Pokémon: Detective Pikachu is a colorful neo-noir adventure set in a world where humans and Pokémon coexist. Blending mystery, humor, and a surprising dose of emotional depth, it brings the Pokémon universe to live-action in a way that feels both fresh and nostalgic.
Detailed Summary
The Disappearance of Harry Goodman
The story begins with the mysterious accident of detective Harry Goodman, believed to be dead after a catastrophic crash outside Ryme City. His son Tim, who has long been emotionally distant from him, arrives to settle his father’s affairs. This sets the tone for the movie’s underlying theme: estranged relationships and healing old wounds.
Meeting Detective Pikachu
Inside Harry’s apartment, Tim encounters a talking Pikachu—wearing a detective hat and sounding suspiciously like Ryan Reynolds—who claims to have been Harry’s partner. Unusually, Tim is the only person able to understand Pikachu’s speech. With the memory-wiped Pikachu determined to uncover the truth, the two form an uneasy but entertaining partnership.
Discovering the R Conspiracy
Tim and Pikachu uncover a vial of a substance known as R, which triggers Pokémon into uncontrollable rage when released. Their investigation leads them to journalist Lucy Stevens and her Psyduck, who help reveal that the R chemical is connected to a much larger plot involving genetic manipulation and mind transfer technology.
Mewtwo and the Deeper Plot
The pair learn that Mewtwo, one of the most powerful Pokémon in existence, escaped confinement shortly before Harry’s supposed death. Footage appears to show it attacking Harry’s car. But Pikachu begins to doubt himself when he thinks he may have played a role in Harry’s crash, creating tension between him and Tim.
Movie Ending
The climax takes place at the parade in Ryme City. Billionaire founder Howard Clifford, seemingly confined to a wheelchair, reveals his master plan:
He intends to merge Pokémon and humans into single entities using Mewtwo’s powers. Clifford merges his consciousness with Mewtwo and begins forcibly fusing the city’s population with their partner Pokémon—believing this is the next evolution of humanity.
Tim confronts Clifford’s son, Roger, thinking he’s behind everything, only to discover that the Roger committing crimes is actually a Ditto in disguise—an unsettling twist, especially when Ditto briefly switches to its eerie blank-eyed human form.
Meanwhile, Pikachu fights against Mewtwo (controlled by Clifford), ultimately destroying the transmitter device that allows Clifford to maintain control.
Once freed, Mewtwo restores everyone and explains the truth:
- Harry was gravely injured in the crash.
- Pikachu allowed Mewtwo to merge Harry’s consciousness into his own body, saving his life.
- This is why Tim could understand Pikachu all along—he was literally talking to his father’s mind.
Mewtwo separates the two, returning Harry to his human form. In an emotional final scene, Tim chooses to stay in Ryme City with his father, and the two begin rebuilding their relationship. Pikachu, now a regular (and adorable) electric mouse again, completes the heartfelt conclusion.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
There are no post-credits scenes in Pokémon: Detective Pikachu. The story ends definitively with Tim and Harry reunited.
Type of Movie
This film is a fantasy-mystery adventure with noir influences. It blends classic Pokémon charm with the structure of a buddy-cop detective story.
Cast
- Ryan Reynolds — Detective Pikachu / (voice of) Harry Goodman
- Justice Smith — Tim Goodman
- Kathryn Newton — Lucy Stevens
- Bill Nighy — Howard Clifford
- Ken Watanabe — Detective Yoshida
- Chris Geere — Roger Clifford
Film Music and Composer
The score is composed by Henry Jackman, who mixes noir-style motifs with energetic, game-inspired melodies. His music helps sell the atmosphere of Ryme City as a living, breathing fusion of neon-lit detective mystery and Pokémon whimsy.
Filming Locations
The movie was filmed primarily in:
- London, England — provided urban environments for Ryme City’s architecture
- Scotland — used for scenic countryside shots
- Warner Bros. Leavesden Studios — where many interior and CGI-heavy scenes were constructed
The blend of real-world cityscapes with CGI elements helped create Ryme City’s unique hybrid of Tokyo, London, and futuristic metropolis aesthetics, grounding Pokémon in a believable live-action environment.
Awards and Nominations
While not a major awards sweeper, the film received recognition for visuals and production quality, including:
- Saturn Award Nomination — Best Fantasy Film
- Visual Effects Society (VES) Nomination — Character Animation
- People’s Choice Nomination — Favorite Family Movie
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Ryan Reynolds improvised many of Pikachu’s funniest lines.
- Justice Smith attended a “Pokémon boot camp” to learn on-set interaction with invisible CG characters.
- To create believable Pokémon textures, artists studied animal biology in detail—Charizard’s scales, Pikachu’s fur, etc.
- The Mr. Mime interrogation scene was originally much darker but was toned down.
- Reynolds filmed certain motion-capture scenes to guide Pikachu’s expressions and personality.
Inspirations and References
- Heavily inspired by the 2016 video game “Detective Pikachu” for the Nintendo 3DS.
- Visual world-building draws from noir classics and futuristic cities like the ones in Blade Runner and The Fifth Element.
- The human-Pokémon partnership themes echo earlier Pokémon storylines, especially Pokémon: The Movie 2000 and Mewtwo Returns.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
- A longer introduction of Tim’s life before arriving in Ryme City was filmed but cut for pacing.
- Early drafts featured more Pokémon battles, but directors shifted focus toward mystery rather than action-heavy sequences.
- A darker version of the finale existed where Clifford briefly succeeds further before being stopped.
No fully animated alternate ending was released.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The movie is loosely connected to the Detective Pikachu game, but not a direct adaptation. Key differences:
- In the game, Tim never meets his father, and Pikachu retains his human-like speech consistently.
- The movie adds the mind-merging twist, which does not appear in the game.
- Ryme City’s design is more cinematic and less cartoonish than its game counterpart.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The encounter with Mr. Mime and the invisible “box escape.”
- Tim and Pikachu infiltrating the underground Charizard battle ring.
- The chaotic Torterra garden, where the land itself begins to shift.
- Pikachu realizing he may have betrayed Harry and walking away in guilt.
- The emotional separation and reunion of Harry and Pikachu at the finale.
Iconic Quotes
- “A stranger is just a friend you haven’t made yet.” — Detective Pikachu
- “I’m gonna need a hero… or a miracle.” — Tim
- “We’re partners. And we’re gonna figure this out… together.” — Tim to Pikachu
- “I push people away before they can ever leave me.” — Tim
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Posters referencing classic Pokémon moves appear in the underground battle arena.
- The coffee addiction is a nod to the game’s Pikachu, who’s obsessed with the drink.
- The Greninja chase scene mimics the quick, water-like animations from the anime.
- Ditto’s creepy human transformation is a direct reference to its “blank face” design in early games.
Trivia
- Ryan Reynolds’ daughter was a major reason he accepted the role—she was obsessed with Pikachu.
- The film was the first live-action Pokémon movie ever released.
- More than 60 different Pokémon species appear on screen.
- The Mr. Mime scene was not originally in the script; it was created during brainstorming sessions.
- Psyduck’s role was expanded because early test audiences loved him.
Why Watch?
Because it is a rare example of a video game adaptation done right. The movie offers a charming mystery, believable Pokémon in live-action, and a surprisingly emotional ending. It’s both nostalgic for longtime fans and accessible for newcomers. The chemistry between Tim and Pikachu is especially engaging, blending humor with moments of genuine heart.
Director’s Other Movies
- Goosebumps (2015)
- Monsters vs. Aliens (2009)
- Shark Tale (2004)
- Gulliver’s Travels (2010)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
- Ready Player One (2018)
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
- Zootopia (2016)
- The Adventures of Tintin (2011)
