There’s a long history of movies coming from a game, toy or other source, some of which succeed better than others. Through Lego, Tomb Raider, Battleship, Street Fighter, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Super Mario Bros, to name a few, we’ve seen some highs and some lows. Joining that list is Pokémon Detective Pikachu.
When originally announced, there was some scepticism, but when the trailer appeared, there was a general sense that this could work after all. With Pikachu being voiced by Ryan Reynolds, and a strong cast including Justice Smith (The Get down), Bill Nighy (too many things to mention!), Kathryn Newton (Halt and Catch Fire, Big Little Lies), Suki Waterhouse (Billionaire Boys Club, Assassination Nation), and Ken Watanabe (Godzilla), the signs were promising.
To make this work, they’ve essentially gone down the same path as Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, and placed it in a film noir setting, but with the trappings of a PG friendly Bladerunner. It therefore feels like a bit of a buddy cop movie, in adapted London streets, with the Pokémon elements laid on top.
At the centre of the plot is Tim (Justice Smith), a previously aspiring Pokémon trainer who now works in insurance. When he learns that his estranged, detective Father has died in Ryme City, a haven where Pokémon and humans live and work side by side, he ventures into the city to deal with his father’s affairs. It’s here that he meets Pikachu, who for some reason he can understand and communicate with. Despite Pikachu having lost his memory, he convinces Tim that his father is still alive, and that they should team up to find out what happened.
Generally, the story holds together, and flimsy though it is, is constructed well enough that even if you don’t know anything about Pokémon, you will be able to follow. Not being a Pokémon aficionado, I’m sure there are a number of references and plot points that I missed, but which have extra meaning for true fans, and that should provide some extra goodwill to cover some of the lack of heft.
What is good here though, and their key asset, is Ryan Reynolds, who delivers everything with a dry wit much toned down from, but influenced by Deadpool. There are a significant number of laughs here, even if the hit rate isn’t as high as the trailer suggested. Alongside him, Kathryn Newton (as blog reporter Lucy Stevens), and Justice Smith are a good team, but sadly Suki Waterhouse is underused as Ms Norman, a role that could have been expanded.
Visually, it looks great, and cinematographer John Mathieson has unusually used 35mm, which has given it a distinctive look. The design is also well crafted, with the Bladerunner-inspired environment having a tangible realism that feels solid, albeit not as grimy as the world of Decker.
While I’m not in the target audience, director Rob Letterman (Goosebumps) has delivered a film that will entertain both the younger viewer, and those somewhat older, giving enough nods to the nostalgia to keep all happy. While it doesn’t hit the heights of The Lego Movie for instance, there is still something to enjoy here, and works much more than you thought it would have done.
