In a world where people collect Pokémon to do battle, a boy comes across an intelligent talking Pikachu who seeks to be a detective.
For legions of fans of the 1990s Pokémon craze, this first live adaptation of the Pokémon Franchise is a great leap of faith in legitimizing the semi-chaotic life of Detective Pikachu whose mere existence is to put Rhyme City on the map and to create an atmosphere where kids lose their ever-loving mind traveling to unknown places characterized by unknown clues.
As the film opens, twenty-one-year-old Tim Goodman (Justice Smith) receives the tragic news that his father, Detective Harry Goodman (Ryan Reynolds), has been killed in a car accident. His immediate task is to travel to Rhyme City and tie up all loose ends as it relates to his father’s business. The fact that he and his father weren’t close leaves open a multitude of unanswered questions and ultimately, Tim starts receiving mixed messages about his father’s existence and he is forced to deal with the fact that there has possibly been a cover-up, and that his father may still be alive. While Tim thinks he must face this mystery of his father’s life alone, Detective Pikachu is relentless in providing information that Tim can use to fill in the gaps of relationships that his father had and research that he may have been involved with that could have put his life in danger. Pikachu’s unwavering allegiance to Detective Harry Goodman clearly gives him the upper hand as Tim proves he needs someone with experience and loyalty in order to get beyond the obstacles that face them. Reporter Lucy Stevens (Kathryn Nelson) with her unconventional theories, round out the trio and proves to be an invaluable asset to the team that turns Rhyme City on is head.
Throughout the film, the furry yellow ball of excitement known as Detective Pikachu has to deal with his own insecurities and self-worth as he tries to maintain a mission of integrity while foregoing the need to put his emotions in check. Director Rob Letterman has taken a simple storyline of love and loss and has creatively arranged a technically advanced animation background to bring the characters and their evil fascinations to life. He should consider the success of this project a giant step in the leap to continue this forum of live-action adaption while reprising the addictive nature of Pokémon that still woefully engages legions of followers albeit any storyline that truly brings the elements of childhood fun, mystery, and adult adventure together.
Available on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, and DVD Special Edition August 6th
