Plot Summary:
Detective Pikachu is about a young man whose detective father disappears and the only clue that he has is a talking Pikachu with amnesia.
It will undoubtedly appeal to younger Pokemon fans who are simply excited at the prospect of seeing their favorite characters on the big screen, but the storytelling and ultimate resolution are less satisfying than expected. On the other hand, Pikachu is hilarious and the film has quite a few entertaining moments along the way. Not a bad film but not terrific either.
Other Reasons to Watch:
- Ryan Reynolds was a Perfect Pikachu: While a lot different than the Pikachu we remember from the original cartoon, for the purposes of this story, Ryan Reynolds gave us exactly what was needed. His comedic timing, combined with great screenwriting, produced a dynamite comedic character!
- Some Hilarious, Laugh Out Loud Scenes Throughout: There were definitely scenes that landed really well, such as an interrogation of Mr. Mime, that were both clever and hilarious.
- Not Great Acting: While Ryan Reynolds brings a lively and entertaining character to the screen as the coffee drinking, wise-cracking Pikachu, the rest of the acting in the film leaves something to be desired.
- Some Pacing Issues: Especially in the latter half of the film, the story wasn't compelling enough to hold my attention and I found myself checking my watch more frequently then I would have liked.
- Some Language: While it wasn't jarring, wildly inappropriate expletives, there were a few PG level words that some parents may want to be aware of before bringing the kids. For more detail, see the "Parents Guide" link below.