Tim Goodman (Justice Smith) receives news that his estranged detective father has died and has to travel to Ryme City to handle his affairs. When he is told his fathers body was never recovered he takes it upon himself to investigate what actually happened with his dad’s old partner. Who just happens to be a Pikachu voiced by Ryan Reynolds.

Whilst Pokemon is aimed at children and fans of the game my overall feeling leaving it was that it would have more crossover appeal than that. My children loved it and I enjoyed it so that covers the main market segments, but my wife’s nonplussed reaction perhaps rules out my thoughts on crossover appeal. But bear with me whilst I discuss its virtues.

In its opening twenty minutes Detective Pikachu does a pretty good job of explaining its world to novices. Pokemon live in the wild in this world, essentially animals with special abilities. Whilst in Ryme city they are integrated into society working and living side by side. People generally attach themselves to a Pokemon partner and this is shown to mirror their personality. Think of The Golden Compass and you would be in the general area.

The detective storyline and theme shows how badly The Happytime Murders ruined a clever idea of otherworldly beings in our human world and some of the night time locales are even reminiscent of Blade Runner. Let’s be clear though, don’t expect this to be as deep and meaningful as that film or Chinatown. The villain is fairly obvious and the detective work is light, but it is a good hook to push a story forward in this world.

Elsewhere the real MVP’s are Ryan Reynolds and the special effects. Reynolds does a family friendly version of his Deadpool shtick and will generally keep a smile on your face throughout. And whilst there are occasional lapses in the background effects, Pikachu is excellently realised and many other Pokemon are brought to life in pleasing ways. There are even real world pokeballs and Magikarp jokes for the initiated.

An absolute must then for kids and Pokemon enthusiasts. But I’m sure that those adults who might be dreading taking their smaller loved ones along to this film will find some fun.