Detective Pikachu...Just for Fans?

Gotta Catch them All!
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When Tim Goodman (Justice Smith) is informed of his detective father’s death, he travels to Ryme City, a place where Pokémon and humans live in harmony and meets his father’s Pokémon partner, Detective Pikachu (voiced by Ryan Reynolds). Sadly, Pikachu has lost his memory but is able to speak to Tim and is determined to help him find his father because he’s convinced Harry is still alive. 

​Their search takes them all over town, while befriending a young intern with aspirations of being a hard-hitting reporter someday. One lead sends them to philanthropist, Howard Clifford (Bill Nighy) who made the city great. He shares that Tim’s father, Harry Goodman was undercover trying to get answers about what was really going on with a sinister purple gas. 

​Antics abound as Tim must face his feelings for his father who withdrew into his job after the death of Tim’s mother. The team encounters strange mutated Pokémon and learn that the legendary Pokémon, Mew Two may be behind Harry’s disappearance. 

​A blend of live action and CGI, the characters come to life on the big screen. Based off the video game by the same name, Detective Pikachu is the first non-cartoon movie from the Pokémon franchise. Ryan Reynolds voices the character of Pikachu with much of the exuberation of his Deadpool character. It is as if he has no filter. He says whatever comes to mind. A fun twist brings the movie full circle and will have the adults hugging their children. 

​Filled with action and so many Pokémon, the movie will appeal to fans of the series and children. Even my favorite Jigglypuff has a small cameo. But if you aren’t familiar with the characters, much of the movie will be over your head. And there’s plenty of fun family movies coming out later this summer!