Welcome, one and all, to today’s trailer reaction. And what trailer am I reacting to? Why, Pokémon Detective Pikachu, or course! As always, first … here’s the trailer:
So, when this film was announced, I was … sceptical. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting too much from it. If anything, I was fully expecting to see the trailer and have a number of issues with it. Now that I have seen it, I’m pleasantly surprised.
One thing I thought was going to be problematic with the film was the Pokémon themselves. There was no way they were going to go with anything other than CGI for the little beasties, and that opened up the potential problem of them not looking like a true part of what we’re seeing. As it happens though, the team have done a great job here. The Pokémon themselves look fantastic, and are full of so many subtle touches that really make them pop. My favourite bit? Right at the end. Look at the drool in Charizard’s mouth while it attacks Pikachu! That is so, so good!
Meanwhile, the rest of the world is aesthetically very interesting. From the sprawling cityscape to picturesque scenery, and all the way back to underground feeling Pokémon battle arenas, it’s all beautifully imagined.
From the clips we’ve seen here, Ryan Reynolds appears to be doing a fine job as Pikachu. I tend o generally like him though, so that was expected. We only really get to see our other hero Tim for any great length of time, but Justice Smith seems pretty likable in his role.
In terms of story, we have the bare basics on display. The set-up and general feel of the trailer makes it clear that this will be a bit darker than the animated movies that we’ve seen before, but there isn’t really anything in there that indicates this won’t be family friendly. I expect all the usual warnings about perils and danger for the characters, but really, it’s more likely to imitate all-ages fantasy action movies than anything. Plus, the Mr Mime scene is proof that it’s not all going to be gritty seriousness. And that’s no bad thing if it’s done well. Give us a good story, enough of a balance between heftier themes, fun and action, and we’ll have an at worst, inoffensive but entertaining time waster of a movie.
So, all in all, I have a bit more hope now than when I first saw the film being announced. But what yourselves? What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.
Matt Doyle Media 
Likewise, pleasantly surprised. Captures an 80s/90s family movoe feel. Looking forward to it!
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That’s a good camparison actually. Very much a 80’s/90’s feeling film, but with modern effects.
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I forgot about that pokemon live action until I see the trailer, but I pretty sure that I didn’t have high expectations for it when the news came out, we all know how adaptation can be.
However I like what I’m seeing so far and I seriously want to pet that Pikachu, his fur look so soft.
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I know, right? That Pikachu is certifiably huggable.
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Yes, and I love the attention they put into giving him expressions.
That sad face he made really broke my heart
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It’s amazing how emotive animals can be sometimes, even fictional ones.
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Now I just hope it will not be only the trailer but the only movie that will look like that.
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Now I just hope it will not be only the trailer but the whole movie that will look like that.
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Aye. That is the one problem with trailers, they’re someone a bit misleading. Still, I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
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my favorite part of the trailer was the Mr Mime omg I was laughing so hard at the sass that Pokemon had!
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Ha! I’m glad it had moments like that in there. That whole scene was excellent.
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I hadn’t heard about this, Matt – my sons will be ecstatic!
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It’s looking fun, isn’t it?
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I never would have pictured Reynolds as the voice of Pikachu. The trailer is better than expected. At the very least, by making this funny it will be more entertaining to watch than a generic Pokémon story were love wins the day.
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Aye, it’s definitely heading in a slightly different direction than normal. I’m not overly familair with the game it’s based on, so whether it remains true to that I don’t know, but it is looking fun.
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I am always wary when a video game gets adapted into live action. This trailer looks promising though. I think the comedy is a good choice, as it makes the dialogue more interesting than a bland wholesome Pokémon story starring real actors.
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I agree. I’m remaining optimsitic with this one now, simply because the trailer has done a great job of dispelling my worries about it being a carbon copy of the anaimted films but with bad CG pokemon.
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