TEXT VERSION
I think before I start I should mention my bias, in that I
was 5 years old when Pokemon first hit my TV in the 90s, and I knew the
original Red and Blue Gameboy releases inside out, in fact, there was a time I
could recite the gen-1 Pokedex from memory and tell you where any given Pokemon
was, and which version you needed to get it. Kids on the playground used to
come to me before they learned how to use the internet. I haven’t followed it
ever since exactly, had a play of Gold, got back into it around black and white
time, and now take the odd pokemon walk with Pokemon GO, so, I guess you could
say I know a little bit about Pokemon and have a vested interest in this movie,
okay, I think that’s enough context.
was 5 years old when Pokemon first hit my TV in the 90s, and I knew the
original Red and Blue Gameboy releases inside out, in fact, there was a time I
could recite the gen-1 Pokedex from memory and tell you where any given Pokemon
was, and which version you needed to get it. Kids on the playground used to
come to me before they learned how to use the internet. I haven’t followed it
ever since exactly, had a play of Gold, got back into it around black and white
time, and now take the odd pokemon walk with Pokemon GO, so, I guess you could
say I know a little bit about Pokemon and have a vested interest in this movie,
okay, I think that’s enough context.
The first thing I have to say in regards to this movie is “what
a time to be alive.” The fact of this film’s very existence is a marvel in and
of itself to me. If you’d have told me, even a year or two ago that we’d be
getting a live-action Pokemon movie of any sort, set in something close to the
real world, and that not only would it be a good time, but it would also star
Ryan Reynolds as a Pikachu, I’d have told you that whatever you’re on, I want
some. But that sure as hell ended up being the world we live in.
a time to be alive.” The fact of this film’s very existence is a marvel in and
of itself to me. If you’d have told me, even a year or two ago that we’d be
getting a live-action Pokemon movie of any sort, set in something close to the
real world, and that not only would it be a good time, but it would also star
Ryan Reynolds as a Pikachu, I’d have told you that whatever you’re on, I want
some. But that sure as hell ended up being the world we live in.
So as you’ve probably guessed by now, I quite liked
Detective Pikachu. I won’t spoil anything in this review, but I do have to say
that seeing Bill Nighy talk so enthusiastically and straight-faced about
Pokemon is worth the ticket price on it’s own.
Detective Pikachu. I won’t spoil anything in this review, but I do have to say
that seeing Bill Nighy talk so enthusiastically and straight-faced about
Pokemon is worth the ticket price on it’s own.
The film puts me in mind somewhat of the old Scooby Doo
movies in terms of tone, but in the best possible way, this is “the real world,
but with Pokemon in it” and on that note you really should bring a bingo card
of some sort, there are a lot of fun cameos by a lot of different Pokemon. The
story is a pretty straight-forward mystery plot, and the film seems to lean
pretty heavily on the presence of pokemon to be the main distinguishing feature
there, indeed there are one or two
swerves the story takes that are very uniquely “Pokemon” but I like that about
it. If you’re not initiated in the lore of pokemon, that’s not a deal-breaker,
but I feel like you’ll miss out on some of the fun. Even taken independently of
the fandom this is a perfectly serviceable movie, but fortunately it’s one that
knows it’s audience, you’re here first and foremost because it’s a Pokemon
movie, and maybe because Ryan Reynolds is voicing a Pikachu (there is an
in-movie explanation for that by the way, that’s all I’m saying)
movies in terms of tone, but in the best possible way, this is “the real world,
but with Pokemon in it” and on that note you really should bring a bingo card
of some sort, there are a lot of fun cameos by a lot of different Pokemon. The
story is a pretty straight-forward mystery plot, and the film seems to lean
pretty heavily on the presence of pokemon to be the main distinguishing feature
there, indeed there are one or two
swerves the story takes that are very uniquely “Pokemon” but I like that about
it. If you’re not initiated in the lore of pokemon, that’s not a deal-breaker,
but I feel like you’ll miss out on some of the fun. Even taken independently of
the fandom this is a perfectly serviceable movie, but fortunately it’s one that
knows it’s audience, you’re here first and foremost because it’s a Pokemon
movie, and maybe because Ryan Reynolds is voicing a Pikachu (there is an
in-movie explanation for that by the way, that’s all I’m saying)
Justice Smith has pretty good chemistry with Pikachu Ryan
Reynolds, who, I’ll be honest, I was worried was gonna invoke a little too much
Deadpool here, but no, he doesn’t his Pikachu is a little sarcastic, but also
innocent and naïve. And what else should Pikachu be? There are also some
emotional gut-punches that’ll have you forgetting that he’s CGI
Reynolds, who, I’ll be honest, I was worried was gonna invoke a little too much
Deadpool here, but no, he doesn’t his Pikachu is a little sarcastic, but also
innocent and naïve. And what else should Pikachu be? There are also some
emotional gut-punches that’ll have you forgetting that he’s CGI
On the human side, Justice Smith has some good comic timing
of his own, though he doesn’t get many chances to show it, what he does get he
makes good on.
of his own, though he doesn’t get many chances to show it, what he does get he
makes good on.
Kathrin Newton gives a good turn as Lucy, the aspiring reporter
with a Psyduck sidekick, I do kind of wish they’d used the Psyduck voice I
remember though, but that’s just me.
with a Psyduck sidekick, I do kind of wish they’d used the Psyduck voice I
remember though, but that’s just me.
Bill Nighy is…well Bill Nighy, if you know his work you know
what to expect, and he doesn’t disappoint.
what to expect, and he doesn’t disappoint.
The way the pokemon are brought to life has…a little uncanny
valley here or there, but in at least one case I can think of that actually
worked in the favour of the film, and even when it didn’t any given
non-Ryan-Reynolds-voiced Pokemon won’t be on screen for long enough for it to
be a problem.
valley here or there, but in at least one case I can think of that actually
worked in the favour of the film, and even when it didn’t any given
non-Ryan-Reynolds-voiced Pokemon won’t be on screen for long enough for it to
be a problem.
Pokemon: Detective Pikachu is “one for the fans” in every
respect, but not in the way studios say that when they’ve just made a bad film,
this is “for the fans” in the best way possible, if you don’t know your
Pokemon, I imagine it’s still enjoyable, though you might be a little lost, but
if you do, I think you’ll find this film every bit as good as the trailers made
it look. It’s an 8/10 from me, the story’s not winning any awards, but it’s a
LOT of fun, and you should definitely check it out.
respect, but not in the way studios say that when they’ve just made a bad film,
this is “for the fans” in the best way possible, if you don’t know your
Pokemon, I imagine it’s still enjoyable, though you might be a little lost, but
if you do, I think you’ll find this film every bit as good as the trailers made
it look. It’s an 8/10 from me, the story’s not winning any awards, but it’s a
LOT of fun, and you should definitely check it out.
