Elementary initiation to Pokémon universe
Confession time; whether going back to its introduction in 1995 or watching people frantically searching every location imaginable to capture characters using their mobiles a couple of year ago, the whole Pokémon craze has passed me by.
I don’t know my Pikachus from my Charizards – I had to Google that second name – so I approached this first live-action movie in the series with a certain level of trepidation.
Still, hearing Ryan Reynolds’ familiar tones voicing the titular character set my mind at ease to an extent.
And the plot – a search for a missing person led by Pikachu and Justice Smith’s Tim – is relatively easy to follow for nonaficionados.
That’s despite the fact there are no fewer than eight – yes, eight – writers credited on the story.
After a very rocky start (Monsters vs. Aliens, Gulliver’s Travels), director Rob Letterman proved he can do family entertainment very well with the first Goosebumps movie.
Detective Pikachu isn’t as good but has enough going for it to satisfy audiences, not least a visually dazzling aesthetic that makes use of bright neon and a very good punt at the often tricky live-action and CGI mash-up.
Reynolds’ wise-cracking work is nothing new but still entertains and Smith recovers well from his pretty unbearable turn in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.
There are also fun appearances from Bill Nighy (Howard), Ken Watanabe (Lieutenant Yoshida) and Rita Ora (Dr Laurent).
A lot of the film’s better moments feel copy and pasted from other flicks, though, and you can clearly see where it’s all heading long before the rushed ending.
This won’t make me dash out to buy any Pokémon trading cards or video games, then, but it’s not the confusing, ear-bashing nightmare I initially feared. Olivia Colman scooped the Best Actress Oscar for her memorable turn as Queen Anne.
ButYorgos Lanthimos is just as worthy of honours as he helms another quirky, original and brave drama.