Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019)
Director: Rob Letterman
Watched: 7/31/19 (Dollar Theater)
Rating: 2.5/5
**** Spoilers ****
The Good:
- Impressive looking CGI Pokémon, especially in movement and even when talking.
- Let’s be honest. All Pokémon fans have at some point imagined what catching one in real life would feel and look like (Pokémon Go, anyone?). And a Pokémon battle (Pokémon cards? Nintendo?). Or maybe even something like having a conversation with Mr. Mime. Or sitting in a bar with that Jigglypuff that won’t cease with its lullabying singing. Lo and behold, here are your imaginations- no longer only in your mind’s eye!
- A fun and heartfelt story- a young man, estranged from his father since childhood, finally has the opportunity to find out how much he really cares about him and to mend their relationship.
The Bad:
- Deadpool is great. Pikachu is great. Deadpool’s personality is great. Pikachu’s personality is great (yes, even if he does not talk, he does have one). Deadpool’s personality in a Pikachu? Not so great.
- Weird ending revealing that Pikachu lent his body to Tim’s dying father, inexplicable need for a temporary holding place until the son returned, the necessary ingredient for Mew to bring him back to life in original form?
- An imagined discussion between director and writers: “Let’s see. How can we explain really unlikely events to the audience, really easily? Like lowest common denominator easy. How about the female love interest uncovers the intel during her undercover research? Nah. Too sophisticated. How about that shady Pokémon character accidentally lets something slip? Nah. Not quite lowest common denominator. I know! How about this magical hologram thing so that we can flaunt our cool special effects that simply replays whatever event in history you want to show you what ‘they don’t want us to see’? That’s ingenious- win-win situation! But wouldn’t that be difficult to explain? Nah, the audience doesn’t need to know. Alright, perfect!”
- Too long. As mentioned, extra time for special effects, cute characters, self-indulgent scenes, and other such meretriciousness.
The Cute:
- Pikachu singing the awesome theme song: “I wanna be the very best, like no one ever was/To catch them is my real test, to train them is my cause…”
- All the most popular Pokémon characters come to life, and they are charming and endearing.
- Pikachu. is. so. cute.
- I want to hug the screen, he’s so adorable!