This 2019 film had trainers around the world doubting whether the franchise would translate from animation to live-action without coming across as a YouTube parody of itself. Surprisingly so, Pokemon Detective Pikachu surpassed many’s expectations, leaning heavily on storytelling, grungy aesthetics, and lore-accurate representations of our favorite pocket monsters.
Whilst star power was controversial at first with the casting of Ryan Reynolds as the lead, the Canadian actor turned out to be a good call for this sassy-natured Pikachu. Earning $433 million worldwide on a $150 million budget, no one can question the movie’s massive success – at least on paper.
Upon rewatch, the feature feels like catching lightning in a broken bottle, pun intended, as the script turns what was supposed to be a Pokemon flick about training, catching, and battling into a mystery-adventure that relies on plot twists and plot holes to drive its point home.
To refresh our memory, the story follows Tim Goodman, a 21-year-old insurance agent who suddenly receives a life-changing call: his absent father, ace detective Harry Goodman, has passed away in the line of duty. This leads our protagonist to Ryme City, a place populated by humans and Pokemon alike.
Here, we eliminate the pretense of wild encounters, town-hopping, gym leaders, and, ever so conveniently, Pokemon battles, since the last part is deemed illegal in a town where Pokemon and humans share society as equals.
Tim, in an attempt to put his father’s things in order and get to know him a little better, visits Harry’s apartment to find a Sherlock Holmes/Deadpool-esque Pikachu, Harry’s former detective partner. Together, they embark on a journey to prove that Harry’s alive, a case only a yellow detective can crack open.
This sounds fine and dandy until we look at the classic Pokemon video game and anime story and how far the script strays from it to accommodate star talent and comedy in a genre that didn’t ask for it. This was supposed to be a Pokemon trainer movie, one that the original show and games have prepped us for for years.
Instead, writers shied away from the core values of the franchise, like friendship, perseverance, and strategy, to deliver an entertaining experience that translates into millions of dollars. This ultimately trapped the story in its own bubble, making the silver-screen return of Tim, Harry, and his Pikachu all the more difficult.
I understand town-hopping and constant battles would not make the best film in the world – heck, even the animated Pokemon movies understand that. Yet, Pokemon Detective Pikachu’s only battle encounter was in an illegal Pokemon fighting ring underground with a (spoiler alert) human-minded Pikachu who didn’t know how to fight, and an insurance salesman who doesn’t know how to train.
If the cast were to return, we would have to see all three members of the gang skip Ryme City altogether on an off-road mystery-solving trip to, for example, a rigged metropolis where Gyms are monopolized by the mafia, putting Pokemon and trainers in harm's way.
Maybe infiltrate Tim as an experienced foreign trainer, give him a whole act about finding your own Pokemon and trusting each other despite lacking the talking Pokemon from the first movie. Pit father and son against each other in their case approach, creating bonding moments that were lacking in Tim’s upbringing and the first movie's finale. You could even industry plant any Pokemon you’d like to lead the film in a Charizard-Ash Ketchum enemies-to-friends arc.
Regardless of the angle, it is pretty challenging to see a squad reunion, given how much time has passed since release, the now-speechless protagonist in Pikachu, and Nintendo’s multi-million-dollar push for their main IP in the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy movie. Money does talk, unlike Detective Pikachu after that shock-value ending. Pika-pika.
For more like this, stick with us here at Gfinityesports.com, the best website for gaming features and opinions.