We’re not ok with Mr. Mime though. Jigglypuff too. Psyduck looks pretty creepy come to think of it.
I don’t think any of us thought much of Detective Pikachu when it was first announced. A live-action/animation hybrid Pokémon film based on the spinoff 3DS game of the same name absolutely sounded like one of those weird Hollywood ideas that would never happen.
But then it was announced that Ryan Reynolds would be voicing Pikachu, and we got curious.
Then the trailer dropped today, and now we’re (actually) excited.
Set in “the neon-lit streets of Ryme City,” 21-year-old Tim Goodman partners up with a talking, wise-cracking Pikachu only he can understand-and is seemingly a detective-to investigates the mysterious disappearance of Tim’s father, also a detective.
What’s immediately noticeable about Detective Pikachu, and what the rest of the Internet has noticed, are the hyper-realistic Pokémon designs. Some look pretty great and seamless, particularly the Charmander and Dodrio in the opening seconds of the trailer.
The titular Pikachu looks absolutely adorable. He’s very fuzzy, has big kitten eyes, and I love his little hand paws.
And yep, Ryan Reynolds was a great choice for the voice. He adds that Deadpool snark while still being extremely smooth and likable.
Back to the Pokémon designs. For the most part, the realistic approach translates pretty well. Chrarizard and Greninja for example look frightening in the same way certain reptiles and amphibians do because aspects of their anatomy translate well into CGI animation, such as their scales and eyes.
Others on the other hand, some look pretty creepy. The decision to give Jigglypuff actual hair instead of a puffy balloon aesthetic is kind of unsettling because it humanizes her in off-putting way…
Like a certain mime at the end of the trailer…
Anyway, there’s plenty to like here; from the moody Blade Runner-y visuals, the use of “Happy Together” to establish the tone, and of course, Pikachu himself. It’s a bizarre mix to say the least, but we’re hoping it really works.
Pokémon: Detective Pikachu hits theaters on May 10, 2019.
GOOD NIGHT!
