‘Pokémon Detective Pikachu’ becomes highest-grossing video game movie

Image: Angela Weiss/AFP via AFP Relaxnews

Theaters in five remaining territories still showing “Pokémon Detective Pikachu” propelled the adventure movie past $436 million worldwide, a new record for films based on video games.

“Pokémon Detective Pikachu” is now the most commercially successful movie to be based on a video game, after weekend takings pushed it into top spot.

“Pokémon Detective Pikachu” was already the best-received video game adaptation, usurping Dwayne Johnson monster movie “Rampage” and Alicia Vikander’s “Tomb Raider”, according to Rotten Tomatoes’ aggregated review score ranking.

The live-action and CGI movie starred Justice Smith as a former Pokémon trainer and Ryan Reynolds as the gruff, smart-talking but otherwise cuddly-looking, mystery-solving rodent.

Rob Letterman of “Shark Tale”, “Monsters vs. Aliens” and “Goosebumps” directed from a script whose contributors had worked on “Guardians of the Galaxy”, TV’s “One Day at a Time” reboot, “Jurassic World” and “Kong: Skull Island”.

Visual effects group Motion Picture Company was previously Oscar-nominated for its work on ten other movies, winning twice for “The Life of Pi” and “The Jungle Book”.

“Warcraft”, a June 2016 CGI spectacular from BAFTA Award-winning director Duncan Jones (“Moon”, “Source Code”), hauled in nearly half of its own record revenue from China, whose theatrical showings generated $213.5 million. JB

RELATED STORIES:

Cryptocurrency addiction now treated in Scotland facility

Gaming industry still a safe bet in PH amid changing rules, rising competition