What My Six Year Old Thought of Detective Pikachu

Since I was a boy, there were talks of a live action Pokémon movie

Now, I’m a thirty something man with a six year-old boy and we have Detective Pikachu; a fantasy mystery movie based on the hugely popular Pokémon series and the 2016 game of the same name (Detective Pikachu).

It was never in question that my son and I would see this movie together

We play Pokémon GO, the mainline games, watch the anime and draw and talk about the franchise all of the time. When the trailer first hit we were both very excited.

My concern going into the movie however was that the plot might not land with my son, that it might be a little too grown up or better for older children. Watching the movie made me sure of this even before going into the interview.

The Pokémon: Detective Pikachu Interview

Home Truths

Me: Hey, Trouble.

Son: Hey, Papa.

Me: What are we talking about today?

Son: Detective Pikachu, Daddy. You know. We said this.

Me: Okay, sorry I repeated myself.

Son: You always repeateded yourself. Always. It’s annoying.

Me: Errr… sorry.

Son: Yes…

awkward silence

Back on Track

Me: So, Pokémon: Detective Pikachu! I’m interviewing you to see what you thought of it.

Son: I liked it a lot.

Me: That’s not really how this is supposed to go, but that’s great. I’m happy you loved it so much. Let’s talk about why.

Son: I love Pokémon.

Me: Okay, let’s start with that! Why do you love Pokémon?

Son: Because it’s good.

Me: Why is it good?

Son: pauses I don’t know

Me: There must be something you like about it?

Son: Yeah!

Moving On

Me: Okay, moving on…

Son: Where?

Me: Pardon?

Son: Where are we moving?

Me: No, wait, what? What do you mean?

Son: Daddy, YOU said we’re moving.

Me: No I didn’t.

Son: You did. You said, we’re moving on.

Me: Oh! That’s not what that means Baby Boy.

awkward silence

Pokémon and Coke

Me: So, you like Pokémon because it’s good?

Son: Yes Daddy, I said.

Me: Is there anything else you like?

Son: Can I have some of your Coke?

Me: This isn’t what I meant.

Son: What did you mean?

Me: What else did you like about Pokémon.

Son: They’re like magic animals but stronger.

Me: Progress! Right, so you like Pokémon because it’s good and it has strong, magic animals?

Son; No.

Me: Really?!

Son: I like it because it’s good. I also like it has magic animals.

Me: Okay…

Son: Detective Pikachu is good.

Me: Yeah, you said you liked it. What did you like?

Son: It was good… and it was Pokémon Daddy.

The Plot (Except Not) and the F Word

Me: Right, okay… erm… why don’t you tell me what the movie was about?

Son: Mewtwo was grumpy and tries to destroy the world.

(This is not what the movie was about)

Me: I don’t think that’s really what the movie was about but what did you like most?

Son: When Mewtwo tried to blow up the world.

(Spoilers but this did not happen)

Me: Were we watching the same movie?

Son: Yes daddy… oh… oh… my favourite was also when Pikachu said the F word.

Me: Oh, okay… wait, what F word?

Son: You know, the F word! A swear. I shouldn’t say the F word. whispers: for goodness sake.

Me: bursts out laughing

Son: For goodness sake Daddy!

Me: Hey! What happened to not saying it.

Son: sniggers and cuddles me

Me: Well, you’re okay saying this one. It isn’t actually a swear but don’t say it too much, okay?

Son: Yes, daddy.

Me: So, shall we carry on?

Son: No daddy, I’m too tired to carry things

walks off

The Take Away

Plot-wise, the movie was a little complicated for my son. He didn’t get the motivations or really what was going on but my son quite clearly enjoyed the movie. The Papalite was gasping and cheering when watching. For a child his age, I think Detective Pikachu is more about the spectacle of seeing cartoons looking (semi) realistic (except not really) and interacting with real people… and that’s ok!