Warner Bros has released the first trailer for Pokemon: Detective Pikachu. The film is based on the popular video game of the same name that first launched in 1996. Since its release, the game has become a global phenomenon releasing multiple game sequels and spinoffs. There’s also an anime television series in its 20th season that is available in 98 countries; and animated films that have grossed more than $700 million at the box office; as well as books, manga comics, music, toys, merchandise, and apps, including the wildly popular Pokémon GO, that is enjoyed across the globe by fans of all ages.
But what makes Pokemon: Detective Pikachu different from all of them is that the film will be the first live-action animation hybrid. Justice Smith will play the lead live-action role, while Ryan Reynolds will voice the wise-cracking Pikachu, who is wearing a detective hat. At first, the two couldn’t be more of an unlikely pair, but a mystery forces the two to go on an adventure unlike any other.
It may be strange to bring these animated 2D characters to life in 3D. Initially, the game took players on a journey in a region where the protagonist goes on a journey to battle other trainers and capture Pokemon. While that has been the concept for the past five games, it doesn’t necessarily lend itself to being a great game. With the repetitive story being one of the flaws. However, by focusing on its spinoff, we can still experience a world while enjoying some of the finer things we love about Pokemon.
Here’s the official plot synopsis:
“The story begins when ace detective Harry Goodman goes mysteriously missing, prompting his 21-year-old son Tim to find out what happened. Aiding in the investigation is Harry’s former Pokémon partner, Detective Pikachu: a hilariously wise-cracking, lovable super-sleuth who is a puzzlement even to himself. Finding that they are uniquely equipped to communicate with one another, Tim and Pikachu join forces on a thrilling adventure to unravel the tangled mystery. Chasing clues together through the neon-lit streets of Ryme City—a sprawling, modern metropolis where humans and Pokémon live side by side in a hyper-realistic live-action world—they encounter a diverse cast of Pokémon characters and uncover a shocking plot that could destroy this peaceful co-existence and threaten the whole Pokémon universe.”
Pokemon: Detective Pikachu also stars Kathryn Newton and Oscar nominee Ken Watanabe. Warner Bros. will release the film on May 10, 2019.
