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POKÉMON: DETECTIVE PIKACHU (Dir: Rob Letterman, 2019).
Part of the phenomenally successful Pokémon franchise, Detective Pikachu is the first movie in the series to combine live-action with CGI Pokémon. The somewhat convoluted plot finds insurance salesman and former Pokémon trainer wannabe Tim Goodman (Justice Smith) teaming up with Pikachu (voiced by Ryan Reynolds) to investigating the mysterious death of Tim’s detective father. Tim is the only human who can understand the amnesia suffering Pikachu who has some previous link with the detective.
Visually Detective Pikachu is a highly satisfying film, narratively it is less so. The CGI Pokémon are beautifully realised creatures that integrate believably with the humans and real life surrounds; thankfully there are a wealth of these fabulous beings on display. Main man Pikachu has the requisite level of cuteness while Mr Mime makes a very effective and amusing cameo as a police informant; an encounter with oversized Torterra is visually stunning, as is the climatic battle with it Avengers-level of structural decimation! The film noir-like cityscapes that form the story’s backdrop are also highly impressive.
Where the movie falters is in its narrative which somehow manages to be both predictable and confusing. With a tidier and tighter script Detective Pikachu might have been a modern day Who Framed Roger Rabbit (Robert Zemeckis, 1988); a family friendly infusion of 40’s film noir detective thriller and 2019 high-tech blockbuster. Dedicated Pokémon fans will probably be more forgiving of Detective Pikachu’s short comings. For casual fans and those less familiar with the franchise, it should prove to be a bewildering yet entertaining 105 minutes. For its amazing eye candy alone Pokémon: Detective Pikachu is well worth catching.
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BEYOND TOMORROW aka BEYOND CHRISTMAS (Dir: A Edward Sutherland, 1940).
My quest for obscure vintage Christmas movies has arrived at Beyond Tomorrow, a curious little movie with a somewhat convoluted plot.
A trio of wealthy businessmen (Harry Carey, C Aubrey Smith and Charles Winninger) play matchmaker to a teacher (Jean Parker) and a misplaced cowboy (Richard Carlson). When the three are tragically killed in a plane crash they return as ghosts to watch over the couple whom they have left a significant inheritance.
Beyond Tomorrow is one of a handful of Hollywood movies of the era to deal with themes of spirituality and guardian angels; notable examples include Here Comes Mr Jordan (Alexander Hall, 1941) and It's a Wonderful Life (Frank Capra, 1946). Unfortunately this movie is nowhere near the caliber of those classics.
Although relatively short, at roughly 80 minutes, I found it a chore to watch. It's early scenes, centered around the holiday season are easily its best. However the film soon descends into hollow sentimentality and mawkishness, with Adele Comandini's screenplay lacking the dramatic strength to overcome the corny and frankly odd premise. The 'B' movie is also lacking star talent, although Richard Carlson later would make an impression in Universal's late period monster flick Creature from the Black Lagoon (Jack Arnold, 1954). A bigger name would certainly have lent the movie a little more cache but, to be honest, I think it would do little to help either the pedestrian script or A Edward Sutherland's workmanlike direction.
I also feel this movie was slightly miss sold, as only its first third is festive. In a shameless yuletide cash grab the movie has latterly been marketed as Beyond Christmas. Cynical though this may be, the title is actually more accurate as much of the feature does, indeed, take place after Christmas!
I am a sucker for a decent Christmas film and Golden Age Hollywood is my favourite era of filmmaking, but this turkey of a movie did nothing for me. By all means worth a watch for the curious. Just don't expect it to fill you with Christmas joy.
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Supernatural fantasy romance from Hollywood’s golden age. Read my review of Beyond Tomorrow (1940) here:
https://jinglebonesmovietime.blogspot.com/2019/12/beyond-tomorrow-aka-beyond-christmas.html?spref=tw