Pokémon Detective Pikachu

6

zacharyhasApr 19, 2022

Slightly above average, fairly fun and decent. But nothing that good overall.

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6

miccaelJul 18, 2019

main actor does not act good I think sadly. his "love story" seems forced in the end with no payoff. the part with detective Yoshida also kinda went nowhere (they never ackonledge thet did not find the body) and the reporter entrance was toomain actor does not act good I think sadly. his "love story" seems forced in the end with no payoff. the part with detective Yoshida also kinda went nowhere (they never ackonledge thet did not find the body) and the reporter entrance was too dramatic.some scenes needed more polish, like where the man in a taxi was looking at pika standing on his own hood and saying nothing.
Also, what's wrong with pokemon battles having weak, unsafe barriers, that's not how arenas work, not even underground ones.

movie is shot well and was fun. Was a bit too slow in the middle but worked.
bulbasaurs are the cutest, and of course when pickachu says pickachu. twist in the end, i was not expecting but kind of guessed that pickachu talking to him means something more.
pokemons are nicely CGI'd. no problems there. fun movie for 1 time… Expand

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6

RefreshmentMay 14, 2019

The movie is entertaining and fun! if you' re a Pokémon fan you'll see that its a new proposal in the pokemon world far away from the movies we were used to see. Although the pokémons are very well done and addapted to share the big screenThe movie is entertaining and fun! if you' re a Pokémon fan you'll see that its a new proposal in the pokemon world far away from the movies we were used to see. Although the pokémons are very well done and addapted to share the big screen with actors, i noticed that there's a clear lack of variety of them. It's obvious that a really worked script was not the inttention for this movie, but its still a bit simple...… Expand

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6

CoreGamer1408Jul 7, 2020

No real interest in Pokemon and this movie isn't going to chance that. Beyond the cuteish Pikachu the rest of Pokemon are nightmarish looking creatures. The wife said this reminded her of the Gremlins movie and not the cute parts. Yeah theNo real interest in Pokemon and this movie isn't going to chance that. Beyond the cuteish Pikachu the rest of Pokemon are nightmarish looking creatures. The wife said this reminded her of the Gremlins movie and not the cute parts. Yeah the Pokemen were disturbingly freaky looking. Story, characters and plot came across like any generic kids cartoon world I suppose? One of the kids, kids who watched it with us seemed to like it. It was ok a bit weird and a bit freaky for the grown ups.… Expand

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6

CyberRobotnixMay 11, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Well, I must say I kinda expected this movie to be as good as any other movie from Hollywood that tries to cater to a younger demographic (or about 60% of their movies for that matter).

I'll start with the least problematic con (consider that as a nitpick), the protagonist in the game is a white guy, but in the movie he was replaced by a black guy for the sake of inclusivity. I honestly could care less, you could replace the protagonist by the green dude from "Dame Tu Cosita" and it would still be enjoyable if the movie was good to begin with. As a fun fact, Pixels did the same **** by putting in a midget for the sake of inclusivity.

Now the real kicker, the story is bad. It is very erratic and it doesn't know how to progress so basically sometimes the flow of the story is slow, sometimes it is as fast as all hell and in the meantime you don't learn anything meaningful, like wow the Mr Mime interrogation is the best example to point that out, that's just wasting the viewer's time and the protagonist goes to several places not knowing where to go to progress the investigation.

On the same subject, the movie doesn't know who to choose as the main antagonist, first you think it's the whamen with the Psyduck because she harasses the protagonist, then you think it's the son of Clifford, Roger Clifford (he was the main antagonist in the game after all), then you think it's that guy with the Charizard since he had those drugs that made Pokemons go bat**** crazy on him, then you think it's Mewtwo as an ode to the first movie (you could imagine he was a side villain, but like not the main villain at the very beginning of the movie) and finally plot twist, plot twist, it was actually Howard Clifford. Damn, choose your main villain within the first half of the movie goddamnit, atleast Pixels did that correctly!

Overall, a mediocre movie. I am so hyped to see how awful will be Paramount's Sonic movie and the rumoured upcoming Mario movie, I'll expect the same subpar quality that this movie had.… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

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6

kirkenderFeb 24, 2020

It's a pokemon movie. There's plenty of pokemon in it. Ryan Reynolds is pikachu, who is a pokemon. Bill Nighy is in it as a villain and has to say a bunch of pokemon correctly. The Mr. Mime sequence was excellent.

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6

XV_May 19, 2019

As far as videogame adaptations go I think Detective Pikachu is on a better track than all of the others, my problem is that it depends a lot on Ryan Reynolds and the Pokemon lore and it kind of drags by the end of the movie when it's runningAs far as videogame adaptations go I think Detective Pikachu is on a better track than all of the others, my problem is that it depends a lot on Ryan Reynolds and the Pokemon lore and it kind of drags by the end of the movie when it's running out of steam. Overall is, for the most part, an entertaining movie, if not for its main character that is uncharismatic as they come and a predictable plot this will be a more fun experience.… Expand

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6

NoahboyJul 13, 2019

Detective Pikachu (2019): This movie is very average, but most people who are familiar with Pokemon will probably like it. The world-building in this film is great, and you can actually believe that this setting is real. Another aspect of theDetective Pikachu (2019): This movie is very average, but most people who are familiar with Pokemon will probably like it. The world-building in this film is great, and you can actually believe that this setting is real. Another aspect of the film that helps with the immersion is the fantastic CGI, and the great character design. The way the light interacts with the hairs on Pikachu is probably the best I've ever seen. But, other than Ryan Reynolds's amusing voice performance, the acting is horrible, namely Katherine Newton's performance, and it takes you right out of the movie. The plot is also very standard and has been done a million times before, and the movie overall is very predictable, and the twist was pretty dumb. Video game movies have a long way to go, but I can say this is the first one that I've seen that didn't leave a bad taste in my mouth.… Expand

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6

DedusMay 11, 2019

This is clearly aimed at people who grew up with the tv-show rather than the games, so keep that in mind before you watch.

Good entertainment, sure, but the more you think about it the more apparent how terrible the writing was at someThis is clearly aimed at people who grew up with the tv-show rather than the games, so keep that in mind before you watch.

Good entertainment, sure, but the more you think about it the more apparent how terrible the writing was at some points. Pacing issues, unnatural character development, corny dialogue and a terrible finale plagues this movie, which for all those flaws yet still is worth a watch for any core Pokémon fan.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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6

BulgarianCriticMay 13, 2019

As a guy who only knew the first generation pokemon i think it was a pretty good movie with nice effects.But i also think that they shouldve kept the story more light hearted it had too many serious moments and some pretty predictableAs a guy who only knew the first generation pokemon i think it was a pretty good movie with nice effects.But i also think that they shouldve kept the story more light hearted it had too many serious moments and some pretty predictable twists.I was also expecting more comedy since i mean come on ITS DETECTIVE PIKACHU FFS.Overall pretty ok movie for pokemon and non pokemon fans… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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6

Shajac19Jun 1, 2019

A fun movie even for non-Pokemon fans. This movie is highly entertaining if not the best-written masterpiece. As someone who is aware of Pokemon and can recognize a fair few of them, this movie was still far better than I expected it to be.A fun movie even for non-Pokemon fans. This movie is highly entertaining if not the best-written masterpiece. As someone who is aware of Pokemon and can recognize a fair few of them, this movie was still far better than I expected it to be. Ryan Reynolds and Justice Smith work better together than I would've thought and the movie held my attention to the end with a fun plot and some good jokes. Overall, a very good movie.… Expand

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6

ArtmalMay 26, 2019

I'm not a fan of the franchise(didn't even see original Pokémon), but people on reddit introduced new Pikachi memes so I decided to jump on the bandwagon and go to the cinema to watch the movie. Pokemons were cute, I really liked theI'm not a fan of the franchise(didn't even see original Pokémon), but people on reddit introduced new Pikachi memes so I decided to jump on the bandwagon and go to the cinema to watch the movie. Pokemons were cute, I really liked the animation work. The plot was somewhat disappointing(there is no clear narration of the story, everything seems illogical when you see it). Acting is also not very good sometimes. You also will see blatant bloopers(ridiculous object scaling, time travels). By the end of the day, it's funny movie to watch with family/friends but I wish the movie had less bloopers and more clearer story narration.… Expand

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6

SeppsMay 15, 2019

Visually great, though somewhat lacking in the plot department. This is a film in which a "twist" is pretty much just anything that hasn't been said out loud yet, even if the audience figured it out a little over an hour ago. That being said,Visually great, though somewhat lacking in the plot department. This is a film in which a "twist" is pretty much just anything that hasn't been said out loud yet, even if the audience figured it out a little over an hour ago. That being said, it's still beautiful, creative with its world design and surprisingly funny. Nitpickers will have no shortage of threads to pull on, but if you just want to enjoy a good comedy with some really gorgeous animation this is a solid pick.… Expand

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6

fsdgfdAug 19, 2019

Extremely witty and funny Ryan Reynolds does an excellent job playing Pikachu. The rest of the cast... not so much. Other than that the movie is passable with a decent plot.

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6

MahmusAug 22, 2019

It's far from perfect, but it's mostly what a good pokemon movie should be.

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6

Bugalugs213Aug 29, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's ok, has some good cameos from the pokemon but by the half way mark I just wanted it to end. Hair brained plot and an awkward voice for Pikachu made it a chore to sit through.… Expand

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6

ajzeg01Sep 15, 2019

This movie was pretty stupid, but I didn’t have a bad time watching it. I’m going to say right away that this is not a very good movie. It’s not well written or well acted, the cinematography and action weren’t anything special, most of theThis movie was pretty stupid, but I didn’t have a bad time watching it. I’m going to say right away that this is not a very good movie. It’s not well written or well acted, the cinematography and action weren’t anything special, most of the comedy fell pretty flat and the story just doesn’t make a lot of sense. However, this movie is awesome and worth seeing because of one thing: the Pokémon. There are Pokémon everywhere in this movie and they are delightful! They’re really well animated and you get a good variety of Pokémon from every generation. Every scene is jam-packed with detail and easter eggs. Chances are you’ll see your favourite Pokémon somewhere in this movie, no matter which generation you grew up with. Overall, this movie is okay. I’d recommend it only if you are a fan of Pokémon, even if you are just a casual fan or haven’t really been into it for a long time like me. If you like Pokémon, you’ll like this. If you aren’t a Pokémon fan, however, I have a feeling that this movie will just bore and confuse you. It does not explain anything about what a Pokémon is or how this world works. It just assumes that you already know coming in, which could be an issue for some. Instead, watch Zootopia, a much better movie with a similar story, universe and character dynamics. Well, we did it everyone! We finally got an okay video game movie! Now we just need a good one! It’ll get made someday, I know it!… Expand

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6

SoyHenryVNov 24, 2019

Esta es la película basada en un videojuego más decente y divertida que he visto. El equipo detrás de la película de Sonic debería de tomar cartas en el asunto y aprender de los aciertos de esta cinta.

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6

FilmanwaltDec 17, 2020

Trivial but okay. The film does not have a great or intoxicating Pokemon story but scores with a sometimes very nice look and nice gadgets and fan service away from the main event.

In my opinion, the film should have focused more on the cityTrivial but okay. The film does not have a great or intoxicating Pokemon story but scores with a sometimes very nice look and nice gadgets and fan service away from the main event.

In my opinion, the film should have focused more on the city and everything that happens in it, because there was a lot to discover that was much more exciting than the actual detective story.… Expand

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6

INU4SH4Jul 4, 2020

As a fan of Pokemon (not a huge one though), I enjoyed this movie. It was a fun watch, for the most part, thanks to its pretty good CGI and decent action scenes. My main issue with the movie was its story. It was definitely the movie'sAs a fan of Pokemon (not a huge one though), I enjoyed this movie. It was a fun watch, for the most part, thanks to its pretty good CGI and decent action scenes. My main issue with the movie was its story. It was definitely the movie's weakest point but did not kill the enjoyment.

It's a decent movie to watch if you enjoy Pokemon, so long as you don't get your hopes too high.… Expand

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6

Toasty87Jul 18, 2020

It's good but the plot and script is questionable plus the SJW vibes disturbs me.

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6

DolphinReviewsJul 20, 2022

It's a weird choice for the first live action Pokémon film but it does a good job adapting the Detective Pikachu 3ds game. Would be a lot better of a movie if some of the human acting was better and if it didn't have the awful twist ending.

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6

NRG_MHJun 28, 2023

It's a decent movie even if you haven't played the game it's based on. The CGI is so good that it makes me feel like Ryme City is an actual place in the world that you can visit, the plot was a bit basic but it was still a decent plot noneIt's a decent movie even if you haven't played the game it's based on. The CGI is so good that it makes me feel like Ryme City is an actual place in the world that you can visit, the plot was a bit basic but it was still a decent plot none the less, the characters felt like they all had a purpose in the movie in one way or another and to top it all off this movie started what I like to call the Video Game adaptation renaissance! (basically when game movies and shows started getting actually good). I'd totally reccomend this film to anyone who is/was a Pokemon fan (even if I only gave it a 6).… Expand

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5

vahnMay 25, 2019

First things first, I'm not a fan of Pokemon anymore and I've been stuck at gen 3 ever since then: I don't like pokemon, I don't care about pokemon, and I couldn't care less about pokemon on itself. The reason why I watched it it's because itFirst things first, I'm not a fan of Pokemon anymore and I've been stuck at gen 3 ever since then: I don't like pokemon, I don't care about pokemon, and I couldn't care less about pokemon on itself. The reason why I watched it it's because it tried to be something different, in a series of games and anime that is essentially the same - if not worse - and that never really innovated. This movie was a breath of fresh air and I was excited to see what was all about it, especially after playing the game which was REALLY good for an adventure game.

The movie is about a young boy named "nobody cares" who has to find his father "deadpool" while accompanied by "weebgirl" and a Pikachu, who's the movie real protagonist. Yeah I honestly don't remember any of the names of the main cast and for good reason: they're so bad and uninteresting that you could replace them with a cardboard figure and nobody would even notice the difference. The plot is about finding "nobody care"'s father and alongside they'll deal with Mewtwo, apparently from the region of Kanto - the first movie's region, if I'm right, making this is a sort of continuation...kinda? - and during this time they'll do some investigation, which brings one of the strongest points of the movie: it actually makes a good job at mixing real life with pokemon, much MUCH more than the original anime where it felt like we're invaders on an alien planet and I couldn't help but to say "wow this actually feels like a real pokemon world". Pokemon in the movie has a realistic look which tries to make them blend them but only works on some pokemon, like growlithes or aipoms, while others just feel out of place overall. Still, Kudos for the job done: I never really seen this kind of thing in any of the games or anime before (my sister plays them so I can see the "evolution" of pokemon) and I had no issue into believing that the world was our own just with pokemon in it. It really worked.

Too bad everything else sucks though.

So, story is all about finding the father of "nobody cares" and for doing that he'll find his father's pikachu, who can talk for some reasons - and I literally say for some reasons because it's never going to be explained - and later on they'll figure out that there's some conspiration and stuff, where they'll eventually find an area 51 kind of place and other stuff that nobody will care...seriously it's so badly explained I can't even remember half of it, it was so bad. Half of the plot is not explained, weebgirl literally pops out of nowhere and suddenly knows everything, nobody cares is such bad character that all he can do is whine and be confused, the bad guy is so OBVIOUS that I made a joke about him and I facepalmed so hard the cinema could hear my echo, and on top of that a lot of stuff is never explained and are just left behind.

On top of that the movie had a bad tendency to just be too kid friendly that it was disgustingly bad: a lot of "swearings" were teased, especially in my language, and there were even some scenes where "the blood" was basically removed by panning the camera over to not show the stuff. In fact, it was so badly done that I literally had no idea what happened, because in one scene Pikachu gets hit by a rock but it's not shown that he was actually wounded, so I just assumed he fainted.

Hey, hey you idiots, pokemon is a game/anime about monsters who fight with deadly gas, fire, psychic power, ice and more: I THINK some bruises or even some blood can be shown.

Bottom line, I really didn't like this movie: I was honestly curious about the detective Pikachu franchise because the game was pretty fun and Pikachu was a very fun character in the game - while the nobody cares of the game was just as bad if not even blander. Still, my point is that the movie is all about Pikachu and yes there were some funny parts, like the Mr. mime scene and even some chase scenes were okay. But that's the problem: it was OKAY, everything was just okay and I honestly blame the fact it tried to be too kid friendly, to avoid any violence so that the rating wouldn't be too high. I'm sorry but if you're trying to make an action movie for kids, make an action movie for kids like it should be and don't hold back.

As it is, this movie is just a mediocre adaptation overall: I only recommend it for the true fans of pokemon or if you have some kids who need some attention or you need to keep them at bay.

For everyone else...stick with the game this movie's based off. It's a whole lot better and it's much more fun to play.

PS: the main character's name is Tim Goodman, but do you honestly care that I told you?… Expand

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5

SouthernhammerMay 12, 2019

Please ignore the reviews saying this is a 10/10 movie because it definitely isn't. The world itself is fantastic to see. The whole Pokemon and people living side by side aspect is incredible and I spent every scene trying to drink it all inPlease ignore the reviews saying this is a 10/10 movie because it definitely isn't. The world itself is fantastic to see. The whole Pokemon and people living side by side aspect is incredible and I spent every scene trying to drink it all in and had a great time.

However, the plot itself and the general story telling is very poor and it's such a shame that they rush through a lot of immersive world scenes just to have the next generic run of the mill detective scene. Very poor story telling really let this movie down and it's a huge shame because the world they had built deserved better. It is still worth a watch but just know that the story itself will not hook you and you'll see a lot of the same tired cliches done poorly.… Expand

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5

SaintJames012May 24, 2019

This is a movie for children and those who were children when Pokemon first came to the U.S. The best aspects of the movie are Ryan Reynolds as Pikachu (he does an amazing job), and how cute they made the pokemon. Everything else is eitherThis is a movie for children and those who were children when Pokemon first came to the U.S. The best aspects of the movie are Ryan Reynolds as Pikachu (he does an amazing job), and how cute they made the pokemon. Everything else is either average or comically bad. Watch this movie for the pokemon or if your child wants to see it, but if you have not grown up with pokemon in your life, you will be completely bored.… Expand

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5

Voodoo123Aug 12, 2019

+Great pokemon easter eggs (not sure you can catch em all but there are loads!)
+Reminds me of who framed roger rabbit
-Lacklustre plot -Mixture of pacing and story issues take away from the fun -Lack of cheesy pokemon feels Pokemon films/tv+Great pokemon easter eggs (not sure you can catch em all but there are loads!)
+Reminds me of who framed roger rabbit
-Lacklustre plot
-Mixture of pacing and story issues take away from the fun
-Lack of cheesy pokemon feels

Pokemon films/tv show always lightened my mood with the cheesy feel good vibes that you either love or hate as a franchise fan. For me Pokemon detective pikachu doesn't strike this same core vibe and so felt flat overall. As a visual effects heavy movie, the live action actors performances clearly suffer as they attempt the 'looking around at things that arent there' bit that is required to make it all work. Overall I feel like this was a missed opportunity and as a fan of the original material would have much preffered to see a 'dragonball broly' style AAA animation instead (prob cost less as well!). Still good to see the franchise back on the big screen in spite of its weirder realistically hairy incarnation!… Expand

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5

Niles2K14May 10, 2019

The movie was average to say the least. It has pacing issues whereas the plot goes by way too quickly, it's not able to flow naturally. The characters especially seem like plot devices than anything else. They just spew out their data dump orThe movie was average to say the least. It has pacing issues whereas the plot goes by way too quickly, it's not able to flow naturally. The characters especially seem like plot devices than anything else. They just spew out their data dump or make long-winded speeches about the plot and Tim drifts along from one part of the plot to the next in a frantic manner. Ryan Reynolds as Pikachu is definitely one of the saving graces of this film because of how snarky and charismatic he can be. There are moments though when Pikachu talks way too much and it gets annoying when Tim's talking with somebody and Pikachu keeps adding in his two cents about what's going on which distracts me sometimes. I also find that the movie tries so hard to juggle being an action movie, a noir story and a comedy, it takes away from the mystery of the plot since it's extremely predictable. The plot twists suffer as a result of how predictable the plot is. I won't go into too much detail about that though. As for the main villain, I can't say much about him since he's extremely forgettable. In fact, he behaves like a villain from a Saturday morning cartoon. Despite all of these issues I have with the movie, the Pokemon look excellent in CGI live action. Their designs are near-perfect recreations of their video game designs though Mr. Mime and Ditto can be utterly creepy. I also like the graphical effects of the Pokemon's moves. Ryme City especially looks magical because of the diversity of Pokemon that inhabit the city while cooperating with the humans. It gives a sense of world-building though in actuality, the movie severely lacks world-building because of how insubstantial the plot is. This movie is pure fan service for Pokemon fans though it's mainly aimed towards the kids. It's not a bad movie at all, but it's extremely far from being the "best video game-movie". I would like a sequel to this and if there ends up being one, hopefully it improves upon this movie's pacing issues since that's the biggest problem I have with it.… Expand

3 of 9 users found this helpful36

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5

ImaginaryCriticJul 28, 2019

Not a big Pokemon so I came in with no expectations. It has its moments and its a cute family friendly film. But what I really felt was this movie felt bland and pretty unnecessary. Its in the era of remakes and it didn't work for me. It hasNot a big Pokemon so I came in with no expectations. It has its moments and its a cute family friendly film. But what I really felt was this movie felt bland and pretty unnecessary. Its in the era of remakes and it didn't work for me. It has three stars cause I can see why people like it and its for everybody.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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5

JLuis_001May 16, 2019

An empty and shallow attempt to perpetuate this franchise that will undoubtedly continue for many years but this live-action adaptation doesn't offer anything new or interesting at all.

The mixture in my opinion doesn't work. You have toAn empty and shallow attempt to perpetuate this franchise that will undoubtedly continue for many years but this live-action adaptation doesn't offer anything new or interesting at all.

The mixture in my opinion doesn't work. You have to admit when things are like that.
I do think it will have a sequel and if so, they need a better script and better characters. Not always the chaos of visual effects everywhere means narrative quality.

Definitely for kids and maybe Pokemon fans but for the rest I don't think so.

And as an extra I must say that Ryan Reynolds doesn't give much personality to Pikachu and it's not like the character had much in the first place.… Expand

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5

noybMay 12, 2019

Riddled with plotholes, a boring story, and terrible acting from almost everyone but Reynolds and even Pikachu was poorly written and Reynolds had to carry the part. Justice Smith was not terrible but not good by a long shot. MeanwhileRiddled with plotholes, a boring story, and terrible acting from almost everyone but Reynolds and even Pikachu was poorly written and Reynolds had to carry the part. Justice Smith was not terrible but not good by a long shot. Meanwhile Kathryn Newton was definitively the worst of the bunch with acting on par with Lele Pons, if you can call that acting. The only good part of this movie is the pokemon, but they did not focus enough on them or put enough different pokemon into the movie. I was really looking forward to an amazing world-building live action Pokemon movie, but instead this was what I got. I cannot stress enough how well-done the pokemon were, the FX people and Reynolds carried this movie the entire way.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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5

GrimStomperMay 13, 2019

Nothing special about this movie. It's easy to get lost in the fact that a live action Pokemon movie was made, but it doesn't hide the fact that the movie is just as mediocre as every other video game movie adaptation out there. One of theNothing special about this movie. It's easy to get lost in the fact that a live action Pokemon movie was made, but it doesn't hide the fact that the movie is just as mediocre as every other video game movie adaptation out there. One of the glaring flaws (and the worst flaw) about the movie is that the dialogue is terrible; it tries way too hard to be funny and if they did it less frequently I would've been able to get through the movie in less pain. If you're a video game fan then this movie will satisfy you enough to get through the cringy dialogue. If not, I would pass on this one.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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5

KlebartJun 21, 2019

I mean it's a Pokemon movie. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be but it's forgettable.

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5

JessthespiderJul 29, 2019

It's just a buddy cop movie with pokemon. It's really predictable and nothing all to crazy happens. But It's not really the worst movie I have seen. It feels like a lot of care went into it and like they really wanted it to be good but theyIt's just a buddy cop movie with pokemon. It's really predictable and nothing all to crazy happens. But It's not really the worst movie I have seen. It feels like a lot of care went into it and like they really wanted it to be good but they didn't know how to do it. They did the best they could, it's just there best is not very good.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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5

Bagoli_roliAug 31, 2019

So I went into this fully not knowing it was a kids movie. From trailers and listening to the hype I thought it was going to be a literal deadpool mixed with pokemon. It's not that bad for a modern kids movie but be warned its not thatSo I went into this fully not knowing it was a kids movie. From trailers and listening to the hype I thought it was going to be a literal deadpool mixed with pokemon. It's not that bad for a modern kids movie but be warned its not that enjoyable for anyone older.… Expand

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5

TheGreatNeithOct 8, 2019

It’s not bad. It’s not particularly good either, and it’s highly forgettable.

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5

Billy1764Feb 18, 2020

While I do respect the movie for staying true to it's source, it's more of a compensation for the lack of humor and entertainment the film provides. It's bland and boring, and it feels as if the movie relied too much on the animation. TheWhile I do respect the movie for staying true to it's source, it's more of a compensation for the lack of humor and entertainment the film provides. It's bland and boring, and it feels as if the movie relied too much on the animation. The obvious source for humor is supposed to be the casting choice of Ryan Renolds, but not only is it distracting, it's not funny either. Overall, while it's definitely a lot better than other video game movies, it's still not a very good movie.… Expand

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5

DarkwingSchmuckJul 9, 2023

Detective Pikachu is surprisingly not awful. It's not particularly good, but it's not awful. Its two young leads are very well cast, Ryan Reynolds is funny, it has some heart, and there's even a charming little twist that ties the whole thingDetective Pikachu is surprisingly not awful. It's not particularly good, but it's not awful. Its two young leads are very well cast, Ryan Reynolds is funny, it has some heart, and there's even a charming little twist that ties the whole thing together. I also really liked the kid-friendly Blade Runner look to the city. Unfortunately, next to nothing was done with its "detective" theme. Instead of aping Who Framed Roger Rabbit, they tried to force Marvel levels of action into a story that didn't warrant it.… Expand

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4

TyranianApr 26, 2020

Pokemon fans might be pleased with this film but others will be pretty bored.

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4

JoeCoolJun 12, 2019

Flimsy story, cringeworthy acting, no chemistry between the leads, no humor worth mentioning, nothing detective at all except for the hat. Maybe fun for 6 year olds or if you grew up with pokemon and are a really big fan, but otherwise notFlimsy story, cringeworthy acting, no chemistry between the leads, no humor worth mentioning, nothing detective at all except for the hat. Maybe fun for 6 year olds or if you grew up with pokemon and are a really big fan, but otherwise not worth watching at all. The whole movie is just ridiculous.… Expand

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4

FurryEskimoMay 11, 2019

This was hard to watch..
The plot was, confusing.. The dad's dead, he isn't, he is, he isn't, he is,,,, on and on..
There's a pointless and confusing villain twist at the end.. The acting is so cringy, reminding me of disney child moviesThis was hard to watch..
The plot was, confusing.. The dad's dead, he isn't, he is, he isn't, he is,,,, on and on..
There's a pointless and confusing villain twist at the end..
The acting is so cringy, reminding me of disney child movies from years ago..
Pikachu won't stop talking, and kind of ruins a lot of what should be cute, tender, or serious moments.
There's way too much bathroom humor.
The 8-12 pokemon you see in the trailer are all that exist in the entire film.
It's not a detective film, at all. They ask a question, and within minutes to seconds the answer is shoved in our face.
The male & female lead characters have NO chemistry, yet they're shoved together as a couple for some reason..
The main protagonist doesn't undergo any kind of meaningful character arc. He starts out shy, defensive, and moody, and he stays that way. He's mad at his dad for prioritizing work, but it's revealed his dad has been asking him to come live with him for years! Maybe even a decade!
I'm sorry to say I didn't laugh at this film.. The kids in front of me liked the bathroom humor, but I was excited for the plot and world building, and these both fell flat. You'd be better off rewatching the First Pokemon Movie.
Oh, and there seems to be an underlying message that GMOs are evil? I'm personally not against people voicing an opinion on this, but it seems a bit like fear mongering to me..… Expand

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

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4

Stampede60kkMay 17, 2019

Very bad movie that i tried to watch two twice. What the heck, this is even worst than Detective Pikachu game for 3ds. Script maybe not bad, but Director is f*ing crazy that the movie about pokemons is borring. Best part of movie is RyanVery bad movie that i tried to watch two twice. What the heck, this is even worst than Detective Pikachu game for 3ds. Script maybe not bad, but Director is f*ing crazy that the movie about pokemons is borring. Best part of movie is Ryan Reynolds and his jokes, actor Justice Smith not bad either.… Expand

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4

amheretojudgeMay 15, 2019

Reynolds is tapping to his own beat, peel him off from the project and he is giving you his tight twenty minutes on stage.

Pokemon Detective Pikachu Letterman works like a teenager. Or maybe because of the film's theme, he has adaptedReynolds is tapping to his own beat, peel him off from the project and he is giving you his tight twenty minutes on stage.

Pokemon Detective Pikachu

Letterman works like a teenager. Or maybe because of the film's theme, he has adapted himself into those avid video game players. But we will get into Rob Letterman's, the director, work later, first let's put the banners in trial. What is with this weird urge to magnify the gaming world into magnanimous IMAX screen? Failing perpetually and miserably on justifying the course of this virtual world into a throbbing storytelling arcs, even someone so skillful as Steven Spielberg could only barely reach there with his hands. And then to expect us to chug up all the pretentious dose of visual effects while compromising ourselves to understand the narration that THEY are trying to say.

And yet, they come in and say, every time, that this project is the game changer. Does the film contradict all your opinions on the adaptations of video games? No. It does not. Particularly, individually, the film is exactly like the vfx, fluffy and cute when the lens looks at our lead, and incredibly fake while focusing on others. And the term "entertainment" that they put so much weight on, is not their gripping or innovative storyline, but the incredibly self-claimed blabbermouth whose version of improv is the only reliable rope to hang on to.

From start to finish, all you want is to see Ryan Reynolds come up with some bizarre reference or hilarious comment to lighten up the dull scene. Justice Smith in the lead is confused, in a good way, but emotionally distant, in a bad way. Another major crisis is the effortfully choreographed action sequence where the whole world collapses and they are told to run the montage sequence of vfx explosion carrying the film for that section and then they dare promote Pikachu to Pokemon Detective Pikachu with no brains involved on investigation.… Expand

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4

JeffB4125May 10, 2019

Funny to watch this film without much poke-knowledge, but I guess the fan base is so big it doesnt matter if the film is incoherent to everyone else? I love how when people like something their first instinct to "question" critics. EveryoneFunny to watch this film without much poke-knowledge, but I guess the fan base is so big it doesnt matter if the film is incoherent to everyone else? I love how when people like something their first instinct to "question" critics. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, critics included, and I for one agree with most of them. This whole enterprise of a film just felt too much like a corporate product, like story and character development were just aped from better movies and ultimately played second fiddle to Pokemon! Cuteness! PG Deadpool! These cinematic franchise attempts are dragging on me, after Endgame Im spent. Now Im just looking forward movies that are movies, not more, and in the unfortunate case of pikachu, not less… Expand

3 of 10 users found this helpful37

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4

AuronnBEMay 29, 2019

Visually the movie is stunning, Ryan Reynolds also does a good job voicing Pikachu but the overall acting performances are not good at all. It already starts with the opening scene which immediately had me doubting if this could become anyVisually the movie is stunning, Ryan Reynolds also does a good job voicing Pikachu but the overall acting performances are not good at all. It already starts with the opening scene which immediately had me doubting if this could become any good further on. The story is pretty thin and we jump from one location to the other to show off some new Pokémon they could show off.

What ruins the whole film is the ultimate twist in the story. It was so un-Pokémon-like I gave up hope right there. Even visually giving it a thumbs down at that point tbh.… Expand

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4

kyrya833Jun 27, 2019

Very boring movie, it is only good quality graphics, but isn 2019 it is a reason to go to the movie?

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4

Sean_The_CriticJul 6, 2019

Two. Thats how many aspects of this movie i liked, the rest is terrible and at some points completely unbearable to sit through. The only two good things i found in this movie were the incredible animation, which really brought not only theTwo. Thats how many aspects of this movie i liked, the rest is terrible and at some points completely unbearable to sit through. The only two good things i found in this movie were the incredible animation, which really brought not only the pokémon look alive but the entire scenes. Some of the m were a bit ugly and creepy, but it matches most of their character traits so I actually like that. The only other thing I like was the inclusion of Ryan Reynolds as Pikachu, and the casting of Justice Smith (as Tim), cause they did a amazing job at portraying their characters. The rest of the movie however, disappoints, as the story is empty and bland compared to what we had hoped for. The ending is supposed to be disappointing, as the Pikachu character seems to hopefully prevent any sequels or future additions to this new "franchise".… Expand

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4

AlienboerSep 8, 2019

Nothing special here. The movie should have rather been a cartoon than this bad acting and excuse for r actors

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4

WhisperingGhostFeb 24, 2020

Straight money grab. They will continue making mediocre movies like this because people will keep paying to see their favorite video game characters on the big screen regardless of how crappy the movie actually is. (I’m guilty also.) All IStraight money grab. They will continue making mediocre movies like this because people will keep paying to see their favorite video game characters on the big screen regardless of how crappy the movie actually is. (I’m guilty also.) All I can say is that the character models of the Pokemon were cool. Could have been an awesome film. Oh well..… Expand

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4

wayrezMay 16, 2020

Detective Pikachu is not quite able to create a coherent story from his confusing mythology, and the weak detective part makes his wink to noir detectives inappropriate. But it is unlikely to scare away Pokemon fans and children who came toDetective Pikachu is not quite able to create a coherent story from his confusing mythology, and the weak detective part makes his wink to noir detectives inappropriate. But it is unlikely to scare away Pokemon fans and children who came to see Rime City with familiar pocket animals.… Expand

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3

MoviebuffreviewMay 11, 2019

Even as someone who is not all that invested in Pokemon as a franchise (which admittedly would hinder my enjoyment regardless), this feels like another classic case of Americans trying to adapt a Japanese property and having no clue what isEven as someone who is not all that invested in Pokemon as a franchise (which admittedly would hinder my enjoyment regardless), this feels like another classic case of Americans trying to adapt a Japanese property and having no clue what is appealing about it.

The two leads are fairly charming, and there are one or two amusing scenes. Otherwise, this script is a mess. It takes itself far too seriously, it is painfully predictable, it does not do a good job in fleshing out its characters, and it is a tonal disaster. The biggest issue for me is that it fails to deliver on two essential elements that fans seem to like about this property: the Pokemon battles and the relationship between a Pokemon and their master.

This is a waste of a potentially promising premise. That said, I can definitely see a younger generation of fans enjoying it for the thrill of seeing their favorite characters adapted to live action. Furthermore, bigger fans will definitely get some appreciation out of the lore. But as a movie, it just doesn't work.… Expand

9 of 24 users found this helpful915

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3

NearMay 25, 2019

This movie is terrible. Remove the Pokémons and you're left with nothing. The script is stupidly bad, but it still manages to be predictable. Ryan Reynolds does not have big enough shoulders to carry this movie on his own.

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3

imthenoobJul 23, 2019

The parts are better than the sum. I think the only real stand out moment for me was the small scene with Mr Mime. Aside from that, It's very forgettable. The acting was very rough in this movie, Some of the CG didn't blend as well as othersThe parts are better than the sum. I think the only real stand out moment for me was the small scene with Mr Mime. Aside from that, It's very forgettable. The acting was very rough in this movie, Some of the CG didn't blend as well as others and the pacing drags in the second half of the film. This film is definitely better suited for kids but even they may not like it that much.… Expand

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3

flametail23Jul 14, 2019

I'll start this review by saying that young children will love this movie. For them it will be an unpredictable and funny romp but for teenagers and adults, it is likely to bore although there are a few genuine laughs to be had along the way.

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3

Megajohn85May 10, 2019

I know this is a spin-off from the main series but seriously this is not the Pokemon I grew up on. I’m really saddened by this

6 of 25 users found this helpful619

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3

TrevorsViewMay 17, 2019

Knowing that we’re also getting a Sonic the Hedgehog movie later this year, Pokémon Detective Pikachu, feels like the start of the “Super Smash Bros. Cinematic Universe.” It’s lately been a trend other Marvel-imitators are trying to take on,Knowing that we’re also getting a Sonic the Hedgehog movie later this year, Pokémon Detective Pikachu, feels like the start of the “Super Smash Bros. Cinematic Universe.” It’s lately been a trend other Marvel-imitators are trying to take on, even Warner Bros. is trying to start its own “Dark Universe” with its latest reboots of Godzilla, the Mummy, and King Kong. This first ever live-action Pokémon movie perhaps exists with that unhealthy mentality. Whether or not if that’s the case, this feature film will quickly turn Hollywood wobblier than it was before.

The passive protagonist of this adaptation off the legendary franchise, Tim, is a lonely young man who apparently feels regret from his father’s death, and by the very end of his journey we see him take, he is still the same person. Any giant, fat, sleepy behemoth would have a higher IQ than him, at least such a beast can go through enough change to wake up for food; Tim never even acts out of free will. To make it even more dull, he gets a completely unnecessary love interest, Lucy, and as they accidentally clash heads as they both lean to pick something up—as a way to push their romance further. But spoiler alert: their love subplot is completely forgotten two-thirds of the way through. A chance to grieve over death never lands, for any information about the demise of Tim’s father only conveys itself via advanced holographic technology run by a shadowed bad guy stroking a feline without reason. It’s the same atmosphere and formula from every bland piece of Saturday morning cartoon entertainment.

Tim and Lucy live in a magical place called “Ryme City,” that was founded with the intent of bringing peace between people and Pokémon without any more battles (like Zootopia or some crap). Some of the cute little critters work there as firefighters and others as sushi chefs, but none of them work as guards around a top-secret facility. How come? Simple: because the kids got to break into it for the climax to happen. If it wasn’t for their trusty plot armor, the two leads’ passionless performance wouldn’t be bogged down enough for you to fantasize yourself in their place amidst such a colorful cast. By colorful though, I meant their exteriors, not their personalities.

Now, Lucy, the sole female character of the entire film, is by far the blandest of the cast, with so little disposition that she does not even care if her city is foremost masculine. In Ryme City, there are some Pokémon with ears used as DJ sound speakers, another muscular one with four arms guides traffic, but there are no feminine professions like beauty salon or flower booth owners to be seen. How is it that throughout production, no women in the cast or crew spoke up about the lack of diversity?

To be fair though, the concept of being distinct from the others is well captured through the digital creations of the Pokémon; well enough so that they look faithful to their classic anime counterparts. You could reach out and stroke the fur of the angry, growling pink bulldog Pokémon, then the special effects of a transforming fuchsia blob balances out the charm with its downright creepiness. In total, every one of these Pokémon gives much joy, and once the credits roll, you will want to keep at least one as a pet. Although others you will not want as a pet, as a gang of ninja frogs with tongues wrapped around their necks match the aura of legit horror.

Still though, as much as the IMAX sight adds some drops of black gesso against the glorious bright neon colors, the visuals only serve as a distraction from the awful writing. Maybe the final narrative twist could be pretty amazing without a thinking cap worn on your head. When taking the visual experience into deeper consideration, it’s still not terribly memorable, aside from one sequence featuring a garden of various turtle-like Pokémon. But not even that has any real plot significance aside from looking really cool. I’d even have to say the awful Jurassic Park sequels have more memorable impact with their even mix of digital and practical effects.

Speaking of that garden scene, it tries to be a part of a failed environmental message about a bunch of genetically manipulated dinosaur creatures that pose a danger to the people. Sound familiar? That kind of environmental message is one big pile of Goldblum if you ask me. But the worst thing of all, the entire script is held together by a tired out neglectful father trope, with sentences about the evil of humanity present for good measure. It’s a bad case of all these ideas tossed together randomly without a goal in mind.

With all this weak creativity reliant on old properties… of course it means exploitative businesses like this one would resort to making bank off a horrific case of brand exploitation. I mean it: Pokémon Detective Pikachu is literally a brand of a brand of a brand!… Expand

1 of 7 users found this helpful16

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3

theredskyJun 17, 2019

This is a crappy movie. It’s not the worst movie ever but it’s pretty bad. Here are the positives. Some of the Pokemon designs are good and creative. Some of the visual effects are good. Ken Watanabe, Bill Nighy, and Ryan Reynolds do a fineThis is a crappy movie. It’s not the worst movie ever but it’s pretty bad. Here are the positives. Some of the Pokemon designs are good and creative. Some of the visual effects are good. Ken Watanabe, Bill Nighy, and Ryan Reynolds do a fine job with the terrible script they are given. The negatives far far outweigh the positives. This is one of the most predictable films I have ever seen. It’s beat for beat a basic mystery film and it’s incredibly annoying. I was able to predict every outcome that was going to happen, the surprise villains, and every single twist. It makes the experience incredibly boring and tedious. There are a ton of cliches in the film which is also annoying. All the other actors especially Kathryn Newton did an awful job. They deliver their lines so bland and boring that you wanna claw your ears out. Some of the other Pokemon designs are atrocious and the visual effects for them don’t help either. They gave Mewtwo teeth. Just why? The script for this movie is also terrible. Every single line feels incredibly forced and unnatural. Some of the characters talk over each other and you can’t understand what they are saying. Some of the story elements are so confusing and come out of nowhere that it starts to become distracting. This film is edited and paced horribly. The cuts are so random and some scenes serve no purpose. The film starts really slow but then starts moving very very quickly. Overall, Pokemon Detective Pikachu is a predictable film filled with bad acting,a bad script, and a poor story. I give Pokemon: Detective Pikachu a 3/10.… Expand

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3

RobertFloydMay 26, 2019

This movie is bad, but I saw it with my friend and thru the entire movie we were making jokes about how bad it was and for me this is a so bad its good movie.

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3

CarlElmoreNov 22, 2022

Ryan Reynolds isn't as funny as you guys say he is. I just didn't care about anything going on in this film.

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2

The_LightMay 12, 2019

It's just an attempt to capitalize on nostalgia. On place of pokemon can be normal animals.

7 of 18 users found this helpful711

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2

jak645May 5, 2021

Pokemon fur as good rendering ... the story and the plots are **** awful ... don't waste your time with this ****

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1

lomineroJun 4, 2019

Very boring even for Pokémon fans. Wife and I both fell asleep. Pikachu doesn't even fight. It was just stupid and predictable.

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1

BRJacobsFeb 10, 2020

This film was objectively awful. So much of it could have been cut. None of the characters are likeable in the least. Ryan Reynolds was good as Pikachu, though not all of his jokes landed. Though the CGI worked for a lot of the pokemmon, someThis film was objectively awful. So much of it could have been cut. None of the characters are likeable in the least. Ryan Reynolds was good as Pikachu, though not all of his jokes landed. Though the CGI worked for a lot of the pokemmon, some of them were awfully constructed (Gengar, Mewtwo, Mr. Mime). The story was so bad because half of the time it made no sense. The female character was exceptionally awful, terrible actress and she could be written out of the movie with one or two rewrites. The environment doesn't feel lived in in the least. The bad guys plan makes no sense and breaks pokemon logic. Not deserving of praise.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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0

LifeHistoryJun 7, 2019

is this really for real? I thought Dragon ball Evolution was bad but this is ten times worst. Whats wrong with the people who made this? A garbage story and trash actors with very bad CGI.

1 of 7 users found this helpful16

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0

MatamesiQuieresMay 10, 2019

Worst video game movie ever, even worse than Street Fighter and House of the Dead.

10 of 74 users found this helpful1064

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Pokémon Detective Pikachu

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