Pokémon Detective Pikachu 4K Review :: This feels familiar

Warner Bros. Pictures

Full disclosure: I know absolutely zero about Pokémon. Games, cartoons, toys … zero. So I wondered how much I would actually enjoy the first full-length, live action Pokémon movie. I do know what Pikachu is and I do know Ryan Reynolds, so by combining the actor’s voice with the animated character, you can’t really go wrong. Right?

Pokémon Detective Pikachu was previously reviewed for Hotchka by Justin Moore, who obviously has more familiarity with the characters than I do so I’m seeing the movie and the story through completely different eyes. The plot follows Tim Goodman (Justice Smith), an insurance salesman about to celebrate his 21st birthday (something not really addressed in the movie but information that is shown in the film’s Alternate Opening in the bonus material) when he learns that his father has died. Tim travels to Ryme City, a place where humans and Pokémon live as equals (in the real world, humans hunt Pokémon). The city was constructed by billionaire Howard Clifford (Bill Nighy) who believes his son Roger (Chris Geere) is trying to undo all he’s done to make this a harmonious world. Tim also encounters his father’s Pokémon partner, Pikachu, who has lost his memory. Tim can also understand Pikachu, something that no other human can do (and he can only understand Pikachu). Howard Clifford is certain Tim’s father is not actually dead, but hiding from the people who tried to kill him, providing Tim with a holographic recreation of the car accident which also shows a creature known as Mewtwo abducting the senior Goodman … and wiping Pikachu’s memory as he had been in the car as well. With the help of intrepid CNM reporter Lucy Stevens (Kathryn Newton) and her Psyduck partner, the quartet find that not everything may be as it seems.

Watching Pokémon Detective Pikachu, I was surprised that this movie was nothing like I expected. I kept hearing that it was one of the best video game interpretations ever, so I certainly expected a lot of references to the games (and perhaps there are but they’re not so slavish to the games that a non-gamer will get lost … something that happened to me while watching Warcraft). What we get here is a classic film noir detective story shot in classic neo-noir style that, particularly in Ryme City, harkens back to the look of Blade Runner. And with the story and animated characters interacting with humans, I couldn’t help but to see Pokémon Detective Pikachu as a modern revamp of Who Framed Roger Rabbit. So I really connected more with the film’s story than I did with any of the Pokémon references. But I do have to admit that many of those creatures are hella cute. But I’m still not really interested in playing the games or getting any deeper into Pokémon. The fact that I enjoyed the movie, perhaps not as much as Justin, shows that it does work on more levels than just Pokémon.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has just released the film to home video, and if you have a 4K system this is the way to go for maximum enjoyment. The image is beautiful, clear and colorful, looking as if it were shot with the latest high definition cameras. But, surprise, Pokémon Detective Pikachu was actually shot on film (and according to sources finished in 2K). There may be some very fine film grain in the image but I didn’t notice. All the details are there from the skin tone colors to the textured fur and scales on the Pokémon characters. The disk’s Dolby Atmos audio (WB is finally making that the default, and it automatically switches to TrueHD 7.1 if you don’t have a Dolby system) is spectacular, using rear surrounds and height speakers to great effect, truly immersing you in the world of Ryme City. Voices are all clear, front and center and are never over-powered by sound effects or music.

The 4K package comes with a Blu-ray as well. The 4K disc does not include any special features so as to allow the movie to breathe. The Blu-ray is where you’ll find all the bonus material.

• Detective Mode – Instead of including an audio commentary, you can watch the film (on Blu-ray only) in ‘Detective Mode’ which includes on screen commentary by the film’s director Rob Letterman, pop up facts about the characters, the making of the film and Pokémon Easter eggs hidden throughout the movie for the fans. If you’re not familiar with Pokémon, watching the film this way may enhance your experience (but watch the movie by itself first).
• My Pokémon Adventure (2:13) features star Justice Smith talking about his lifelong love of Pokémon.
• Creating the World of Detective Pikachu (21:22; five parts that can be viewed individually) – The five featurettes include Reynolds, Letterman, Smith and Newton as well as behind-the-scenes folks discussing how the film was put together, from the character animation to the construction of Ryme City to the film’s major action scene.
• Alternate Opening (1:41) – The scene described above featuring Tim at work and an annoying co-worker. It was a good decision to scrap this scene.
• Mr. Mime’s Audio Commentary (3:00) – The Mr. Mime scene with commentary from the Mr. Mime character … who doesn’t speak, so it’s actually just the scene itself which you already saw in the movie. A bit of a time waster.
• Ryan Reynolds: Outside the Actor’s Studio (1:32) – A hilarious and too-short segment with Reynold discussing the process of becoming Detective Pikachu, with a surprise cameo.
• Music Video: ‘Carry On’ (3:51) – The video for the film’s closing credits by Rita Ora and Kygo.

There is an interesting point brought up in the extras where Smith says he hopes this film is the beginning of a franchise. Seeing the movie, one would have to wonder exactly how that would work since the film’s central conceit is that Tim can speak with and understand Pikachu … and there is a very, very specific reason why that is resolved by the end of the movie so I’m not sure how that would work. But, overall, I found Pokémon Detective Pikachu entertaining if overly familiar due to its obvious inspirations. Those who saw and loved the movie will absolutely love the video presentation, especially in 4K. And if you’re not familiar but curious, it’s not a film that will alienate the Pokémon uninitiated. It’s definitely worth a look.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment generously provided Hotchka with a 4K version of the film for reviewing purposes.