POKEMON Detective Pikachu – Review

POKEMON Detective Pikachu – Budget Unknown – 1 hour and 44 minutes

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Howard Clifford created Ryme City. A place where humans and Pokémon can live together in peace.  There are no Poke balls nor battles.  Humans and Pokémon can cohabitate by choice.  Det. Harry Goodman worked for the Ryme City Police Department solving cases for humans and Pokémon alike.  His son Tim has not lived with Harry since Tim was 11 years old.  Ten years have passed and Tim has gotten horrible news; his father died in a car accident.  Tim rushes to collect his father things from his apartment.  When he opens Harry’s mailbox, Lucy appears out of thin air with her Pokemon, Psyduck.  She has been investigating Harry’s last case and believes he was onto something big.  She wants Tim’s help to get more information.  Tim politely brushes her off and goes to his father’s apartment. Tim finds evidence of Harry’s love for him, a vial of purple gas, and a Pikachu.  Tim opens the vial, it sprays in his face and out the window.  Unbeknownst to Tim, the gas turns the Aipom outside his window ravenous.  But the purple smoke gives Tim the ability to understand Pikachu.  Pikachu came to Harry’s house because he lost his memory and discovered Harry’s name and address in his hat.  After a crazy encounter with the Aipom, Tim realizes Pikachu was Harry’s Pokémon.  Tim and Pikachu decide to work together because Pikachu believes Harry is still alive.  And his disappearance has something to do with that vial.  But when a startling truth is revealed about his dad, can Tim handle it? Can Pikachu handle it? Can you handle it?

Based on the role-playing game Detective Pikachu, your expectation is so low for this movie that you will be left thoroughly surprised by how much you like it (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer).  The mystery has lots of twists, turns, and several reveals like the show Pokémon.  The graphics are nice but not too overdone.  It allows the viewer to see this as an imaginary world.  Not real life.  With Ryan Reynolds at the helm, the Pikachu has a PG Deadpool sense of humor with an abundance of heart.  The saddest moments are met with a spot-on joke that reminds you its a comedy.  Also, Pokémon fans will get a lot of the first-generation Pokémon like Bulbasaur, Venusaur, Charizard, Cubone, Mr. Mime, Ditto, and so many more.  Oh, yes, you will get the theme song, too.

I give it 3 out of 5 stars

It didn’t choose me. It didn’t choose me, Jake. I’m not his choice – Tim

I may be an unpaid intern but I can smell a story and I’m going to find it – Lucy

No one cares. People are so insensitive – Pikachu

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Long Shot – Review

Long Shot – Budget Unknown – 2 hours and 5 minutes

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Fred quits his job as an exposé journalist after his newspaper is bought by a rich conglomerate that goes against everything Fred believes.  Charlotte, the current Secretary of State, is called to the president’s office.  He reveals that he won’t seek a second term because he wants to become a movie star.  Charlotte has dreams of running for president and he offers to endorse her.  Her team, Maggie and Tom, start crunching her numbers with each demographic.  While she is likable, she lacks humor and a good wave.  They get a trainer to help her with her wave and start looking for writers to punch up her speeches.  While at a gala, Fred is drinking his troubles away with his best friend Lance and Charlotte is getting support for her environmental initiative.  Fred recognizes her right away.  When he was 13, she was his 16-year-old babysitter.  He has a big crush on her and kissed her, which lead to an embarrassing moment for him.  Agent M tells Fred that Charlotte wants to speak to him.  Lance encourages him to shoot his shot but Fred fears she will see him as the 13-year-old kid again.  Nevertheless, she remembers him fondly.  Then she watches Fred do something very brave, and then something very stupid.  He leaves an impression and she looks into his work.  She recognizes that he is very funny. Against Maggie’s advice, Charlotte decides to hire Fred as her campaign joke writer.  The more time they spend with each other, the more sparks fly.  But can their relationship withstand the scrutiny, sneaking around, and blackmail.

This movie is very funny while covering a lot of today’s issues.  It pinpoints issue within relationships like power dynamics, outside forces, and career goals.  Also, it touches on the environment, slanted news, and party divides.  With so many serious topics, it still manages to be funny and crude enough to keep it light-hearted.  With the rom-com, this movie takes time to add in a little action with a hostage negotiation and a terror attack.  While you won’t add this to your DVD collection, you will be happy to see it in the theaters.  Don’t stay for the credits, there are no blooper scenes.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars

I’m sorry. I usually last longer – Charlotte

She’s been in movies. But is she a movie star, really? – Fred

Wakanda Forever – Lance

Nobody would believe me anyway – Agent M

There is a lady present – Maggie

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