Detective Pikachu is Really Fun

Disclaimer, they gave out Pokemon cards at the ticket check and I was so excited I got a bonus so. Well.

If you didn't grow up on Pokemon, or aren't a kid, I don't know that this movie will be particularly meaningful. They did a fantastic job integrating Pokemon into the setting - I'm convinced the Sonic team stole Machamp's legs for their creepy-ass design, except on Machamp the proportions aren't terrifying. The plot itself is pretty simple. It's not badly done or anything, but it is predictable to a point where, if this had been any other setting, I know I would be less happy about it.

Acting: solid, I wouldn't say mind-blowing, but also it's a Pokemon movie. They do a good job with the script, land the right notes, just knowing how things would end lowered the stakes a little for me. (There is one good twist - I figured it out but it's delivered properly.)

Having Karan Soni in the opening referencing one of the...er, more interesting Pokemon backstories, and then Ryan Reynolds voicing the world's sassiest Pikachu, really just made me want a Deadpool crossover. High stakes Pokemon battles amiright?

For real though, this is a super fun, ridiculously adorable movie that's good for some laughs and, especially if you know the original (or rather, only) 151, nostalgia.

Rating: they gave me a Detective Pikachu card and one of his moves is Coffee Break. This may constitute bribery.

Captain America: Civil War

I am trying really, really hard to not outgrow superhero movies. Problem is, I'm not sure it's working....

Ok, the Marvel blend of comedy and seriousness is great. Continues to be great. Whoever paid attention to the way Whedon handled the dialogue deserves several brownies. I was also pleasantly surprised by the shades of grey when it came to the central conflict, which granted isn't saying a lot, but the fact that there's actual room for discussion in a genre notable for its cut and dry good and bad guys is worth something.

That said, there's a lot of small details that have been nibbling at the edges of my enjoyment, but I'm not going to point them out because I'd rather not spread them, and I think you'll notice a few yourselves. The big problem I had with this movie, though, was the pacing - the order of the scenes was fine, but it dragged at points. Yes, I enjoy funny dialogue and yes, it is probably going to make a bigger return because no watcher is going to spend too much time being sad, but all of it ended up being a bit much. Especially considering how much continuity it also fed into.

Rating: $8, which is something in between regular matinee (yes, there's an early matinee) and full price.

'Deadpool'

is a refreshing vindication that there's an audience for the filthy-minded/crass/what have you out there.

It's like seeing a live-action version of the comic—down to fourth-wall breaking—minus, thankfully, the cheesy layer of emo Marvel keeps slapping on top its otherwise meritorious properties. 5/5 tempted to go see in the IMAX but won't because I'm lazy and cheap.

I continue to ensure my mother doesn't find out this movie exists, because I don't want to explain to her why she shouldn't watch it.