Pokemon Detective Pikachu

Pokemon Detective Pikachu

Starring Ryan Reynolds, Justice Smith, Kathryn Newton, Bill Nighy

Directed by Rob Letterman

The Story:
Young Tim Goodman (Justice Smith) is a loner who doesn't have many friends and lives a life of regret due to past mistakes, but when he finds out that his detective father Harry mysteriously disappeared, he returns to his old home in Ryme City to find out what happened.  He meets Pikachu (Ryan Reynolds), a Pokemon who used to be Harry's partner, and is shocked to learn he can understand him, as it seems Pokemon and humans can never interact.

Pikachu convinces Tim to investigate the disappearance, and also enlists his help to find the memories he lost himself.  They bring in young reporter intern Lucy (Kathryn Newton) who's been investigating a strange rash of Pokemon attacks, and investigate Howard Clifford (Bill Nighy), the brainchild behind Ryme City and bringing together Pokemon and humans.  As they unravel the mystery, they come under attack by various Pokemon and learn that there's several twists and turns to the tale.

The Synopsis:
I'll readily admit I have absolutely no idea what Pokemon is, and the only characters I know of are ones I could play as in the different Super Smash Bros. iterations.  I know somewhat about Pikachu, Jigglypuff, Charizard, Greninja, Mewtwo and others, but mostly just by name and physical identity - so for me, this wasn't a film high up on my list to see, although I was curious as to how they would handle making a live-action film based on a very ridiculous premise.  I found myself pleasantly entertained, and the film had a lot going for it including Ryan Reynolds, some amazing CGI, and beautiful scenery, and while the story itself was rather simplistic and obvious, I was still drawn in to the very end.

In a world where Pokemon and humans co-exist side-by-side, it seems that the best of both worlds have finally been achieved after decades of duels and battles.  But there's a seedy underbelly that threatens that harmony, as a mysterious man-made toxin turns Pokemon into feral creatures who attack their human partners.  In the midst of this, young Tim searches for his missing detective father who might've uncovered the conspiracy with the help of his father's Pokemon, whom only he can understand - something that shocks both Pikachu and Tim equally, since before that moment no Pokemon and human could ever communicate verbally.

Ryan Reynolds voices the most famous Pokemon, and it's the most obvious actor for the role.  Reynolds has a natural charm that oozes from his voice, and gives the lovable yellow creature a life all its own, providing some hilarious jokes only adults will understand, while also portraying a sense of deep-seeded doubt and personal conflict, even though he suffers from amnesia.  Reynolds brings levity to even the most stressful moments (like going toe-to-toe against a doped-up Charizard) and will have you laughing, even if the younger ones won't understand what he's saying.

The film's CGI is the second highest-selling point, as they manage to really incorporate the Pokemon into the real world in a way that comes off as totally believable, and gives these long-loved Pokemon their true moment to shine in the real world.  The effects are top notch, and really add to the sense of believably to an otherwise nonsensical theme, and the cityscape of Ryme City is equally as inspired.  It's like "Blade Runner" for children, but even adults can appreciate the lavish high-rises and hidden gems of the classic city, and there's not a negative thing I can say about it.

When it comes to the story, it's rather dumbed down so it can reach a wider audience, but ends up leveling out on both ends, leaving something that's enjoyable on its preface, but not one that requires multiple viewings to catch the small nuances you missed.  They try to throw several misdirections, but since the film is geared moreso for a younger audience, it's not hard to read between the lines.

Justice Smith does a decent job as Tim, a young man who's searching for his father, but he doesn't show a lot of emotion.  It's obviously due to his previously strained relationship with his father, but he looks as stressed in finding his father as he is finding a missing shoe.  Likewise, Kathryn Newsom exists solely for exposition, as she serves as the woman on the inside who knows things that Tim needs to know, and has enough spunk to balance Tim's by-the-books nature - but at least her Pokemon is cute, albeit a bit annoying and - as Pikachu even said - the worst choice for a sidekick, since a Psyduck literally blows up when its stressed.  Bill Nighy rounds out the general cast as the founder of Ryme City, who brought Pokemon and humans together, and has a strained relationship with his son who seemingly has different plans for the future.

The film is safe, which is sad because it could've reached the heights of absurdity that the premise allowed for, but instead played it close to the vest, trying to be a classic detective film wrapped up on a classic children's game.  It doesn't really take a totally awesome side or totally awful one, but rather flatlines and becomes a stoic, simple, forgettable outing for such iconic characters.

The Synopsis:
Blending beautiful CGI with live-action seems old hat nowadays, and "Pokemon Detective Pikachu" carries this new tradition by incorporating classic video game characters to the real world and provides a passable detective story with the added plus of Ryan Reynolds voicing the iconic Pikachu.

The Score: A-