Pokemon Detective Pikachu (2019)

In a world where people collect Pokémon to do battle, a boy comes across an intelligent talking Pikachu who seeks to be a detective.

Jess' Review

I’m twenty-four years old and I have no shame in saying that I love pokémon. I grew up with it. Playing the games, collecting the cards and watching all of the movies and series like a good, aspiring trainer. Alas, there are no pokémon and real life sucks. But today’s film was a little taste of what such a world could’ve been.

Detective Pikachu sees Tim (Justice Smith) teaming up with his father’s partner, Pikachu (voiced by Ryan Reynolds) to solve the mystery of his father’s untimely death. The setting is Ryme City, bustling with technology and a whole host of pokémon inhabitants.

I took great delight in pointing out all the fun background characters, testing my knowledge of the later generations as much as admiring the realistic design revamps. And it is these visual effects that helm this movie. The depiction of these creatures is fantastic. And whilst I notice the selection is limited - where were the Vulpix? Ekans?! - the designers’ reimagining of the pokémon is great. A bit unsettling at times, but I suppose some of them would be in fairness.

But aside from this, there isn’t a lot going on. The plot is fast-moving with plenty of action and excitement, but there isn’t much heart. The acting feels wooden to me, and there are plot-holes aplenty. But it seems forgivable on an account of two reasons, 1. I believe that the film is targeted at families (and to an extent, children) and 2. It’s main selling-point is the gimmick of realising a much-loved franchise in a different world. And on both counts, I’m sure it delivers. But to a grown-ass woman looking for more intrigue and depth, regrettably it’s unsatisfying.

Ryan Reynold’s Pikachu delivers some great lines reminiscent of a PG Deadpool, but there is little else in the way of comedy. I chuckled a few times, but too often I found myself commenting ‘that’s cool’ to a beat-boxing Loudred. The plot is weak and the twists seem lazy. But despite this, I did enjoy Detective Pikachu. It was fun. Though I would’ve liked just a little more.

5.5/10

Bonus Content: Jess’ Pokemon Team -

Gyarados, Scyther, Arcanine, Jolteon, Arbok, Golduck

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Sam's Review

When I was 10 years old, I begged my mum to move to Pallet Town, in the hope that I could realise my dreams as a Pokemon Master. Finding out that not only did Pallet Town not exist, but neither did pokemon, had me distraught for weeks. Suffice to say, watching a Pikachu come to life was a blast for me.

This is a difficult review to write. I loved the film, but try as I might, I struggle to recall what it did well. Ryan Reynolds' Pikachu, a brazen pokemon suddenly imbued with speech that only Tim Goodman (Justice Smith) can hear, carries the dialogue. Aside from his witty one-liners, the script is clunky. If it wasn't for Reynolds the film wouldn't work. The guy is magnetic, and pours his signature charm into the yellow-furred pokemon he voices.

While the film aims to be an emotionally charged story of a man trying to solve his father's death, it misses the mark. It's bland, lingering at average rather than reaching for good. And while it moves at a steady pace for the most part, at times it needs to relax and allow Tim to settle into an emotion, opposed to bouncing from one to the next with very little reason. Smith's acting felt wooden, but that could be due to the film speeding past times he might have been able to show his range.

But Sam, I hear you say, you said that you loved the film?! I know what I said, and I stand by my words. I wasn't there for the story, I was there for the pokemon. The childlike innocence the film pulled out of me was in awe of the vibrant world they had crafted. While the visual effects are constrained by the design of the pokemon, unable to look totally real, the VFX team do a heroic job. The look as realistic as possible. Not only impressive, but a joy to behold for someone who has been a fan of the series.

Also, the backing track blends the quirky music from the video games with something more fitting a film, which works well but also has a nostalgic depth to it.

Is it a great movie? Technically, no. Yet it feels like one. It has me enthralled, pulling me into it's world with ease. Mixed with Reynolds' charisma and the closest thing that we have to real pokemon, it's a winning formula. If you're not a 90's baby that grew up on the games, this film may not resonate the same way. But if you did, it's a must see.

7/10

(Nostalgia aside, 6/10)