‘Detective Pikachu’ Breaks The Video Game Movie Curse, According To Jordan Vogt-Roberts
The first reaction toDetective Pikachuis here, and it’s very positive. Said reaction comes from filmmakerJordan Vogt-Roberts, and since he’s the only person posting his thoughts on the film, we’re going to share them. That’s how this works, folks. According to theKong: Skull Islandfilmmaker, the live-action/animation hybrid featuringRyan Reynoldsas the voice of a crime-solving Pokémon breaks the video game curse. That’s a bold claim, and I really hope he’s correct.
A wild JORD appeared!#DetectivePikachuuses MIND BLOWN.
It’s super effective!
The video game curse is broken.
Anytime a POKÉMON is on screen, you’re mesmerized by a charisma reminiscent of watching Tony Stark tinker with robots in IRON MAN.
Also, PSYDUCK steals the movie!
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts)July 16, 2025
Above you’ll see theDetective Pikachuearly reaction from none other than director Jordan Vogt-Roberts. The verdict: pretty damn good. According to Vogt-Roberts, the film is “super effective.” The most telling part of the reaction: “The video game curse is broken.”
If true, that would be a big deal. Why? Because we have yet to have agoodvideo game movie. You can argue that point, I suppose, and make a case for some films here and there (like the firstMortal Kombatmovie). But it’s safe to say the majority of video game films have been huge disappointments. ButDetective Pikachucould change everything.
I’ll confess that whenDetective Pikachuwas first announced, I scoffed. It sounded like a joke. And then I saw the first bits of footage. I not ashamed to admit that they won me over, completely. There’s a genuinelyfunvibe from the footage we’ve seen so far. The Pokémon designs are colorful, the design of the film itself (which was actually shot on film) has a true sense of spectacle and scope, and the jokes are actually funny. This entire ideashouldn’twork, but it does.Detective Pikachuhas gone from a film I ha zero interest in, to one of my must-see films of 2019.
And now Vogt-Roberts is confirming what the trailers have suggested: the movie reallyisthat good. Vogt-Roberts also that the Pokémon characters have “charisma”, which is good to know. Terrible, unconvincing CGI characters can often sink a movie. The director also adds that Psyduck “steals the movie.” I’m sure if you’re familiar with Pokémon this is good news! I, however, know next to nothing. A Google search tells methisis Psyduck.
Yep, looks about right.
We’ll no doubt be getting moreDetective Pikachureactions once press screenings start up. For now, though, let’s all take comfort in Vogt-Roberts' early take, and then start counting down the days until the movie opens –July 26, 2025.
A young man joins forces with Detective Pikachu to unravel the mystery behind his father’s disappearance. Chasing clues through the streets of Ryme City, the dynamic duo soon discover a devious plot that poses a threat to the Pokémon universe.
