Synopsis
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In a world where people collect pocket-size monsters (Pokémon) to do battle, a boy comes across an intelligent monster who seeks to be a detective.
2019 Directed by Rob Letterman
In a world where people collect pocket-size monsters (Pokémon) to do battle, a boy comes across an intelligent monster who seeks to be a detective.
Joseph M. Caracciolo Jr. Cale Boyter Mary Parent Jessica Derhammer Toshio Miyahara Tsunekazu Ishihara Ali Mendes Don McGowan Hidenaga Katakami Kenji Okubo Hiro Matsuoka Koji Ueda
Detective Pikachu, Meitantei Pikachu, Pokémon: Detective Pikachu, Pokemon - Meisterdetektiv Pikachu
Look: when Pokémon are onscreen, I'm happy. So luckily that's most of the movie.
As someone who still consistently plays Pokemon Go, I was ready to come out of this shoving my middle finger at all the critics faces and slapping a 4 stars on it. But unfortunately I can’t bring myself to do that. In short, it’s like a movie from the early 2000s done right but at the end of the day...it’s still feels like a movie from the early 2000s.
Also not a single Magmar in this whole thing, fuck that.
You could just hear that cinematographer and production designer going “HELL YEAH BLADE RUNNER VIBES!” That 1st AC was having trouble with the focus pulling early on though, wasn’t he?
This is basically a cartoon brought to life onscreen in all the best ways. Super campy, super silly, super cool. Did you really come see the movie called *DETECTIVE PIKACHU* for subtle exposition and believable emotional beats? Nah. You came for a fun world, cute lil monsters, and maybe some cool twists. I got all that, plus the VFX designs were spot-on, the 35mm was really stunning on the big screen and the credits were awesome. Not particularly well-directed in terms of performances or really anything beyond the aesthetic, but it does a good job of introducing the world of Pokèmon while also not treating the audience like they’ve never heard of it.
If Monsters Inc. took place inside Blade Runner, it might look a little like Detective Pikachu. The film is set in a high-tech, neon-lit, hypercolorful world populated by magical creatures called Pokémon. The production and character design, inspired by decades of Pokémon cards, video games, and cartoons, are gorgeous. You will not find a more visually striking children’s movie this year. You will almost certainly find a more entertaining one, though.
Full review at ScreenCrush.
74
Has more similarities with Blow Out than I expected. Genuine in humor and the constant states of familial repair. Just a fun summer romp - wraps up with an *earned* final scene. Basically everything you could want in a concept mystery blockbuster based on trading cards.
I really really really want Pikáchu with the voice of Ryan Reynolds to be mine!!! Aahh he's so cuteeee!!! And oh yeah I also want Ryan Reynolds to be my (spoiler redacted) right now.