When I first saw the title “Detective Pikachu,” I didn’t think there was any way there was actually a Pokémon movie in the works. I mean, the anime show was mostly popular in the ‘90s and early 2000s, and even then, it catered to a very niche audience -- namely, young teens that played the video games.
Having been one of those teens playing the video games, I’m still surprised at this new film’s existence. Who would have thought that Japanese anime creatures would become a timeless well of pop culture fodder?
Well, Ryan Reynolds, apparently.
Fans of the Pokémon franchise may be delightfully surprised to find that Mr. Blake Lively is going to be the voice behind everyone’s beloved Pikachu (aka the only Pokémon you recognize). And, honestly not surprisingly, he looks to be doing a stand-up job of it.
The “Deadpool” actor has proved time and time again that he’s got the comedic talent that can not only cross age gaps, but apparently can cross genres, too. His performance as the little electrified critter elicited more than a few chuckles from me, and alongside Kathryn Newton, Justice Smith, Bill Nighy and Ken Watanabe, we’re looking at a pretty stacked cast here.
The movie, seemingly inspired by the 2016 video game that also featured Pikachu sporting a cute little Sherlock Holmes-esque detective’s hat, will be the first ever live-action take on Pokémon, with Pikachu teaming up with a young detective’s son trying to find his kidnapped father. It’s a good storyline, and seeing the animated characters in a new live-action world is giving 12-year-old me the thrills. Definitely not something I was expecting in 2018, that's for sure.
Jury’s still out on a rating (I almost wish it gets an R-rating, because imagining Pikachu with the disposition of a Seth MacFarlane Ted is giving me the giggles), so TBD on whether you should take your buddies or your kids to see “Detective Pikachu.”
Either way, go dig up your old-school Game Boy to start preparing now. You have until May 2019.