Pokémon Detective Pikachu more enjoyable than it has any real right to be

While devotees of the Pokémon gaming experience will largely love what happens here, the non-converted will also walk away relatively non-disenchanted.

Now well into its third decade, the Pokémon phenomenon is in exceptionally rude health.

The best aspect of the predominantly live-action Pokémon Detective Pikachu is how it completely obliterates all memory of that truly awful animated production Pokémon: The Movie from the year 2000.

Instead, the principal reference point here is the 2016 geolocation app that took up permanent residence on hundreds of millions of phones around the world.

READ MORE:

BOREDOM NOT AN OPTION WITH SHAZAM!

BACK OF THE NET A NIL-ALL SNORE

JOHN WICK KEEPS UPPING THE ANTE

Detective Pikachu is voiced by Ryan Reynolds. Picture: AP

While devotees of the Pokémon gaming experience will largely love what happens here, the non-converted will also walk away relatively non-disenchanted.

Considering the stakes going in were so low, Pokémon Detective Pikachu therefore constitutes a moderately high result.

It must be noted that the principal setting leaves such a strong initial impression that the movie almost works by stealth.

Justice Smith and Kathryn Newton star alongside Pikachu, voiced by Ryan Reynolds. Picture: AP

The bulk of the action takes place in the neon-hued, Blade Runner-esque metropolis of Ryme City, where that cuddly little yellow fellow Pikachu (voiced by Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds) is helping a troubled young man, Tim (Justice Smith), come to grips with the death of his father.

Some may be wondering just how much assistance Pikachu could really be to Tim, as it is widely known that Pokémon are traditionally unable to utter anything except their own names.

Well, to get around that, the five credited screenwriters on this movie have gone ahead and invented a substance that allows communication between a Pokémon and a human. If you want to know any more, you are just being picky.

Ken Watanabe and Snubbull. Picture: AP

Sporting a little Sherlock Holmes hat, Pikachu is just the right combination of adorable and all-knowing.

While there is no real apparent need for Reynolds to be voicing the character - aside from box-office pulling power - the star does make an effort to keep this strange movie mattering to the uncommitted viewer.

As for committed viewers, well, they will be too busy unwrapping the hundreds of visual Easter eggs littered throughout Pokémon Detective Pikachu to care about performances or storytelling nuances.

The plotting, of course, is of little consequence, but the overall vibe remains much more enjoyable than it has any real right to be.

Pokémon Detective Pikachu (PG)

Director: Rob Letterman (Goosebumps)

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Justice Smith, Kathryn Newton, Bill Nighy.

Rating: *** (3 out of 5 stars)

A fun game, even if you’re not inclined to play

For all things movies follow Leigh on Twitter: @leighpaatsch