Quick Review: Pokemon Detective Pikachu (2019)

So I have questions, but they aren't what you think... 

This isn't Pokemon: Detective Pikachu (as in a Pokemon Film about D. Pikachu)?  This isn't Pokemon Detective: Pikachu (like there are other Pokemon Detectives)?  Anyways...

A young man (Justice Smith) returns to his childhood home in the wake of his Father's apparent death.  They won't show Dad's face, since dramatic reveal later.

While collecting his stuff, he finds something unexpected...

This Pikachu can talk- although only he can hear it say real words- and wants to solve Dad's disappearance/possible death...since he was his partner.

You see, in this City, Humans and Pokemon live in harmony.  The only one without a companion is our Lead...until now.

Can they get the information they need from this Pokemon?  Will you tire of this shtick before the Film does?

Oops, we're ending the 2nd Act- time for a new conflict.

Yes, even Films about Pokemon Cities and Ryan Reynolds not swearing aren't immune to this cliche.

Can they unravel the mystery involving Pokemon experimentation and some of them going crazy?

Will the Third Act bring about the biggest twists of all? 
Will they solve the case?
Will the World's Economy recover enough to get a Sequel?

To find out *some* of the answers, watch the Film.  I saw it on HBO, but you know, you do you.

A fun, but sometimes self-serious Film.  Pokemon Detective Pikachu is more or less what you expect.  You get a Buddy Comedy with a 'kid' and a Pokemon.  He still has to be vaguely an Adult, but also look like a Teen...but he still fits the bill. The banter and repartee is pretty fun here, which is especially notable when you consider that one half of the group is CG and probably recorded weeks to months later.  Justice Smith is definitely the least interesting part of the Film though- no offense.  He's not bad, but he just doesn't hold up to Ryan Reynolds' natural charisma.  Someone has to play his part though, so the Film can't really work without him.  The other Actors- including Bill Nighy!- come out of this looking stronger than Smith.  The tricky thing here is that the Film tries to be serious at many point throughout it.  When it wants to be fun and adventurous, it can be quite charming.  When it suddenly introduces Drama, it just feels a bit confusing.  I mean...we're seeing Ryan Reynolds voice a tiny, furry creature that loves coffee- it's not Citizen Kane.  I suppose I should give them kudos for trying to add to the emotional weight of the tale- I just didn't connect with it.  If you loved the Film for this stuff, more power to you.  I had more fun with this than I expected overall though (as someone who never played or really followed Pokemon at all).  It's sure to get a follow-up somehow and I'm curious to see what they might do with it...as long as it doesn't end up looking like the original game graphics...

When it just tries to be fun and light, it works quite well.  When it tries to be dramatic, well, it only gives me a little buzz.