The summer movie season is about to kick off this week with Avengers: Endgame, but it sounds like another blockbuster will be soon arriving. On Tuesday, Warner Bros. held the first screening of Detective Pikachu during an event in Japan, allowing a select number of critics a chance to see what the film has in store.
Videos by ComicBook.com
Detective Pikachu will follow Tim Goodman (Justice Smith) a young man who reluctantly becomes an ally to the wise-cracking Detective Pikachu (Ryan Reynolds). As the pair try to solve the disappearance of Tim’s father, they cross paths with a slew of Pokemon in Rhyme City, and unintentionally discover a much larger conspiracy in the process.
With Detective Pikachu serving as the first live-action/animated hybrid in the franchise, it’s pretty safe to say that expectations are high. So, what do the early reactions say about the film? Read on to find out.
Megan Peters, ComicBook.com
It‘s a hit for #DetectivePikachu. Pokemon fans new & old will rejoice in this heartfelt and authentic take on the franchise. @Legendary and @wbpictures have nailed this live-action adaptation. I laughed hard and felt my heart swell. This Pokemon film is just the start! pic.twitter.com/I0R9fSHpfU
— Megan Peters (@meganpeterscb) April 24, 2019
Oh, and keep an eye out for easter eggs and its most relatable Pokemon, Psyduck. I am enamored.
— Megan Peters (@meganpeterscb) April 24, 2019
Dave Trumbore, Collider
Go see @DetPikachuMovie like 807 times, one for every type of Pokemon out there! (And this movie is *full* of them, like, *hundreds*! Try to catch ’em all! ) pic.twitter.com/9SQlIpWqhr
— LoTron Prime Dave Trumbore (@DrClawMD) April 24, 2019
Dan Casey, Nerdist
#DetectivePikachu is a pure joy from start to finish. It’s a heartfelt, relentlessly charming story filled with excellent worldbuilding. Plenty of deep cuts for #Pokémon fans. There must’ve been a grass-type in the theater because I got surprisingly misty-eyed in parts. pic.twitter.com/LMKp6TG1a1
— Dan Casey (@DanCasey) April 24, 2019
Major Miyazaki vibes from this scene in particular. @VancityReynolds and @standup4justice made for a super effective duo. #DetectivePikachu pic.twitter.com/dO4gwQNoUY
— Dan Casey (@DanCasey) April 24, 2019
Luis Del Valle, Buzzfeed Mexico
Del 1 al 10 le pongo un “qué fantasía” a #DetectivePikachu. Todo es muy adorable y está llena de referencias a los juegos y el anime.
— Luis Del Valle (@LGKING) April 24, 2019
Terri Schwarz, IGN
The story is very sweet with some good twists and predictable beats. @VancityReynolds does a great job differentiating Det. Pikachu from Deadpool (of course) and @justicethesmith + @kathrynnewton are super charming. The tongue-in-cheek noir vibes they brought to it totally work.
— Terri Schwartz (@Terri_Schwartz) April 24, 2019
Paul Shirey, Joblo.com
Had a fun time with Detective Pikachu. Silly, heartfelt and chock full of Pokémon, which makes for some great world building in what is sure to spin off into one hell of a franchise. Perfectly suited for fans and non-fans alike. #DetectivePikachu @DetPikachuMovie @joblocom
— Paul Shirey (@arcticninjapaul) April 24, 2019
The Nerds of Color
Detective Pikachu is adorably funny & takes you deep into the world of Pokemon, which every Pokemon fan will appreciate. The nostalgia is real. #DetectivePikachu will have you laughing & tearing up a bit too. Ryan Reynolds & Justice Smith are golden in this. #PikaPika pic.twitter.com/uxLXNKFFPh
— The Nerds of Color (@TheNerdsofColor) April 24, 2019
Ian de Borja, IMDb
#DetectivePikachu is painfully cute, jam packed with action and will make you wish you lived in the world of #Pokémon more than you probably already do. pic.twitter.com/V33JOkUP3u
— Ian de Borja (@iandeborja_) April 24, 2019
David Crow, Den of Geek
The first act is Who Framed Roger Rabbit with Pokémon and works so well. Seeking other movie tropes instead of video game ones gives Detective Pikachu a sturdy foundation to do some silly Poké stuff.
— David Crow (@DCrowsNest) April 24, 2019
Marah Eakin, The AV Club
My reactions to #DetectivePikachu: so cute! Fun for the whole family! Pokémon obsessives will be pleased, but Poke novices will be able to follow along—and will maybe even get sucked into the whole world. In summary: I want to cuddle Pikachu.
— Marah Eakin (@marahe) April 24, 2019
