‘Pokémon Detective Pikachu’ Earns Largest Opening for a Video Game Adaptation
The live-action Pokémon spinoff, starring Ryan Reynolds as the titular character, grossed $58 million at the domestic box office.
Legendary Entertainment and Warner Bros’ live-action spinoff Pokémon movie Detective Pikachu opened to an estimated $58 million domestically over the weekend – the biggest opening weekend for a video game adaptation ever. The film, which currently boasts a 63 percent Certified Fresh Rotten Tomatoes rating, also received an A- CinemaScore. This is only the sixth video game adaption to score anything higher than a B rating; others include Mortal Kombat and Rampage. Paramount’s live-action “Sonic the Hedgehog” will have a chance to beat “Detective Pikachu’s” new record when it’s released this November.
The plot is based on a 2016 Nintendo video game of the same name, in which the small, yellow Pokémon is an officer of the law who’s dealing with some amnesia – specifically what happened to his Ryme City partner Harry. Enter Harry’s estranged, young son Tim (played by Justice Smith). Luckily, Pikachu (Ryan Reynolds) can understand Tim and Tim can understand Pokémon – a unique gift in Ryme City. Once acquainted, Pikachu and Tim team up to solve the mystery surrounding Harry’s disappearance, as well as the strange purple gas that makes Pokémon go mad-dog monsters when inhaled.
“It's both a triumph of character animation -- one of the most stylish combinations of animation and live action in years -- and a sweet story that doesn't reach too hard to seem au courant and is in keeping with the Pokémon franchise.” Thrillist
Common Sense Media reports the film is family-friendly, specifically it’s safe for kids eight and up. The nonprofit media company also said, “While the movie has the most to offer those who are well-versed in the Pokémon universe, it's completely possible for those who don't know their Pikachu from their Pokédex to enjoy, too.”
One of the most prominent reasons for the film’s high entertainment value is Reynolds performance as the over-caffeinated and adorable Pikachu. “Ryan Reynolds is ‘Detective Pikachu’s’ not-so-secret weapon and route to success,” wrote The Verge. “‘Detective Pikachu’ uses Reynolds’ uncanny ability to take on wildly silly content, and play it both with straight-faced commitment and like an emotional force of nature. His portrayal of a confused Pikachu, stumbling around a world where the only people who can understand him are other Pokémon and a teenager, is astounding.”
The film also stars Kathryn Newton, Rita Ora, Ken Watanabe, Suki Waterhouse and Bill Nighy.
Want to share the nostalgic family-friendly fun of “Pokémon Detective Pikachu” with your audience? Contact your Swank representative to license your showing today!