From which media or souvenir you knew Pokemon for the first time? For me, it’s when I watched its anime which appearing Ash Ketchum and his starting Pokemon, Pikachu. The movie also, is basically a movie adaptation from the video game with the same title and brings same premise with the game. The game itself is fairly new because it’s released on March 2018.
Pokemon Detective Pikachu narrates Tim Goodman (Justice Smith) who no longer interested in being Pokemon trainer due to the absence of his father, Harry. He was taught that his father died in a car accident and traveled to Ryme City. Ryme City is said as a modern city where humans and Pokemon can really live together and the Pokemon no longer used for fighting. In Harry’s apartment, Tim strangely encountered a Pikachu that can speak to him and only him can understand. Pikachu believed that Harry is still alive and offered Tim to investigate his disappearance. Pikachu then revealed that he is Harry’s Pokemon partner and lost his memory and ability to use his moves. With the help from Lucy, the reporter who has investigated Harry’s disappearance, Tim and Pikachu set out to find clues of Harry’s whereabout.
As a game adaptation, the movie follows the original story well. The story also shows the appearance of R, a serum that can strengthen and make furious Pokemon, which cause most problems for Tim and Pikachu in the movie. As the consequence, the plot itself kinda straightforward except the twist where Pikachu found out how could he be able to talk with Tim and got amnesia and the discovery of the villain and the motive of the major plot. These twists are strongly connected with the objective of the movie, to bring back Pikachu’s memory and find Tim’s father. In the other hand, the movie is success enough in illustrating Tim who really has given up having business with Pokemon and the ambitious Lucy. However, the potential love interest among them is explored less.
What could be improved in this movie is how the movie deliver its fan service. The movie has been good enough in bringing the Pokemon into the real action, including the cutest group such as Pikachu and Bulbasaur. Our Pikachu also encountered some iconic Pokemon such as Charizard, Greninja, and Mewtwo. However the audience might want to see how they use their moves more. The movie shows less Pokemon battle scene because the story is set in a city where Pokemon battle is no longer legal, but the scene where the Pokemon defend themselves and use their moves should be added.
In short, this is an enjoyable game adaptation for every Pokemon fans. The story and Pokemon’s role in the movie still can be developed further though. I rated this movie 7.5 of 10. The score is due to this hyper cute leaked scene of the movie too.
Notes of Hobbies 