When Detective Harry Goodman (Ryan Reynolds) is presumed dead, his estranged son Tim (Justice Smith) goes to Ryme City (where humans and Pokemon co-exist) so he can close out his father's affairs. However, Tim is soon dragged into a mystery by Harry's former Pokemon partner Pikachu which Tim can understand what Pikachu is saying. Pikachu has no memory of who he is, but he is a wise-cracking and coffee addicted detective. Also helping Tim is CNM Network intern Lucy (Kathryn Newton) who wants to break that one big story, but her Pokemon is Psyduck who have to keep calm or he will send out a crippling brainwave. The mystery involves a secret Pokemon genetics lab, an underground Pokemon fight club, and the crippled billionaire owner of CNM (Bill Nighy).

POKEMON DETECTIVE PIKACHU is an interesting and enjoyable movie. On one level, kids will enjoy it for the various Pokemon. On another level, there will be some jokes only adults and teenagers will get. DETECTIVE POKEMON manages to make you feel like you live in a world of Pokemon is this great mix of action, and drama, and humor. Ryan Reynolds is great as the voice of Pikachu and helps give charm to the coffee addicted detective who can't remember how to use his electricity powers. It is a fast paced neo-noir kids movie. The only thing I didn't like is how the romantic tension between Tim and Lucy wasn't more developed and I wish the ending had more to it.

SPECIAL FEATURES:
Detection Mode is a in-screen pip version of the movie as the director, the stars, and others take you behind-the-scenes as you watch the movie and gives stats on the various Pokemon in the film

MY POKEMON ADVENTURE

CREATING THE WORLD OF DETECTIVE PIKACHU featurettes:
UNCOVERING THE MAGIC looks at the origins of how the movie came about and how everyone got involved to create the movie
COLORFUL CHARACTERS is all about the cast
BRINGING POKEMON TO LIFE talks about the various Pokemon featured in the movie and how they created them via CGI where Justice Smith had to act against nothing
WELCOME TO RYME CITY is about the production design of creating the look of Ryme city
ACTION! looks at the stunts of DETECTIVE PIKACHU

Alternate opening which is thankfully on the cutting room floor
Mr. Mime's Audio Commentary which is funny since Mr. Mime doesn't speak
RYAN REYNOLDS: OUTSIDE THE ACTORS STUDIO
CARRY ON music video by Rita Ora & Kygo

FINAL ANALYSIS: POKEMON DETECTIVE PIKACHU is an enjoyable romp that kids and adults will find something to enjoy. It is the most accessible POKEMON live action movie for the whole family. I hope a sequel is made soon.

This review is (c) 8-12-2019 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. Send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com and check for further content at http://enterlinemedia.tumblr.com