When it was first revealed that Legendary Pictures was developing a
Detective Pikachu movie, the response was not good. Fans argued that it was a mistake to take the franchise down this route, but as soon as the teaser landed, things changed and excitement for the movie started to build.
Now, the review embargo has finally lifted and it appears as if the studio definitely has a hit on its hands. While the response definitely isn't overwhelmingly positive (there are some negative reviews here and the plot comes under fire in even the higher rated reviews), it sounds like a good start for the franchise and fans should definitely be happy.
Below, you'll find a roundup of reviews from a number of outlets including the trades, entertainment websites, and newspapers. These provide a great idea of what to expect and are spoiler-free.
To check them out, all you guys have to do is click on the "View List" button!
If you have waited your entire life to see this world brought to life, and to watch humans and Pokémon occupy the same space, then “Detective Pikachu” may well be everything you ever wanted. But for those of us who don’t know a Jigglypuff from a Charizard, this film scores low on wit, coherence and engagement.
SOURCE: The Wrap
While Detective Pikachu doesn’t reinvent the wheel in terms of storytelling, it has managed the seemingly impossible of creating a deeply satisfying and fully realized world based on something with so much fan expectation and preconceived notions attached to it. You’ll laugh, (if you’re like me) you’ll cry, and you’ll leave the theater with a Snorlax-sized smile on your face. In a world of swirling chaos, never-ending vitriol, and constant horror, Detective Pikachu and its story of fractured family and finding oneself are a welcome reprieve. [4/5]
SOURCE: Nerdist
Reynolds and Pikachu make an inspired combo in a CGI/live-action mash-up that otherwise adheres to a rigidly boilerplate formula. [3/5]
SOURCE: Total Film
Even though the film successfully accomplishes so much in breaking the curse of bad video game movies, a few revelations and choices made in the final act have the potential to be divisive amongst the audience. But, as is the case with an adventure like this, it's less about the destination and more about the journey and this voyage has it all - it's funny, charming and endearing. Pokémon Detective Pikachu is an absolute delight from start to finish for new and old fans alike. Easily the best video game movie ever. Pika Pika!
SOURCE: Starburst
Detective Pikachu is definitely a movie you should add to your watchlist. Here’s hoping this film is the beginning of Pokemon-inspired movie universe, because I can’t wait to see what’s next in store for the yellow, electricity-filled detective!
As the wisecracking voice of Pikachu, Ryan Reynolds deserves some sort of special citation for doing the best he can without Deadpool’s f-bombs (or a decent script) to lean on. But the main problem is that the film’s gumball-mayhem plot is so frenetic that it’s impossible to determine if it makes a lick of sense. Maybe that was the point. [C+]
SOURCE: Entertainment Weekly
Pikachu is like the supreme A-lister of this creature crowd and he’s an adorable hoot. The movie sings when Pikachu is running afoul of an irked Charizard, interacting with the unnerved Tim – he’s almost a Poke-straight man at times – or playing the world’s cutest sleuth. Reynolds’ voice has a natural snarkiness that electrifies Pikachu’s personality, though there’s also a heartwarming timbre that’ll make you love him more, if that's possible.
Detective Pikachu isn’t really trying to be a movie you think about beyond its most basic beats—and that’s what makes it work, even if it ultimately means that it takes the crown of “Best Video Game Movie” simply by being basically competent rather than because it can truly shine on its own merits. If you’ve ever in your life, even for just a moment, been touched by the simple joy of Pokémon, then Detective Pikachu makes it clear that it understands you, and why you got that spark of joy in the first place. It just hopes that it understands you enough to mask its otherwise messy, relatively humdrum tale.
SOURCE: io9
By comparison, the humans are rather bland but it’s Reynolds who saves the day. He takes what could have been a generic conceit by the scruff of the neck and gives it the requisite jolt of energy – electrical, caffeine-derived or otherwise. He’s worth every penny. [3/5]
SOURCE: Guardian
Will their partnership continue? If anything, the blessing of “Detective Pikachu” is that it’s off-canon. Its box office should demonstrate fans’ hunger for a more robust big-screen version of the Pokémon universe, while the disappointment needn’t dissuade another team from coming along and doing it right.
SOURCE: Variety
Live-action feature film adaptations of video games have proved a dicey proposition in the past. For every “Mortal Kombat” there’s a “Prince of Persia.” This one just feels like a venal money grab from a mega corporation. You’ve played Pokémon Go, right? Call this one Pokémon Don’t Go.
Although the script, credited to Letterman along with Dan Hernandez, Benji Samit and Derek Connolly, from a story by Nicole Perlman, tends to compartmentalize the comedy, action and emotional bits rather than organically blending them all together, Letterman’s energetic direction manages to hold everything aloft.
SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter
Compared with most modern blockbusters, Detective Pikachu is contained, almost small, in its ambitions. But that's a relief, allowing viewers, among them nostalgic millennials and children, to bask in the charm of a Pokémon-filled environment. Also, have you seen Pikachu? Don't you just want to squeeze him??
That awe can be exciting and explosive in the thick of battle, but more often than not, it’s quiet and mundane, like having to strap your Pikachu into a car’s booster seat. The biggest compliment I can give Detective Pikachu is that it didn’t take long for me to wish I could live in it.
SOURCE: Polygon
Detective Pikachu’s writing isn’t exactly strong or thought-provoking, but honestly, it doesn’t have to be. This isn’t a timeless work of cinematic genius. Instead, it’s a chance for Pokémon diehards to spend two hours inside a universe many of us have invested years in. It’s a hilarious, carefree, fun romp through a familiar place, and it’s just different enough to add a much needed twist to a formula that was growing tired.
What a bummer. Detective Pikachu is, so far, my most disappointing experience at the movies this year. Again, I cannot stress how much I was looking forward to this movie. And what’s even more frustrating is you can kind of see in here the blueprints for something really fun and unique, but instead it just comes off as disjointed, with ideas going all different directions. For Pokémon fans, Detective Pikachu will be fun to watch in an effort to spot them all (again, this movie looks great). But for everyone else, it might be better to listen to Snorlax and just take a nap.
SOURCE: Uproxx
Despite the film industry’s resistance to video game movies, Pokémon: Detective Pikachu has landed a critical hit. Sure, not everything goes off without a hitch, but the lifelike Pokémon provide a nonstop stream of delights to make the weaker aspects of the movie forgivable. Smith’s character gives the story an emotional weight and Reynolds delivers an endearing comedic performance that’s closer to his subversive Deadpool schtick than you’d expect. While video game movies haven’t had the best track record, this movie is by and far the best example of how to do one right. [8/10]
SOURCE: IGN
Beneath the predictable story, Detective Pikachu isn’t about much, and if you need Wikipedia to explain who Mewtwo is, most of the jokes will go right over your head. The whole thing is a bit too childish for adults, and a bit too convoluted for kids. It absolutely deserves an Oscar nomination for Best Visual Effects however, even if the subject matter makes me think it’s unlikely to receive one.
SOURCE: ScreenCrush
Despite my headline, it’s no Chinatown. It’s not even a general Alex Cross, but it’s a solid Hard To Kill or Mighty Morphin Power Rangers when the heroes uncover the villains’ plots. I believe Smith interacting with this CGI Pikachu talking like Reynolds. They commit, as does Kathryn Newton as a reporter with whom they team up. Detective Pikachu didn’t turn me into a Pokemon fan but I think the Pokeman crowd will like it.
SOURCE: We Live Entertainment
I'm sure your children will love it, and I reckon your inner child will probably love it, but that big kid who saw the trailers and started hoping for a little more will probably feel a bit let down.
SOURCE: EuroGamer
We'd happily return to Ryme City for a sequel, which is handy, because there's already one in development. And we'd love to see some more off-the-wall expansions of the Pokémon brand. This first Detective Pikachu film certainly has its flaws, but it's full of fun, easy to enjoy and unashamedly silly. Isn't that exactly what Pokémon should be? [3/5]
SOURCE: Den Of Geek
Detective Pikachu wears its heart on its sleeve, but the emotional core feels somewhat half-baked, despite the constant flashbacks to Tim’s sad childhood. But it’s in the dazzling design of the world and its characters, and when Detective Pikachu shows glimpses of enchanting, Studio Ghibli-esque flairs, that the film balances out its feeble plot and uninteresting protagonist.
SOURCE: /Film
Unfortunately, the half-baked mystery story relies heavily on tropes, two-dimensional characters (no pun intended), and too familiar twists and turns, few of which make much sense in reality even though they’re forced to fit the Poké-fied narrative. The long and short of it is this: See Detective Pikachu for the Pokémon, not the plot.
SOURCE: Collider