by Matt Sernaker, Managing Editor
When the first Pokemon video game was released in 1996, we all wanted to be the very best, like no one ever was. The hit animated series and trading card games continued the Poke-phenomenon further, elevating the story to new levels of popularity. With over a dozen or so animated feature films in the bank, it was only a matter of time until The Pokemon Company ventured into the live action arena. Pokemon: Detective Pikachu has arrived and it is definitely a different cinematic experience than we could have expected.
Based on the popularity of the character and brand recognition, many of us assumed that we would see a real world version of Ash Ketchum and his quest to become a Pokemon Master as the first live action installment in the Pokemon Universe. Ash unfortunately didn’t make the jump to the silver screen. Instead we ended up with a Pokemon mystery revolving around the missing Detective Harry Goodman and his Pikachu partner. After a tragic accident, Tim Goodman (Justice Smith) is in search of answers regarding the death of his father. His quest leads him to Ryme City, where humans and Pokemon live in harmony. While searching through his father’s belongings, he stumbles upon a purple vial and is accidentally exposed to its contents. It is only then that Tim encounters his dad’s amnesiac Pikachu (Ryan Reynolds) and realizes he can understand every word Pikachu is saying! Pika Pika! They partner up to investigate what happened to Harry and Pikachu, and their quest for answers takes them from the dark underbelly of the city to the outer edges of town. How does Junior Reporter Lucy Stevens (Kathryn Newton) know so much about his missing father and the increasingly odd Pokemon attacks happening in Ryme City? What role does the genetically engineered Mewtwo have to do with Harry’s disappearance? How does Ryme City’s benefactor Howard Clifford (Bill Nighly) fit into the Pokemon related crimes? All this and more will be answered in Detective Pikachu!
Pokemon: Detective Pikachu is a bit of a weird movie. The CGI at times comes across as stunning, with extreme detail and thought behind the character designs. While the world as a whole was well conceived, there are times the cinematography seems out of focus. From a storytelling standpoint, the film goes to create lengths to establish the relationship between humanity and Pokemon (digging into the history of this world), but odd creative choices keep the film from soaring. Justice Smith and Ryan Reynolds (as Pikachu) have some entertaining chemistry, but they could only do so much with the story they were given. Reynolds ultimately steals the movie with a constantly quipping Pikachu, who will make kids want a real-life Pokemon that much more. Without going too far into spoiler territory, the plot of the “big bad” was really odd and the use of Mewtwo to achieve their goal was pretty out there, even for a children’s series. The most confusing piece of the film logic ties into the real reason behind Tim and Pikachu’s connection. Once you reach the end of the movie, the reason behind Tim’s ability to understand Pikachu will definitely leave you questioning the creative thought process.
Overall, Pokemon: Detective PIkachu was a fun movie that kids will enjoy. Much like the Toy Story series, there are elements geared more towards adults that kids won’t catch (not a bad thing). Though marketing was directed more towards children, there are story beats that are a bit dark, similar in style to Who Framed Roger Rabbit?. If you enjoyed Deadpool and have an affinity for Pokemon, you will probably enjoy this release.
ComicsOnline gives Pokemon: Detective Pikachu 3.5 out of 5 cups of coffee.
