Pokémon Detective Pikachu Review: 5 Ups & 5 Downs

2. It Should Appeal To Fans & Newbies Alike

Detective Pikachu
Warner Bros.

Though the film is broad to a fault, it does nevertheless strike a solid balance of appealing to fans and non-fans alike.

Franchise fans will lap up the heaps and heaps of fan-service and Easter eggs - though you'll have to wait for the home video release to, uh, catch 'em all (sorry) - while it serves as a solid introduction to this world for those with zero prior knowledge.

While some reviewers have complained that Detective Pikachu is a little too fan-focused, the film gives the uninitiated everything they need in order to appreciate what's going on, so it's tough to agree with that.

As a compromise between being a relentless fan service-fest and overly accessible to the point of condescension, it finds a decent middle-ground for the most part.

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Contributor
Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.