--- title: "Pokémon Detective Pikachu: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/pokemon-detective-pikachu/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/pokemon-detective-pikachu" critics_score: 59 critics_reviews: 25 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019): what the critics said Critics' score 59 from 25 reviews: 6 positive, 15 mixed, 4 negative. The consensus is mixed, with most critics finding some family entertainment in Pokémon Detective Pikachu despite its weak story. Praise centres on Ryan Reynolds’s voice performance, particularly the contrast between Pikachu’s cuddly appearance and his dry remarks. Several reviews also credit his chemistry with Justice Smith with giving the film warmth. The neon-lit city and playful Pokémon encounters attract admiration, even among critics who find the mystery ordinary or confusing. Reservations cluster around convoluted plotting, heavy exposition and a drift towards familiar blockbuster action. The spread is broad: warmer reviews find enough humour and charm to forgive the formula, while detractors see an adaptation that offers newcomers little reason to care. The effects divide opinion particularly sharply. Eye for Film praises the convincing interaction between actors and digital creatures; Variety finds the Pokémon poorly integrated into the live-action setting. Even Reynolds cannot persuade every critic that the dialogue is funny. ## Empire — Olly Richards Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 3 May 2019. Richards finds the film entertaining despite weak plotting and heavy-handed exposition. He especially praises Ryan Reynolds’s comic performance and the odd-couple chemistry with Justice Smith. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/pokmon-detective-pikachu-review/) ## The Guardian — Steve Rose Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 3 May 2019. Rose finds the film entertaining family fare, though its mystery and human characters are fairly ordinary. He singles out Ryan Reynolds’s comic energy for giving the movie the spark it needs. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/may/03/pokemon-detective-pikachu-review-ryan-reynolds-grabs-film-by-scruff-of-the-neck) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Michael Rechtshaffen Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 2 May 2019. The critic finds the film fitfully entertaining and better than expected, though its elements never fully come together. Ryan Reynolds’s voice performance is singled out for bringing Pikachu an effective balance of wit and pathos. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/pokemon-detective-pikachu-review-1207169/) ## RogerEbert.com Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). The URL identifies a RogerEbert.com review of this film, but the page is blocked. Its verdict and any specific praise or complaint cannot be verified. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/pokemon-detective-pikachu-2019) ## Screen Daily — Tim Grierson Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 3 May 2019. The accessible page does not reveal the critic’s verdict. No specific praise or complaint is visible in the excerpt. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/pokemon-detective-pikachu-review/5138965.article) ## Evening Standard — Charlotte O'Sullivan Rating 3/5. 10 May 2019. O'Sullivan finds the film a surreal, enjoyable comedy, with Ryan Reynolds especially well suited to Pikachu. She also praises its intricate landscapes and says the gags are genuinely funny. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/pokemon-detective-pikachu-review-ryan-reynolds-in-his-goofy-element-a4138976.html) ## Little White Lies — Hannah Strong Rating 2/3/3. 3 May 2019. Strong finds the film silly but sincere, a warm and enjoyable nostalgia trip that never overstays its welcome. She praises the charm of Pikachu and the chemistry between Reynolds and Smith, while noting that the Pokémon world feels underexplored. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/pokemon-detective-pikachu) ## Radio Times — Victoria Luxford Rating 3/5. The review finds the film charming and says its focus on making a good film, rather than strict brand faithfulness, is a strength. It cautions that viewers unfamiliar with Pokémon may get lost in its colourful world. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-b7t5x6/pokmon-detective-pikachu/) ## Time Out — Phil de Semlyen Rating 3/5. 4 May 2019. The critic finds the adaptation fun, but says its plotting becomes ponderous and familiar. The playful anarchy is what initially makes it entertaining. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/pokemon-detective-pikachu) ## Total Film — Neil Smith Rating 3/5. 3 May 2019. The critic finds the film entertaining but held back by a boilerplate formula. Reynolds’s wisecracking Pikachu is singled out as its greatest asset. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/detective-pikachu-review/) ## Los Angeles Times — Katie Walsh Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 8 May 2019. Walsh finds the film silly fun overall, though its story becomes baffling. She praises the committed, playful world-building and neo-noir atmosphere. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-pokemon-detective-pikachu-review-20190508-story.html) ## Slant Magazine — Pat Brown Rating 2/4. 7 May 2019. The review finds the film an efficiently structured but ultimately unresolved brand exercise. It praises Ryan Reynolds’s casting as Pikachu for balancing the character’s adorable appearance with absurd humor. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/detective-pikachu-review/) ## Variety — Peter Debruge Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 2 May 2019. Debruge finds the film a half-baked, disappointing adaptation that requires familiarity with the franchise. He praises the Charizard battle as a glimpse of the action the film could have delivered, while criticizing the effects and the Pokémon’s unconvincing integration into the live-action world. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/pokemon-detective-pikachu-review-ryan-reynolds-1203203447/) ## Vulture — Bilge Ebiri Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 8 May 2019. Ebiri finds the film mostly uninspired and neither funny nor committed enough to its genre conceit. He praises the contrast of Pikachu’s cuddly appearance with Ryan Reynolds’s snarky voice, while finding the Pokémon themselves fun to watch. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2019/05/pokmon-detective-pikachu-2019-review.html) ## Eye for Film — Amber Wilkinson Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 9 May 2019. Wilkinson finds it an entertaining, funny adaptation that should appeal to children and adults. She especially praises the lived-in world and the actors’ seamless interaction with the CGI Pokémon. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/pokemon-detective-pikachu-2019-film-review-by-amber-wilkinson) ## Paste — Joelle Monique Rating 7.7. 13 May 2019. Monique finds the film an enjoyable, if predictable, family-friendly romp. She praises its neon-noir cinematography and Ryan Reynolds’s infectious performance as Pikachu. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/detective-pikachu/pokemon-detective-pikachu-1) ## HeyUGuys Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). The critic finds it a fun, charming film, though its story lacks bite and feels somewhat predictable. They praise the vivid design of Ryme City and the playful interplay among the main characters. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/detective-pikachu-review/) ## The Playlist — Ryan Oliver Rating B-. 3 May 2019. Oliver finds the film an entertaining, visually striking adventure, despite its uneven narrative and tonal shifts. He especially praises the world-building and the believable chemistry between Ryan Reynolds’s Pikachu and Justice Smith’s Tim. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/pokemon-detective-pikachu-review-20190503/) ## Consequence — Dominick Suzanne-Mayer Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 7 May 2019. The critic finds the film an enjoyable, endearing family movie, though its pacing and muddled tone make it a slight letdown. The outstanding animation is praised, even as Pokémon are too often hidden or shown only in fleeting glimpses. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2019/05/film-review-pokemon-detective-pikachu/) ## Digital Spy — Hugh Armitage Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 3 May 2019. The critic finds it an enjoyable but flawed film, with a bizarre plot and uneven visual effects. Reynolds and Smith’s chemistry and the bond between their characters provide the movie’s strongest asset. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a27180388/detective-pikachu-review-pokemon-ryan-reynolds/) ## /Film — Hoai-Tran Bui Rating 6.5/10. 2 May 2019. The review finds the film mostly effective, though its convoluted plot and dull protagonist keep it from fully embracing its unusual premise. It praises the vibrant, richly realized world and the scene-stealing Pokémon, especially Pikachu and Psyduck. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/566135/detective-pikachu-review/) ## Den of Geek — Matthew Byrd Rating 3/5. 10 May 2019. Byrd finds the film charming and inventive at first, but says it declines into a generic blockbuster. He praises the lively world-building and the way the Pokémon and noir influences are blended. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/detective-pikachu-review/) ## NME — Alex Flood Rating ★★★. 3 May 2019. The review finds the film witty and enjoyable, but says its rushed finale keeps it from fully evolving. It praises the chemistry between Justice Smith and Ryan Reynolds, which carries the first half. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/pokemon-detective-pikachu-review-2483548) ## The Skinny — Jamie Dunn Rating ★★. 10 May 2019. Dunn finds the film visually striking but ultimately unsatisfying and confusing. He praises the neon-lit, rain-slicked look of Ryme City, while faulting the convoluted plot and weak blend of noir and Pokémon charm. [Read the review](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/pokemon-detective-pikachu) ## The Wrap — Alonso Duralde Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 9 May 2019. Duralde finds the film overstuffed, underwritten and difficult to follow, with little wit or engagement for newcomers. He praises a striking forest sequence, while noting that Ryan Reynolds works hard to sell the dialogue. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/detective-pikachu-film-review-pokemon-ryan-reynolds-2019-duralde/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/pokemon-detective-pikachu.md