STORY BY JOHN CARTER JR
When it comes to film adaptations, video game series such as Silent Hill, Mortal Kombat, and even the Super Mario franchise have been handled in such ways that have both fans and critics disgusted and disappointed. Now with the confirmation of Illumination creating a New Super Mario animated movie and the release of a new Pokemon live action movie by Legendary entertainment, we the fans, are holding out hope and excitement to see what these studios can offer. From the POKEMON Detective Pikachu trailer, we gain some insight about what the film will touch upon and moreover which of our favorite pocket monsters will make it in.
“Welcome to Rhyme City, A celebration of the harmony between humans and Pokemon”
We are introduced to a location that has seemingly not been mentioned in the Pokemon video game franchise or in the Manga. Rhyme City is a Metropolis of sorts with a high diversity of people and Pokemon. Many of the creatures being from a plethora of different games in the franchise, from Dodrio and Charmander to Victini and Whooper.
The films focus on Tim (Justice Smith), a young man who joins the police force (presumably) in an attempt to follow in the footsteps of his father. We meet an unnamed character who is presumed to be another police officer who knew his father, he even mentions that Tim once wanted to be a Pokemon Trainer (the role a player would traditionally take on in a Pokemon game).
We soon meet the titular Pikachu, voiced by Ryan Reynolds, in Tim’s apartment. The little electric mouse is surprised that Tim can understand him. We are then taken through different clips of the films and see some of the scenes with other Pokemon characters who seem to look a bit different from their original counterparts:
I have to say I am very impressed with Psyduck and Jigglypuff’s look, With Psyduck’s feathers showing through and Jigglypuff’s fabulous pink fur. The trailer ends with a scene between Tim, Pikachu, and a Pokemon who is notorious for being a bit creepy.
The Fairy/Psychic type Pokemon Mr. Mime isn’t a character you’d think gets much attention, let alone a whole scene, in a film of this magnitude, but it is welcomed. Mr. Mime is designed exceptionally well with freckles, little hairs on his formerly bald head, and dodgeball shoulders.
The trailer ends with more action sequences, including a chase scene from a group of Greninja and a Pokemon cage match with the popular starter Pokemon Charizard and Pikachu. Charizard looks to be a bit more dragonic than previous depictions.
So far the new Pokemon adaptation is seeming to not be disappointing like previous video game-film adaptations for its character models and nostalgia factor. Tiger Media Network will be reviewing POKEMON Detective Pikachu when it releases on May 10, 2019, in theaters near you.