Pokemon: Detective Pikachu review
Based on the Pokemon video games and Anime (but specifically the Detective Pikachu game). A young man tries to solve the disappearance of his father with the help of a strange Pikachu which only he can understand. A fairly enjoyable, but predictable film. Tim Goodman goes to Ryme City to find out how his father met his apparent fate, but finds that there is more going on under the surface. It may be predictable, but it slowly introduces it's various concepts. (Of course, this adds to the predictability.)
The opening with Mewtwo's escape from the facility was a great way to start the film, as a way to add mystery. (Why were they experimenting on Mewtwo? Did they create him, or capture him? Etc.) It certainly gives the impression that Mewtwo would be in responsible for the disappearance of Harry (Tim's father). Then the introduction of Tim and his friend (and the attempt to catch that Cubone) effectively establishes Tim as a character, and through Tim we discover Ryme City after he finds out his father is missing, presumed dead.
Of course, Tim isn't alone in trying to solve the mystery of his father's disappearance. One can't have 'Detective Pikachu' in the title without a Pikachu who's also a detective. The meeting between Tim and the Pikachu was rather effectively done. (Of course, Ryan Reynolds sells it as the Pikachu.) That Tim is the only one who understands the Pikachu adds to the mystery, but also adds to the predictability as the film goes on. Then there is Lucy Stevens, the reporter intern who (along with her Psyduck), helps Tim's investigation.
(Of course she has her own reasons, but she's onto what is going on in the background.) It is revealed that one of two people may be responsible for what is going on. But the mystery is, which one is actually behind the conspiracy? Howard Clifford, the founder of Ryme City, or his son, Roger, who owns the TV station, and is Lucy's boss? Tim and Lucy have to navigate the misdirections that the actual antagonist throws up, to find out what is really going on. (Howard's holographic simulator is certainly impressive.)
The climax of the film was certainly an engaging part of the film. The predictability didn't detract from the enjoyability any. It was a well built sequence, and the various elements had been carefully foreshadowed throughout the film. For example, the Ditto reveal didn't come out of the blue, nor did the realisation of who the actual antagonist is, or what actually happened to Harry. Overall it is a good film, but more work was needed to be done to make the script less predictable. 7.5/10.