Pokémon Detective Pikachu Review

Pokémon Detective Pikachu

Release Date: 9th May 2019 - Australia

Production Companies

Warner Bros. Pictures (presents)

Legendary Entertainment (presents)

The Pokémon Company

Toho Company (in association with)
Province of British Columbia Production Services Tax Credit
Nintendo (additional copyright holder)
Creatures (additional copyright holder)
GAME FREAK (additional copyright holder)

Distribution

Roadshow Films

Genre: Family/Mystery

Rating: PG

Runtime: 104 minutes

Budget: $150,000,000

Box Office Gross: $450,063,166 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

When an expert detective named Harry Goodman goes missing, it's up to his son, Tim, to investigate. Tim teams up with Harry's former Pokémon partner, a Pikachu (only Tim can communicate with), who tags along and helps with the investigation. They set out on a mystery in the sprawling metropolis of Ryme City, where humans and Pokémon peacefully co-exist, to unravel a shocking discovery that could destroy the Pokémon universe.

Cast

Ryan Reynolds - Detective Pikachu

Justice Smith - Tim Goodman

Kathryn Love Newton - Lucy Stevens

Bill Nighy - Howard Clifford

Ken Watanabe - Lieutenant Hide Yoshida

Chris Geere - Roger Clifford

Suki Waterhouse - Ms. Norman

Josette Simon - Grams

Rita Ora - Dr. Ann Laurent

Karan Soni - Jack

Max Fincham - Young Tim Goodman

Ikue Ôtani - Pikachu (Voice)
Rina Hoshino - Mewtwo (Voice)
Kotaro Watanabe - Mewtwo (Voice)

Crew

Screenplay/Director - Rob Letterman
Based on "Pokémon" - Satoshi Tajiri, Ken Sugimori and Junichi Masuda
Characters - Atsuko Nishida
Original Story - Tomokazu Ohara and Haruka Utsui

Original Creator: "Detective Pikachu" - Hiroyuki Jinnai
Story/Screenplay - Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit
Story - Nicole Perlman
Screenplay - Derek Connolly
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Joseph M. Caraccioli Jr.
Executive Producers - Tsunekazu Ishihara,

Hiro Matsuoka, Ali Mendes, Toshio Miyahara,

Kenji Okubo and Koji Ueda
Producers - Cale Boyter,
Hidenaga Katakimi, Don McGowan
and Mary Parent
Co-Producer/Visual Effects Producer -

Greg Baxter

Co-Producer - Lisa Dennis
Co-Producer/First Assistant Director -
Cliff Lanning
Casting Directors - Sarah Finn and
Jina Jay
Production Designer - Nigel Phelps

Production Designer: Additional Photography -

Shepherd Frankel
Supervising Art Directors - Ben Collins

and David Allday
Art Directors - Andrea Borland,
Guy Bradley, Nick Dent, Shira Hockman,
Rhys Ifan and Nic Pallace

Set Decorator - Lisa Chugg
Costume Designer - Suzie Harman

Makeup and Hair Designer - Frances Hannon
Cinematography - John Mathieson

Aerial Director of Photography - Adam Dale

Production Supervisor - Jessica Derhammer

Unit Production Manager - Sam Breckman

Supervising Location Manager - Chris Moore

Location Managers - Susannah Booker,

Jamie Jones, Mandy Sharpe and

Julia Tomlinson (Uncredited)
Second Unit Director - Stephen Wolfenden
Stunt Coordinator - Mark Henson

Picture Vehicles Supervisor - Alex King

Special Effects Supervisor - Steven Warner
Visual Effects Supervisor - Erik Nordby

Visual Effects Supervisors: MPC - Pete Dionne

and Bryan Litson

Senior Visual Effects Supervisor: Framestore -

Jonathan Fawkner

Visual Effects Supervisor: Framestore -

Carlos Monzon

Visual Effects Supervisor: Rodeo FX - Peter Nofz
Visual Effects Producers: Framestore -

Johannes Bresser and Martina Chakarova
Visual Effects Consultant - Page Buckner

Creature Creative Designer - Kristyan Mallett

Animation Supervisor - Ferran Domenech

Compositing Supervisors: Framestore -

Dominique Fiore and Gavin McKenzie

Assets Supervisor: Image Engine -

Barry Poon

Previz Creative Supervisors: The Third Floor,

Inc. - Vincent Aupetit, Nicolas Markel

and Joshua Wassung

Film Editors - Mark Sanger and
James Thomas

Supervising Sound Editors: E2 - Erik Aadahl

and Ethan Van der Ryan

Sound Designers: E2 - John Marquis and

Brandon Jones

Production Sound Mixer - John Midgley

Re-Recording Mixers - Jon Taylor

and Frank A. Montano

Creative Director: End Titles - Jarik Van Sluijs

Music Supervisors - Peter Afterman

and Margaret Yen
Music - Henry Jackman

Review

I remember getting introduced to Pokémon as a kid, and it seems so long ago that I started playing a few of its games. Then I started watching the anime show on Channel 10 on Cheez TV and Cartoon Network. I was excited to hear that a live-action Pokémon film was in the works. Unfortunately, I wasn't expecting a movie based on a specific spin-off video game of the franchise. I was sceptical of the film about the titular Pokémon character who talks like a human because it seemed weird. In other words, I had low expectations. Particularly when Ryan Reynolds, best known for playing Deadpool, is cast as the voice of Pikachu. My opinion changed when I read the film's reviews that showered it with praise.

Unlike the other Pokémon features that received mixed reviews, critics were less caustic towards this one. Most video game movie adaptations have not had a good track record, with some turning out to be disappointments in the critical and box-office reception. Thankfully, DETECTIVE PIKACHU turned things around and is the best video game movie adaptation I have seen. The humour is very witty and offbeat. It makes the film extremely satisfying to watch. Reynolds' talking Pikachu was the reason why the movie was so funny. Another layer of DETECTIVE PIKACHU was an intriguing mystery with twists to keep moviegoers engaged.

Reynolds did a fantastic job voicing the titular character, bringing charm and comic timing to the role. Reynolds was a blast in this movie. However, he also had some heartfelt moments in his performance. Justice Smith was not the best actor in Hollywood, but he was okay in his role as Tim. Bill Nighy is still Bill Nighy, and it was unexpected to see him in a Pokémon movie. I felt the CGI visuals were good and breathed life into the Pokémon in this film.

I have nothing more to say about DETECTIVE PIKACHU, but it is a must-see movie for all Pokémon fans. Some fans may not like it, but it won't stop them from watching and enjoying the anime series and playing the franchise's video games.

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

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Who Framed Roger Rabbit Review

Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Release Date: 24th November 1988 - Australia

Production Companies

Touchstone Pictures (presents)

Amblin Entertainment

Silver Screen Partners III (in association with)

Walt Disney Feature Animation (Uncredited)

Distribution

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia

Genre: Comedy/Mystery

Rating: PG

Runtime: 104 minutes


Budget: $58,000,000

Box Office Gross: $351,500,000 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
In 1947, Eddie Valiant, a Toon-hating detective, must solve the murder of Acme Corporation and Toontown owner Marvin Acme and prove the innocence of cartoon star Roger Rabbit, who was the prime suspect in this heinous crime. They must learn to watch out for the sinister Judge Doom, who will stop at nothing to bring Roger to justice.

Cast

Bob Hoskins - Eddie Valiant

Christopher Lloyd - Judge Doom
Joanna Cassidy - Dolores
Stubby Kaye - Marvin Acme
Alan Tilvern - R. K. Maroon
Richard LeParmentier - Lt. Santino

Betsy Brantley - Jessica's Performance Model

Joel Silver - Raoul (Director)

Paul Springer - Augie

Richard Ridings - Angelo

Mike Edmonds - Stretch

Morgan Deare - Editor

Voice Cast

Charles Fleischer - Roger Rabbit/Benny the Cab/

Greasy/Psycho

Kathleen Turner - Jessica Rabbit (Uncredited)

David L. Lander - Smart Ass

Fred Newman - Stupid
Lou Hirsch - Baby Herman

Mae Questel - Betty Boop

Mel Blanc - Bugs Bunny/Daffy

Duck/Tweety Bird/Sylvester/

Porky Pig
Joe Alaskey - Yosemite Sam/Foghorn Leghorn

Wayne Allwine - Mickey Mouse

Tony Anselmo - Donald Duck

Russi Taylor - Birds/Minnie Mouse

Bill Farmer - Goofy (Uncredited)
Tony Pope - Goofy/Wolf
April Winchell - Mrs. Herman
Frank Sinatra - The Singing Sword (archive sound)
Frank Welker - Dumbo
June Foray - Wheezy/Lena Hyena
Richard Williams - Droopy

Pat Buttram - Bullet #1

Jim Cummings - Bullet #2

Jim Galland - Bullet #3

Less Perkins - Mr. Toad

Peter Westy - Pinocchio

Cherry Davis - Woody Woodpecker

Mary T. Radford - Hippo

Morgan Deare - Gorilla

Crew

Director - Robert Zemeckis
Based on the Novel "Who Censored Roger

Rabbit?" - Gary K. Wolf

Screenplay - Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman

Associate Producers - Don Hahn and

Steve Starkey

Executive Producers - Steven Spielberg

and Kathleen Kennedy
Producer/Second Unit Director: UK -

Frank Marshall
Producer - Robert Watts

Casting Director: UK - Priscilla John

Production Designers - Elliot Scott
and Roger Cain

Production Illustrators: USA - Martin A. Kline

and David Russell
Concept Designer - Michael Peraza Jr.

Art Director: UK - Stephen Scott

Location Art Director: UK - Keith Pain

Draughtsmen: UK - Richard Holland

and Peter Russell

Storyboard Artists: UK - Michael White and

Syd Cain

Storysketch: Animation - Joe Ranft,

Mark Kausler, Hans Bacher and

Harald Siepermann

Layout - Roy Naisbitt

Layout: Additional Animation -

William H. Frake III and Dave Dunnet

Set Decorator: UK - Peter Howitt

Set Decorator: USA - Robert R. Benton

Property Master: UK - Barry Wilkinson
Costume Designer - Joanna Johnston

Assistant Costume Designer - Graham Churchyard

Makeup Artist: UK - Peter Robb-King

Chief Makeup Artist: Second Unit, UK -

Lois Burwell

Hair Stylist: UK - Colin Jamison
Director of Photography - Dean Cundey

Additional Photography: Second Unit, UK -

Paul Beeson

Director of Photography: Second Unit, USA -

Gregg Heschong

Camera Operators: UK - Raymond Stella

and David Worley

Camera Operator: Second Unit, USA -

James L. Bryan

First Assistant Camera: USA - Clyde E. Bryan

and Stephen Tate

Production Manager: UK - Patricia Carr

Unit Production Manager: USA - Jack Frost Sanders

First Assistant Director: UK - Michael Murray

First Assistant Director: USA - David McGiffert

First Assistant Director: Second Unit, USA -

Marty P. Ewing

Second Assistant Director: UK - Chris Brock

Third Assistant Director: UK - Peter Heslop

Location Manager: UK - Philip Kohler

Second Unit Director: UK - Ian Sharp

Second Unit Director: USA - Max Kleven

Stunt Arranger - Peter Diamond

Chief Puppeteer: UK - David Alan Barclay

Director of Animation - Richard Williams

Supervising Animator: "Roger Rabbit" -

Andreas Deja
Supervising Animators - Russell Hall,
Phil Nibbelink and Simon Wells

Chief Executive and Supervising Animator:
Additional Animation - Dale Baer

Animation Consultants - Stan Green,
Chuck Jones and Walt Stanchfield

Animation Effects Supervisor - Chris Knott

Animated Effects Supervisor: Additional

Animation - Don Paul

Animation Camera Supervisor -

John Leatherbarrow

Mechanical Effects Supervisor - George Gibbs
Special Effects Supervisor: USA -

Michael Lantieri
Visual Effects Supervisor - Ken Ralston

Optical Photography Supervisor - Ed Jones

Visual Effects Camera Operator - Scott Farrar

Supervising Model Maker - Steve Gawley

Assistant Director/Unit Production Manager:

ILM - Ian Bryce

Matte and Roto Supervisor - Annie Elvin

Animation Supervisor - Wes Takahashi

Stop-Motion Animator - Tom St. Amand

Film Editor - Arthur Schmidt

Animation Editor - Nick Fletcher

Associate Editors: UK - Peter Lonsdale

and Colin Wilson

Assistant Editors: UK - Carin-Anne Strohmaier,

Andrew MacRitchie and Lynne Bailey Smith

Supervising Sound Editors - Charles L. Campbell

and Louis L. Edemann

Re-Recording Mixers - Robert Knudson,

John Boyd, Don Digirolamo and Jim Fitzpatrick

Foley Artists - Ellen Heuer and John Roesch

Foley Recordist - Greg Orloff

Music - Alan Silvestri

Awards

1989 Academy Awards
Best Film Editing - Arthur Schmidt (Won)
Best Sound Effects Editing - Charles L. Campbell
and Louis L. Edemann (Won)
Best Visual Effects - Ken Ralston,

Richard Williams, Ed Jones and George Gibbs (Won)

Special Achievement Award - Richard Williams (Won)
-----------------------
Best Cinematography - Dean Cundey (Nominated)
Best Art Direction - Elliot Scott and Peter Howitt (Nominated)
Best Sound - Robert Knudson, John Boyd,

Don Digirolamo and Tony Dawe (Nominated)

Review

It has been several years since WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT was shown on television and VHS. It seemed like an adult-oriented, edgy, live-action/animation fantasy-comedy that became a family movie by mistake, despite its intended audience. It is a homage to noir films and those classic cartoons produced in the Golden Age of Animation. It's mainly due to director Robert Zemeckis, animator Richard Williams, and filmmaker Steven Spielberg that this was filmed and animated in both cinematic components, streamlining them into a single film that incorporates both live-action and animation.

Many years in the making, the effects have aged well in ROGER RABBIT, and so has the story, which is so rich in laughter and mystery. The movie contains cartoon characters. Some were from the original novel, while others came from copyright holders, including Warner Bros. and the film's production company, Disney. Many people will know these characters, such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Bugs Bunny, and Daffy Duck.

The cast was well-suited to their performances, including the late Bob Hoskins, who plays the gruff, bigoted human detective Eddie Valiant. Christopher Lloyd plays the sharp, sinister role of the mysterious, cold-hearted Judge Doom. Kathleen Turner is hardly recognisable in her voice as Roger Rabbit's seductive, beautiful wife, Jessica.

Though I haven't seen ROGER RABBIT for a long time, I remember it fondly. It's an excellent movie that surely entertains, excites, and brings joy to people of all ages.

Star rating: (9/10) Excellent Movie

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