Pokemon: Detective Pikachu

I haven't kept up with Nintendo's ever growing list of Pocket Monsters in their Pokemon series in years. I don't even have a Nintendo 3DS to play the latest games. But I still have some interest in the franchise. Pokemon: Detective Pikachu, based on a 3DS game, helps that interest.

So Tim Goodman (Justice Smith) is an ordinary insurance salesman in a world of superpowered Pokemon. His dad, Harry, a detective, is killed in a car crash. Tim leaves Leaventown for Ryme City to settle Harry's affairs. Tim meets his dad's Pikachu, whose perfect English (vocalized by Ryan Reynolds) only he understands. Everyone else hears him squeak his own name (courtesy of his longtime anime voice, Ikue Ohtani). Pikachu is certain that Harry's not dead, so he and Tim set out to solve the mystery.

Joining our heroes is news intern Lucy Stevens (Kathryn Newton) and her permanently-migrained Psyduck. Their investigation leads to "R," a substance which makes Pokemon stronger and feral. It leads to a conspiracy involving Ryme City's founder Howard Clifford (Bill Nighy) and the clone Pokemon Mewtwo (Kotaro Watanabe and Rina Hoshino). Meanwhile, Harry is a lot closer than our heroes realize.

The film's screen story/screenplay is credited to five writers: Nicole Perlman, Dan Hernandez, Benji Samit, Derek Connolly and director Rob Letterman. It's not a complex mystery but it tries. There's plenty of surprising twists and turns as our heroes investigate the conspiracy. There's also a bit of funny detective satire from Detective Pikachu and Lucy's mouths. The villain's endgame is equally silly and creepy. There are a few plot holes but they're easy to navigate around.

And how about the cast? Tim is a likable protagonist. Detective Pikachu is a fun electric mouse. Their chemistry together is entertaining and involving. Their "all is lost moment" in act 2 is somewhat cliche but it's also effective drama. Lucy and her Psyduck are endearing. Clifford is fine. But it's Mewtwo who's the best of the main cast. Of the overall cast? A Mr. Mime, who factors in a goofy interrogation scene.

Let's talk about the technicals. The CGI Pokemon look and feel real. Detective Pikachu, in particular, is as realistically furry as a dog-sized mouse might be. His expressive face bypasses the uncanny valley at lightspeed. Any too obvious effects actually works for the film's advantage. Want an example? The villain's shapeshifting Pokemon Ditto and its creepy eyes present in every form. Production Designer Nigel Phelps deserves praise for making Ryme City out of London. Cinematographer John Matthieson's use of color results in an alluring film noir. The sound designers' best work is fusing Watanabe and Hoshino's voices into the unearthly voice of Mewtwo. Henry Jackman's score fits the film's relatively dark and mysterious tone.

Pokemon: Detective Pikachu requires some familiarity with the franchise. But it won't punish you for unfamiliarity unlike some other video game movies. You'll leave with a basic understanding of the Pokemon world. The film's attention to detail will wow longtime fans. Its 104 minutes go by quickly, perhaps too quickly. I'm ready for a sequel, but I question how they'll handle the film's final twist. 

But until then, at least we have the model for future game movies to build upon. Perhaps the first, true great video game movie is on the horizon. Maybe not this year.