Pokémon Detective Pikachu

2019
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Pokémon Detective Pikachu

Critics Consensus

Pokémon Detective Pikachu may not take its wonderfully bizarre premise as far as it could have, but this offbeat adaptation should catch most -- if not all -- of the franchise's fans.

67%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 269

81%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 13,519

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Movie Info

The story begins when ace detective Harry Goodman goes mysteriously missing, prompting his 21-year-old son Tim to find out what happened. Aiding in the investigation is Harry's former Pokémon partner, Detective Pikachu: a hilariously wise-cracking, adorable super-sleuth who is a puzzlement even to himself. Finding that they are uniquely equipped to communicate with one another, Tim and Pikachu join forces on a thrilling adventure to unravel the tangled mystery. Chasing clues together through the neon-lit streets of Ryme City - a sprawling, modern metropolis where humans and Pokémon live side by side in a hyper-realistic live-action world - they encounter a diverse cast of Pokémon characters and uncover a shocking plot that could destroy this peaceful co-existence and threaten the whole Pokémon universe.

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Cast

Ryan Reynolds
as Detective Pikachu
Ken Watanabe
as Lieutenant Hide Yoshida
Justice Smith
as Tim Goodman
Kathryn Newton
as Lucy Stevens
Bill Nighy
as Howard Clifford
Suki Waterhouse
as Ms. Norman
Rita Ora
as Dr. Ann Laurent
Chris Geere
as Roger Clifford
Karan Soni
as Jack
Ikue Otani
as Pikachu
Priyanga Burford
as Passenger
Bern Collaco
as CNM Reporter
Omar Chaparro
as Sebastian
Kadiff Kirwan
as Mayor
Paul Kitson
as Harry Goodman
Jag Patel
as Dignitary
Abbie Murphy
as Cynthia McMaster
Alex Klaus
as Police Commissioner
Max Fincham
as Tim Aged 12
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Critic Reviews for Pokémon Detective Pikachu

All Critics (269) | Top Critics (34)

View All Critic Reviews (269)

Audience Reviews for Pokémon Detective Pikachu

  • Jun 10, 2019
    The core story is just... So dumb. And the dialogue between genuinely any two characters that doesn't involve the titular Pikachu made me real uncomfortable. But I adore the world that holds it up. Watching Detective Pikachu was like drinking hot chocolate by the campfire in winter. Even my roommate who had to be dragged to the thing kicking and screaming ended up having a wholesome good time.
    Gimly M Super Reviewer
  • Jun 09, 2019
    Disappointing. Animation-wise, loved the cuteness of Pikachu and the voice acting of Ryan Reynolds. But, story telling was laboured and self-indulgent. Could have been better had more thought gone into the story telling and the pacing of the film.
    Chrisanne C Super Reviewer
  • May 26, 2019
    This may be my least useful review in my career as a critic but I'll try my best when it comes to Detective Pikachu. I'm not a Pokemon fan. It came to popularity as I started high school and was generally after my time. I can state unequivocally that this movie is not made for people like me, and that's fine. I imagine fans of the long-running television series and games will be delighted to see this world brought to life with great care and top-notch special effects. I sat through the 105 minutes slightly amused but feeling no strong feelings one way or another. It's a pleasant enough movie with decent world building and a predictable plot (taken verbatim from the game of the same name apparently). It's charming enough for an outsider but offers not much else. It feels like a PG-Deadpool Ryan Reynolds attached to a Who Framed Roger Rabbit?-style universe where Pokemon and humans interact normally. No one ever seems to fully articulate how the Pokemon battles are essentially dog fighting and that they're enslaving these creatures for blood sport, but it's not like I was expecting that commentary either. In a world of living monsters, the human characters are a bit boring. Justice Smith's character is annoying and inconsistent. He seems a bit oblivious to how much he remembers about his missing father, which is more curious with some end reveals. Bill Nighy appears as the most obvious villain. Suki Waterhouse is here as a shape-shifting hench woman. The real draw is Reynolds as the voice to a Pikachu looking to pick up the pieces of its lost memory. The humor is brisk and has more hits than misses, even if the aim is somewhat low. Detective Pikachu is a family-friendly comedy that will likely please the hardcore legion of Pokemon fans and leave the rest of us shrugging our shoulders and saying to ourselves, "Well, that was a thing." Nate's Grade: B-
    Nate Z Super Reviewer
  • May 19, 2019
    This movie has to be kept in context when going to view it. If you are looking to just waste 2 ohurs in a chilled movie theater this weekend and have never played, seen, or consumed any pokemon themed media, this movie might be a mistake. That being said if you are a fan of the material, or at least familiar with it, this is a joy. Funny and thrilling, with real gumshoe, detective devices added in to boot, this was such a fun movie to watch. There are some wholes, and some editing issues that can be glossed over, as well as some areas that lack polish other areas have, as well as some disappointing leave outs, but all and all a fun ride. See it with a crowd.
    Vincent T Super Reviewer
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