Pokémon Detective Pikachu: Film Review

Synopsis

After learning of the disappearance of his dad, Tim Goodman (Justice Smith) goes to Ryme City to try and find out what happened.  While in his dad's apartment, he encounters a Pikachu (Ryan Reynolds), who happens to be Harry's ex-partner. They are then attacked by a pack of Aipom under the influence of a purple gas that Tim accidentally released, but they both escape. The quest then becomes, in addition to finding his dad,  to find the origin of this mysterious "R" gas and destroy it before it affects anyone else.

Review

Let me start by saying that Pokémon Detective Pikachu is a very enjoyable and fun film. It's great to be immersed in a world so deeply. I have no prior connection with Pokémon, but the hardcore fans will really enjoy it. The script is loosely written. The script never really gains any substance, however, there is great character work done in the film, particularly with Tim (Justice Smith). The acting is okay. Its mediocrity gets better progressively. Justice Smith is a charismatic lead although his acting ability falters in the beginning. Ryan Reynolds is the savior of movie. He is really funny as a PG-rated Deadpool in the body of a Pokémon. The film works best with "him" (in quotes because he provides a voice) in frame. The film has good CGI (it's mostly CGI, anyway) and battle sequences. Overall, the second half is much better and more developed than the first in terms of really every criteria. I mean, there was no clear villain until the last 20 minutes. Nevertheless, the film is very heartwarming in the end (and SPOILER ALERT!!!! there's a twist).