Pokémon - Detective Pikachu: Pika. Pika.

Pika. Pika.

Pokémon - Detective Pikachu arrived August 6. It’s on everything from the 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, the Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD. The Digital format appeared early on July 23.

DETECTIVE

The brand of Pokémon launched in 1996. It covers animated films, books, manga comics, music, toys, merchandise and apps.

Detective Pikachu is the first-ever Pokémon movie to have live-action people in the story. The ‘Detective Pikachu’ video game by Creatures Inc. inspired the film.  

As it stands - Detective Pikachu is the most successful movie based on a video game…ever. It grossed over $431 million worldwide. It nudges just past the 2018 release of Rampage starring Dwayne Johnson.   

Detective Pikachu is also (currently) the best-reviewed video game adaptation with critics. It tallied 67% on Rotten Tomatoes. Rampage and Tomb Raider (2018) marked 52% as a comparison.

While the stats say positive signs. It was also competing against Avengers: Endgame when it released in theaters. Which feels like Pikachu got lost in the Marvel buzz.

Rob Letterman directs this story. Tim Goldman (Justice Smith) arrives in Ryme City. He received news his estranged father, Detective Harry Goldman is dead. Tim eventually meets Harry’s Pokémon partner - Detective Pikachu (Ryan Reynolds.) Which, somehow, they can talk to each other. They quickly discover Tim’s father was part of a bigger mystery, which they set out to solve.

The cast is rounded off with Kathryn Newton as Lucy. The supporting cast includes Suki Waterhouse, Omar Chaparro, Chris Geere, Rita Ora, Oscar nominee Ken Watanabe and Nill Nighy.  

The story is by Dan Hernandez, Benji Samit and Nicole Perlman with the screenplay by Hernandez, Samit, Letterman and Derek Connolly. 

TAKE

Would I buy this film? A rainy day selection.

But if you are a Pokémon fan, probably worth the bigger look. 

I wasn’t big on Pokémon in my younger days, so it felt like a weird little movie.

An entire city was created so people and Pokémon can live side-by-side in peace. No battles are allowed. So, it's different from traditional Pokémon in the past.

On top of that is this noir-style which pops up, like it was trying to be a mystery movie from the 1940s. Pikachu even says ‘dame’ at one point.

What what I found made it worthwhile is the voice of Ryan Reynolds. It’s about 20 minutes into the 104 minutes film before Pikachu appears though.

And then there’s Justice Smith. When the realization hits that the majority of Justice’s acting is against nothing. Thought he should get some points for that.      

Ryan has a few good quips, too, that I couldn’t help but laugh. Plus he really makes Pikachu feel like a character. 

But true to the mystery-style, there were a few twists and turns which I did not see coming.

So, while I have never been one for spoilers. Tim arriving in Ryme City is where the movie starts to kick in. The Pokémon make for a colourful and slightly oddball addition. 

Want to find out more of the mystery? You’ll have to watch.

SPECIAL FEATURES OVERVIEW

The Detective Mode is only found on Blu-Ray. And for a limited time, there is even a Pokémon trading card with a Blu-Ray, 4k UHD and DVD buy.

Detective Mode

- It’s best to see the movie before even trying Detective Mode.

This is a neat twist on commentary. There’s pop-up Pokémon trivia and facts, behind-the-scenes footage, trivia and talk of Easter Eggs.

(Easter Egg example - a clip of a detective movie originates from Home Alone.)

Alternate Opening (1 minute, 41 seconds.) 

- A different version of Tim’s introduction at work. But think what’s in the movie is better.

My Pokémon Adventure ( 2 minutes, 13 seconds.)

- Justice Smith tells his love for Pokémon. 

Creating the World of Detective Pikachu reel covers a lot of different ground. There’s the talk of creating the city from the mixture of London and Tokyo plans. There’s the creation of the Pokémon there are about 60 different ones in the entire movie. There’s the talk of the stunts and how Justice acted against nothing. Ryan as Pikachu and what the director wanted to achieve.  

Creating the World of Detective Pikachu: Welcome to Ryme City (2 minutes, 57 seconds.)

Creating the World of Detective Pikachu: Uncovering: Uncovering the Magic (4 minutes, 4 seconds.)

Creating the World of Detective Pikachu: Action (4 minutes, 7 seconds.)

Creating the World of Detective Pikachu: Colourful Characters (6 minutes, 48 seconds.)

Creating the World of Detective Pikachu: Bringing Pokémon to Life (3 minutes and 23 seconds.)

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Mr. Mime’s Audio Commentary (3 minutes.)

- Mr. Mime. Audio. There might be a joke here.

Ryan Reynolds - Outside the Actor’s Studio (1 minute, 32 seconds.)

- The clip was online. Ryan talks about how he took the deep dive of acting as Pikachu.

- Carry On by Rita Ora and Kygo (Music Video) (3 minutes, 51 seconds.) 

Warner Brothers Home Entertainment.