POKÉMON DETECTIVE PIKACHU

US, 2019, 104 minutes, Colour.
Ryan Reynolds, Justice Smith, Kathryn Newton, Bill Nighy, Ken Watenabe, Chris Geere, Suki Waterhouse.
Directed by Rob Letterman.

There is something of an age barrier to enjoyment of this Pokémon story. It is not the world of older audiences. But, looking back to the introduction of Pokémon stories and Pokémon activities, Japan in the 1990s, we realise that those who were children enjoying Pokémon in those years and now the parents of children who are at home with Pokémon could well enjoy this film.

The story exists in an alternate world, like enough to the world we live in, cities which have a blend of American cities and London, and so quite familiar. But, of course, the Pokémon make a difference. They seem to be something of a blend of pet, friend, even guardian angel for the human that they accompany. There is communication – but not through human words.

We are introduced to a human, Tim Goodman (Justice Smith) whose life is somewhat disturbed by the absence of his detective father away in the city. A friend tosses him a Pokémon which he catches – and so has a companion, leading him to travel by comfortable train into the city. He confronts a detective to find out what has happened to his father, whether he is alive or not. The Pokémon’s name is Pikachu, small, bubbly, mischievous, but he has lost his memory!

Tim also meets young journalists, Lucy (Kathryn Newton) who becomes entangled in the investigation. And, in the city, is a famous patriarch and benevolent industrialist – so that is what Bill Nighy is doing in this film! He is benign but has troubles in collaborating with his son.

So, the scene is set with all kinds of complications, especially work in a secret laboratory, the creation of a giant Pokémon who seems to be a threat, as well as a gas which has an overpowering effect on humans, enabling the pet Pokémon to absorb the human!

While older adults might be struggling with the plot lines and developments, one hopes that this is second nature to the youngster audience!

As always, things are not what they seem, even Pikachu is not what he seems and we share his pleasure in discovering who he really is. And discovering Ryan Reynolds.

Which means that this is an entertainment for Pokémon devotees (but leaving oldies in the audience somewhat struggling).

1. The history of Pokémon, popularity, Japanese origins, Pokémon folklore?

2. The development of the video games, the Pokémon hunts, the variety of characters?

3. An alternate world, the blend of American, the London buses, an alternative metropolis?

4. Tim, his friend, the Pokémon gift, tends memory of his father, detective, going to the city, leaving him? Catching the Pokémon?

5. The laboratory, the experiments, the scientists, the seeming monstrous Pokémon, the escape, the crash, injuries to the detective, the Pokémon surviving?

6. Tim, the train, travelling to A rhyme City, the interview with the detective, memories of his father? Not believing he was dead? Going in search?

7. Howard Clifford, his son, the explanation of his work with the Pokémon, in his wheelchair, at his desk, the TV interview, his heritage? Clashing with his son? Audiences thinking in the hero and the sun the villain?

8. Pikachu, size, appearance, voice, Ryan Reynolds? Losing his memory? Collaborating with Tim, his aspirations, collaborations? The search?

9. Humans and Pokémon together, friends, pets? Companions? The range?

10. The encounter with Lucy, her ambitions as a journalist, getting stories, her being discouraged but persevering? With Tim? Her Pokémon and the clash with Pikachu?

11. Tim, the search, the big Parade, the discovery of the gas, the research? Lucy and her story? The elaborate Parade, the letting loose the gases, the Pokémon is absorbing the humans?

12. The visit to the bridge, the scene coming into the present, the discovery of the truth, the laboratory?

13. Clifford some, his double? His father being exposed?

14. The creature, the escape, it’s turning out to be friendly? Clifford and his aims, to survive in the Pokémon’s?

15. The final confrontation, Clifford, his death, his son as hero, giving Lucy a job? The revelation that Pikachu was Tim’s father’s Pokémon?

16. Restoration,, to meeting his father, the reconciliation?