We’ve all had those days, where we just browse through old songs and pictures, and it just makes us feel good and why shouldn’t it?
It reminds us of a time when life was simpler, regardless of the quality of these little tokens from our past, we just appreciate it for what it is.
That’s exactly what Pokémon: Detective Pikachu banks on.
Before we delve into the review, let’s just address the elephant, or should I say Phanpy in the room *cue: laugh*
The film is based on the adventure spin-off of Pokémon roleplaying games and considering Hollywood’s reputation of ruining films based on videogames, the movie was kind of doomed from the start.
However, the beauty of having little to no expectations out of something can lead to a positive experience and that’s exactly what happened in my case.
The film is a massive blast from the past and utterly reeks of 90’s nostalgia, but that’s exactly what was one of the redeeming qualities of the film; something the makers were excruciatingly aware of.
Hence, they had and took the absolute liberty to steer the plot in whatever direction they pleased and knew that with Pikachu’s face plastered across the scene, the audience would love it no matter what.
A lot of people had reservations about Ryan Reynolds voicing the yellow, furry titular character, but for some reason Deadpool’s brilliant vocal seemed to fit seamlessly with Pikachu.
The movie stars Justice Smith in the lead role as Tim Goodman, an insurance salesman, who was an aspiring Pokémon master at one point, but abandoned his aspirations following his mother’s death and father’s absence.
The youngster is then given the news of his father’s tragic demise in an accident and ends up going to Ryme City, where there is clearly something off about his father’s death as he is accosted by amateur reporter, Lucy Steven and her Psyduck.
The main lead the proceeds to go through his father’s belonging and as he marinates in his daddy issues he finds a vial of fume-like serum called R and then runs into an amnesiac Pikachu who wears a sherlock hat, in case you don’t miss that he’s a detective.
The Pikachu was Tim’s his father’s partner and for some odd reason, he is able to community with Tim while sounding like his regular Pika-Pika self to others.
From this point, both Tim and embark on an adventure to crack the mystery of his father’s death and end up unravelling a sinister plot behind it all – I am throwing in words like mystery and sinister, when in reality it’s anything but that.
The story is fairly predictable and it is the sort of movie that you really need to switch your brains off for.
You’re never going to find an answer to any why’s or how’s, so why even bother?
All you really need to do is listen to that one annoying friend of yours who always told you loosen up and let your hair down, just take her advice for once.
Go ahead, listen to Susan and if you are a Susan yourself, then you get me!
Justice Smith and Ryan Reynold gave in really good performances. The CGI really brought Pikachu’s cuddly cuteness to life, so based on these very strong factors, we here at Absolute Geeks give Pokemon: Detective Pikachu a solid 7 on 10.
