Today’s quick review: Pokemon Detective Pikachu. After his father Harry, a police detective, dies in a car crash, Tim Goodman (Justice Smith) travels to Ryme City, a city where humans and Pokemon work together, to wrap up his affairs. There Tim runs into his father’s former partner: a talking Pikachu (Ryan Reynolds) with amnesia who insists Harry isn’t dead. To find his father, Tim must work with Pikachu to solve his father’s final case.
Pokemon Detective Pikachu is a family comedy adventure based on the video game from Nintendo. Pokemon Detective Pikachu marks the live-action debut of the Pokemon universe, bringing dozens of the colorful monsters to life using modern CGI. The movie provides an inventive take on the world of Pokemon and makes good use of Ryan Reynolds’ comedic talents. However, a mediocre plot and supporting cast temper the story’s effectiveness.
Pokemon Detective Pikachu has two major draws: Pokemon and Ryan Reynolds. The film goes to great lengths to adapt the franchise for the big screen, inventing a bustling metropolis with as many Pokemon as humans. Series staples like battles, gyms, and Poke Balls are either absent or downplayed. Instead the film focuses on the relationship between humans and Pokemon, though it squeezes in a fair amount of action as well.
Ryan Reynolds carries the film on the comedy side, delivering a spirited performance and jokes that hit from unexpected directions. Justice Smith makes for a serviceable straight man as Tim Goodman, but he’s a shade too serious and too passive to drive the film on his own. The rest of the cast includes Bill Nighy and Ken Watanabe in supporting roles, plus Kathryn Newton as a young reporter interested in Tim’s case, but none of them are outstanding.
Pokemon Detective Pikachu has a few other issues that keep it from reaching its full potential. The plot works well enough for a kids’ movie, but it has to spoon-feed clues to Tim and Pikachu to keep things moving. Subtle issues with the direction keep a few of the jokes from landing the way they could. The realistic CGI is also a double-edged sword. Not every Pokemon makes the transition gracefully, though the film makes a credible effort.
Pokemon Detective Pikachu is worth a shot for any fans of the Pokemon series who are willing to give the film’s special effects and setting a chance. The film doesn’t excel at action or storytelling, but its unique world and entertaining humor make it a fun pick nonetheless. Those who are less familiar with the Pokemon franchise should approach with caution; even though the setting is novel, the film is easier to follow if you know the Pokemon.
For a family comedy adventure with a bustling setting and some of the same energy, try Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. For a much darker comedy with a similar plot and more action, try Venom.
7.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it the same for an excellent comedic lead, a creative world, and a mediocre story.