Let me start by saying that I am not a big Pokemon fan, it was more my baby sister and brother’s thing at the time. Of course, there was that famous series of fights over a Mewtwo toy that they both fought for so passionately, as kids often do.
Flash forward to some twenty or so years later, and we have our first live action Pokemon movie on the big screen. When the first trailers came out, people weren’t so sure whether to love or hate the character designs, plus they didn’t know what to think about Ryan Reynolds voicing a Detective version of the beloved Pikachu. All people could hear of course was Deadpool’s voice, and yes, the countless Pikachu-Deadpool memes were born. Turns out, Reynolds also does the facial mocap for Pikachu, so let’s give credit where credit is due.
As more trailers and clips came out, featuring more Pokemon, and more teasers from the movie, the tide of the people’s opinion shifted and the jury was out – the Internet loved them all!
Suddenly, everybody couldn’t get enough of this furry Pikachu, even if he did sound like Deadpool. While watching the film though, you forget that he practically uses the same voice as the Merc-with a mouth because Reynolds becomes Detective Pikachu. Impressive performance (voice and mocap) and you as an audience just won’t be able to get enough of the fast talking and uber cute yellow mouse.
The anticipation to see this film was infectious and I caught it as well, especially when early reviews came out, most of them positive and some even saying that it’s the first game to break the “video game to movie adaptation curse”.
Tim Goodman (Justice Smith) lives a mundane life, with a mundane job in Insurance. Even in a world where there is Pokemon, he doesn’t have one (How can you not?!) nor can he seem to catch one.
His adventure begins, when he gets a call from the Ryme City Police Department where his estranged father works. On the train ride to Ryme City, an important infomercial is played, in it, it is explained why Ryme City is different from other cities. This is because, while Pokemon can be captured in other places (with Poke-balls and such) and are featured in Pokemon battles. Ryme City is unique because Pokemon are free and co-exist with humans peacefully. This is good news for the audiences, because we get to see Pokemon in their natural state, not necessarily habitat per say but they’re free and roaming around, interacting with humans and fellow Pokemon, instead of staying in Poke-balls and only coming out when summoned.
Upon arriving in Rhyme City, Tim learns that his father Harry was in a car accident and has gone missing. While Tim, who once dreamed of becoming a Pokemon trainer is simply set on putting his father’s affairs in order, things go out the window when he meets his father’s pokemon partner, a wise cracking, coffee addicted Pikachu and turns out they can understand each other!
The two form an unlikely partnership and set out to investigate Harry’s disappearance, only to stumble across a bigger story that could change the fate of Ryme City and all of its Human and Pokemon inhabitants!
Despite my very basic knowledge of Pokemon, I honestly enjoyed it. It had Solid world building, great use of CGI and overall color grading of the film was easy on the eyes. It had this beautiful neon noir hint to it. Characters seemed like they came right out of a manga. Lucy Stevens (Kathryn Newton) an eager intern tired of writing listicles and wanting to cover a breaking story, reminded me of the same high level energy, eager to impress female anime characters. Even her style when she’s not in the newsroom, a red cap, with side tails and a matching red jacket are very reminiscent to the same fashion style and character design of Pokemon. Plus her Psyduck is just too cute (I want one).
The Production Design was very detailed and looked very “lived in” one particular walking scene I liked was set in an alley with all sorts of different street foods being sold, along of course with Pokemon helping their street vendor partners. It seemed so authentic and real that you can just jump in the screen and order a hot meal.
Don’t worry, just because the humans and the Pokemon live harmoniously doesn’t mean we don’t get to see some pretty cool Pokemon battles, because we do, so hold on your horses.
Nice twist in the end got me all teary eyed.
(8/10) Must watch if you grew up to Pokemon, especially if you’re a fan, but don’t worry you don’t need to be an avid Pokemon fan to enjoy it-I did!