UPDATE: The Detective Pikachu trailer is now online!

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An early screening of Detective Pikachu received considerable praise, with most of the positive reactions directed at Ryan Reynolds’ voice acting performance. Though the track record for most live-action video game adaptations isn’t especially stellar, it’s encouraging to hear that something as popular as Pokémon is garnering positive reviews.

Based on the video game of the same name, Detective Pikachu follows the titular “Electric-type” Pokémon (voiced by Ryan Reynolds) as he aims to solve a missing persons case. After his partner Tim Goodman (Justice Smith) discovers that his own father has gone missing, he recruits the help of Pikachu to find him. Also starring Kathryn Newton, Ken Watanabe, and Rita Ora, Detective Pikachu is a family film that aims to walk a fine line between comedy and mystery. Now that some people have witnessed the movie firsthand, it turns out that the reactions are resoundingly positive, and the soured reputation surrounding most video game adaptations doesn’t apply to this kid-friendly caper.

According to SuperBroMovies, an early screening of Detective Pikachu managed to pull in an overwhelmingly positive response from those in attendance. Most of the praise was directed at Reynolds, whose comedic timing and strong chemistry with co-star Smith elevate the movie considerably. Additionally, the screenplay was praised highly, and, even though some CGI elements - including Pikachu himself - weren’t 100 percent complete during the screening, the effects were said to be excellent.

One other standout element was aimed at the inclusion of various Pokémon Easter eggs. Though they were not specified in the reactions, they were evidently a standout inclusion in the movie. As for when audiences can expect to see these Easter eggs, as well as the first footage from the movie, the trailer will reportedly be released sometime in November, according to Trailer Track. 

While the audience reaction for Detective Pikachu is certainly good news for Pokémon fans, it’s also just as exciting for gamers in general. If Hollywood can finally perfect a live-action adaptation of a video game, there may well be hope in the future after all. With Reynolds’ involvement, as well as screenwriter Nicole Perlman, who co-wrote Guardians of the Galaxy with James Gunn, Detective Pikachu has potential to be the hit adaptation that nobody anticipated. That said, it’s worth mentioning that audiences shouldn’t anticipate the same unhinged Ryan Reynolds humor they’ve grown to love in the Deadpool series. That is, unless they’re referring to the upcoming PG-13 version of Deadpool 2 - which may still be a stretch.

More: Announced Video Game Movies We’re Still Waiting On

Sources: SuperBroMovies/Trailer Track

  • detective pikachu Release Date: 2019-05-10