Watching 'Pokémon Detective Pikachu'

Pokemon Detective Pikachu is the latest western adaptation of a video game license of the same name. It is also the first live action property based on the Pokemon franchise. The film is directed by Rob Letterman, who previously directed Monsters vs. Aliens and Shark Tale. The film stars Ryan Reynolds, Justice Smith, Ken Watanabe, Kathryn Newton, and Bill Nighy, while it was produced by Warner Brothers in association with the Pokemon Company.

The film starts out with a bang, setting up the mystery right away. (If one can go so far as to call it a mystery at all.) As far as the narrative goes, it is quite simple and is spelled out clearly in the various trailers. Justice Smith's character and Pikachu are trying to solve the mystery of the disappearance of his father and finding Pikachu's memory. There have been countless films with the same basic narrative in regards to the mystery aspect of the film, and one could easily figure it all out before you even reach the midway point of the film. However, the strengths of the film are not with the mystery, but in the relationship between Justice Smith's character and Ryan Reynolds as Pikachu. As the film carries on, there is a visible growth in their relationship and an evolution to their dynamic.

The rest of the characters are quite one note in comparison. That being said, it seems as if each of the cast members is making things as fun as possible. It is something that permeates through every frame of this film, the sense of overall fun, even in the emotional scenes. What's more, once you get to Ryme City, there is a plethora of different Pokemon throughout the city ranging from the original generation one Pokemon to the more contemporary Pokemon. As such, if you are a Pokemon fan, it is a joy to watch as you get to see all the Pokemon you have seen through the games, anime, and the card game on the big screen.

The film was wonderful to look at as it had a bright and vivid color palate that made it pleasing to look at. In addition, the CGI work that had gone into the Pokemon was wonderful, as it felt as if this world has had Pokemon living in it for ages. There were a few occasions when the humans interacted with the Pokemon and the Pokemon did not seem physical on the screen; however, those moments were very rare.

This film has so much lore, Easter eggs, and references inside of it that two Pokemon fans could spend hours talking about them. Something that I actively have to prevent myself from doing, so that those of you who are reading can go into the film and discover them for yourselves.

In closing, I would say that Pokemon Detective Pikachu is a predictable film, with so many plot twists it actually becomes comical as they are the most common of twists in a mystery. Yet, I would not change any of it because of the way they brought the various Pokemon to the big screen, the relationship between Justice Smith's character and Ryan Reynolds as Pikachu, and the sheer level of fun that was in the film.

This is a film that I highly recommend to fans of the Pokemon property, and an experience I encourage you to have in the cinema. As far as the casual audience member goes, it is a film I recommend you give a chance once it is available on TV or on Netflix.