‘Pokemon: Detective Pikachu’ Film Review

Grade: B

Two decades have passed and Pokémania is still sweeping the nation. Fads come and go, but this phenomenon shows no signs of slowing down, as long as there are new creatures and worlds to expand. Its popularity only seemed to go strong with the rise of an app called ‘Pokémon Go’, causing many a lazy butt to go outside and a generation of millenials to become social, yet never have we had a live-action ‘Pokémon’ movie until now. ‘Pokémon: Detective Pikachu’ is just as fun as a movie set in this world could be; elevated by great effects and the charm of Ryan Reynolds as the voice of the electric-type creature.

‘Pokémon: Detective Pikachu’ is mostly set in a town called Ryme City, where humans and pokémon can coexist in peace and harmony a la ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ with cartoon characters and humans. However, unlike the aforementioned film, the creatures are not treated as second-class citizens; they are more-or-less partners to their trainers, willing to help out with tasks and jobs. I.e. serving coffee at a cafe, putting out fires, and solving mysteries; the last one being a profession for our eponymous character whose trainer has mysteriously disappeared. Left with no memory of what happened, Pikachu ends up turning to his trainer’s son, Tim (Justice Smith), to help solve the case.

Though Tim is reluctant at first, he manages to find a friend in the electric mouse-type pokémon as their journey leads them to a conspiracy which could eventually disrupt the balance between humans and pokémon. Joining Tim and Pikachu on the case are Lucy Stevens (Kathryn Newton), a reporter who is always on the prowl for the next interesting story in typical over-the-top movie news reporter fashion, and her Psyduck, a simple-minded psychic/water type resembling a duck.

Though predictable as its formula may be, ‘Pokémon: Detective Pikachu’ is fun, heartwarming, and an all-around good time. If you are a fan of ‘Pokémon, you will not be disappointed.