'Detective Pikachu' early reviews: A fun-filled adventure with Ryan Reynolds
Over time, Hollywood has released multiple films based on popular media franchises, especially video games. Only a few could achieve box office success. It was like a curse! With Detective Pikachu (possibly the best ever Pokémon film), the curse seems to have been lifted as it's the right mix of Pikachu's charm and Ryan Reynold's talents. Here's our compilation of the film's early reviews.
A mystery unfolding in a Pokémon-filled world
A detective, Harry Goodman goes mysteriously missing, and his 21-year-old son Tim (Justice Smith) sets to find out the reason. He is aided by Harry's former partner, Detective Pikachu (Reynolds). The two seem to have a connection as Tim is the only one who can understand Pikachu. The movie trails this mystery in Ryme City, a place where humans and Pokémon peacefully coexist.
Pokémon! Pokémon everywhere!
Nearly every frame contains the adorable creatures (yes, even Mister Mime) in some form or the other. Some Pokémon, like Pikachu, Jigglypuff, and Bulbasaur have a more prominent presence, while many others can be found in the background, probably for the ardent fans to notice. The human characters feel a tad underused but the Pokémon (and Reynolds' voice) more than make up for it.
The film wants to do more than please the fans
Pokémon is one of the largest media franchises in the world but is relatively less popular. It became a rage after the release of Pokémon Go and this film kind of aims to take the franchise to a larger audience. This is perhaps the reason why it doesn't delve much in worldbuilding. The main purpose seems to introduce the phenomenon to a wider audience.
Reynold's Pikachu is a tamer version of his Deadpool
Each time Pikachu comes on screen, you can't help but smile; partly because the character is super adorable but mostly because of Ryan Reynolds' acting. It gives you some serious Deadpool vibes and the film would have been mediocre without Reynolds' part. This is a movie made for kids and teens but Reynolds, with his veiled jokes and innuendoes, makes it worthwhile for adults.
Possibility of a new universe or multiverse?
Every big film today comes with the possibility of having its own universe or a shared multiverse with other, similar films. You have the MCU, DCEU, WB's Monster Universe with Godzilla, and even The Mummy's dark universe. It is possible that with Detective Pikachu, the showrunners are planning an entirely new universe that can incorporate more characters and stories from the franchise.
