Film Review: ‘Pokémon Detective Pikachu’ is Family Fun for All

CHICAGO – Let’s face it. If you’re not already obsessed with Pokémon, or the parent of someone who is, you’re not likely to land in a darkened theater with “Detective Pikachu” on the marquee. But for any newbies who happen to walk in, there are a few pleasures in this big budget kid friendly blockbuster.

Rating: 3.5/5.0

“Pokémon Detective Pikachu” takes place in the futurist Ryme City. It’s a brightly scrubbed metropolis founded by a wealthy billionaire Howard Clifford (Bill Nighy), where humans and Pokémon live freely side by side. Pokémon don’t exist to be pitted against one another, but rather more like companions and partners. Justice Smith stars as Tim, a one time wanna be Pokémon trainer whose dreams were dashed by personal tragedy. His father, a detective named Harry, has apparently perished in a car crash while investigating a big case. Harry’s old Pokémon partner, Pikachu (voice of Ryan Reynolds) comes back to the city, and Tim can mysteriously understand him … so together they team up to find Tim’s dad and solve the case.

“Pokémon Detective Pikachu” opens everywhere on May 10th in 3D, IMAX. RPX and regular screenings. See local listings for format theaters and show times Featuring Ryan Reynolds, Justice Smith, Suki Waterhouse, Ken Watanabe and Bill Nighy. Screenplay by Rob Letterman, Dan Hernandez, Benji Samit and Derek Connolly. Directed by Rob Letterman. Rated “PG”