★
In a world where people collect Pokémon to do battle, a boy comes across an intelligent talking Pikachu who seeks to be a detective.
Classification: PG
Very few films have me begging for the sweet release of death but Pokémon Detective Pikachu effortlessly joins the ranks with the worst of the worst with its atrocious script, dreadful editing and embarrassing performances. In what should have been a creative realisation of one gaming’s most unique worlds comes a rambling, non-sensical joke of a movie. Ryan Reynolds stars as the titular character and while his quick wit mixes well with Pikachu’s adorable character design, the schtick soon wears thin as it becomes the director’s only crutch to keep the film afloat.
Reynolds, unfortunately, is the only highlight of the cast as the rest of the performers fall victim to poor scripting. The writing is filled with clichés, confusing plot devices and expository dialogue that is hurled at you so often it feels like a brick being hurled at your head. Justice Smith and Kathryn Newton are the human leads and their performances are grating as they juggle the exposition and their tedious backstories in scenes that will have you itching for the exit. Veteran actors Ken Watanabe and Bill Nighy are given next to nothing to work with, their appearances her feeling shallow as they barely react to the story happening before them.
One of the biggest issues with Pokémon Detective Pikachu is the establishment of the world of Ryme City and the integration of the creatures themselves. While the designs of the Pokémon appear faithful with appearances from the odd Squirtle or Jigglypuff garnering a laugh or a feeling of endearment. Beyond that, the Pokémon just feels like set dressing, that this isn’t a world cohabited by fantastical creatures and instead just establishing shots filled with as many monsters as possible. This lack of proper immersion makes the story even more rough to follow which is a feat considering Detective Pikachu’s laughable third act.
The few moments when the film’s elements come into unison does show the potential of the Pokémon universe on-screen but director Rob Letterman fails to craft an engaging and cohesive story for any of those moments to latch on to. Letterman and the screenwriters also allow the most ridiculous elements to overtake the narrative from the dramatic reveals involving the antagonists to the conclusions that leave much to be desired. Editors Mark Sanger and James Thomas aren’t able to do a better job, with scenes cutting back and forth from present to flashback constantly, dull and lifeless action sequences and laborious pacing. Special shoutout to Pokémon Detective Pikachu’s constant use of having characters explain every minutia of plot development to themselves just to make sure, we the audience understood where the film is going but of course, at this point, we’ve all stopped caring.
There’s nothing worse than a disappointing film, Pokémon Detective Pikachu clearly had elements of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? and Zootopia in its veins but decided to go for the most foolish of executions. Rob Letterman merely throws the Pokémon into our world and expects them to mesh, instead these iconic creatures are left deserving so much more with filmmakers who can tell their stories properly. If Pokémon is to have a future on the silver screen it must be done with a stronger and more innovative approach, which is what Pokémon Detective Pikachu desperately needed.
Director: #RobLetterman
Cast: #RyanReynolds, #JusticeSmith, #KathrynNewton, #SukiWaterhouse, #OmarChaparro, #ChrisGeere, #KenWatanabe, #BillNighy
Release Date: May 10th 2019.
Trailer:
Written review copyright ©CoreyBullochReviews
Images and Synopsis from the Internet Movie Database
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