Pokémon Detective Pikachu (Film Review)

Alright people, let’s make this clear.  

I was born in the 90s.  I got my first Pokémon Trading Card Starter Set when I was seven after my mom gave my brother and I the choice over that and ice cream.  Soon after, I received Pokémon Red as my first video game.  Then my brother received Pokémon Yellow, though I micromanaged everything he did and eventually just flat out took the game for myself.  I watched the Pokémon anime daily on 4Kids.  I knew and still know all the Pokémon 2.B.A. Master songs by heart.  I went to see all three theatrical releases of Pokémon: The First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back, Pokémon The Movie 2000, and Pokémon 3: Spell of the Unknown.  I own all three of these films on VHS.  I collected nearly every Pokémon card from the first two generations.  One of my most precious, nostalgic memories from childhood is my dad hiding new cards around the house so my brother and I could hunt for Pokémon.

I played Red and Yellow at least a million hours, and when I got Gold and usurped Silver from my brother, I played both (I would switch between them on each new play-through until their internal clocks stopped working) at least a million more.  It’s not an understatement to say that between 2000-2004, Pokémon became my religion.  Even when my generation was growing out of the “Pokémon craze” I continued playing the new games—I got both Ruby and Sapphire for myself as my brother had by then grown out of Pokémon (possibly because I kept taking the games from him)—and watching the TV show.  I may not be as overzealous a Pokémon fan now as I was back then, but I still love the franchise.  Pikachu is my main in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (as he’s often been in past Smash games), I love singing the English Pokémon theme song whenever at Karaoke (or just in general), and I will be getting the upcoming eighth generation games (Sword and Shield) when they release on the Nintendo Switch.

Essentially, I’m a tiny bit biased towards Pokémon content, especially content from the late 90s to early 2000s.  And wouldn’t you know it?  That’s exactly who Pokémon Detective Pikachu is catered to.

I can say for certainty that an impartial review to Pokémon Detective Pikachu is impossible.  I know this because I love Detective Pikachu despite the story being generic at best, and a complete mess at worst.  The editing and pacing are all over the place, jarringly cutting at times with no flow or sense of impact.  Smart characters make stupid choices for no reason other than plot-convenience—such as splitting up during dangerous situations, not capturing/eliminating obstacles when given the chance, etc.  And then the film expects its viewers to already be at least semi-versed in Pokémon’s lore.

 

Going to see Detective Pikachu with little to no knowledge of the series is similar to seeing The Avengers without having seen any previous MCU films—you may still have a fun, entertaining time, but you will certainly be confused along the way.  Detective Pikachu is not a film aimed for newcomers to the Pokémon universe—it is aimed at Pokémon fans, and at that, fans from the original craze.  There’s a scene where Mewtwo is noted to be the strongest Pokémon in existence.  Back in the 90s Mewtwo certainly was, but here that statement is a little silly and very ironic considering a statue of Arceus—the literal God of the Pokémon universe who created their world—is right behind them during said scene.  The catering focus is a damn shame, as Detective Pikachu could have been the gateway film for general audience newcomers to properly learn about, and possibly even get into Pokémon.

As a love letter to Pokémon enthusiasts (especially us 90s kids), however, Detective Pikachu is just great.  I enjoyed the film from start to finish.  Every time my critical side would nag, “Well this doesn’t make sense. Why did they let them go?”, my Pokéfan side would respond, “Oh shut up, won’t you!  Look, Pikachu’s singing the theme song!!!”  There are so many nods, so many Easter Eggs, so many lovely little references to the games and anime.  The way they made the Pokémon more realistic yet keep their endearing features intact without going into the uncanny valley is truly impressive.  The film's main city is an absolute treat to view, seeing humans and Pokémon interact together through various creative and entertaining ways.  Unfortunately, the film does not have enough time to explore its world to a satisfying degree, though that only gives future potential for possible sequels.

So, I’m split here.  My critical side is saying no, but my Pokéfan side is saying yes, yes, yes!  There is a saving grace that works for both angles, however, and that’s everything involving Ryan Reynolds.  Reynold’s coffee-addicted, wisecracking, snarky yet softhearted Pikachu is this ideal blend of cynical and sweet.  It’s PG Deadpool, stuck in the body of an adorable yellow rodent.  The two sides complement each other surprisingly well—far more than I ever expected—creating this hilariously adorable, endearing creature.  Reynold’s Pikachu is entertaining regardless of being a Pokémon fan or not.  There’s also a lot of heart between Reynold’s Pikachu and his relationship with the film’s lead human Tim Goodman (Justice Smith)—with the two sharing some genuinely touching scenes.  While Detective Pikachu’s mystery aspect is mostly run-of-the-mill, there is a solid twist involving Reynold’s Pikachu that’s given some great hindsight clues.  Kudos, especially to a certain

hint involving the female lead Lucy (Kathryn Newton) that initially comes across as a weird moment, yet is actually an ingenious clue.

Detective Pikachu is a must see for all 90s kids who loved—or still love—Pokémon.  The film should also be fun and entertaining for all Pokémon fans in general.  For the rest, it’s a fifty-fifty chance you’ll either find it enjoyable enough—most likely thanks to Reynold’s Pikachu—or come out of the theaters pissed off.  Either way, you’re going to be confused somewhere along the line.  Nonetheless, history is in the making here with Detective Pikachu, being the first video game adapted film to just barely get a fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.  As a Pokémon fan, I’m happy, and I’m crossing my fingers for future sequels that expand upon the world and improve upon the story.