The approach of Jackman and his team to Pokémon Detective Pikachu makes basic sense atmospherically. For the live-action environment, an orchestra is added to the base synthetic environment for the concept. The electronics are styled after the same retro elements recognizable from Wreck-it-Ralph, the video game ambience fully embraced in about half the score. The action of this film is largely orchestral, bordering on horror in its dissonant demeanor in most cues of significant weight. This foundational personality from Jackman's team is fine, and it generates some individual highlights that do their best to refrain from parody territory while generating genuine might. The significant downside of this soundtrack is the total lack of cohesive narrative and structural consistency. There are a few themes specific to this score that emerge occasionally, led by a descending rhythmic figure for the location of "Ryme City" that matures nicely in both orchestral form ("Save the City") and in the electronic nostalgia ("Game On"). A somewhat buried friendship theme emerges in "Buddies" and sends the score off with sensitivity (and a nice closing crescendo) in "Together." There's also a wishy-washy environment of otherworldly fantasy and mystery that slows the score at times, heard mingling with the universe's motif in "Embrace" and "Epiphany." The action sequences typically revolve around a fight, and these inconsistent cues sometimes offer impressive symphonic highlights, like the impressive "Greninja & Torterra" cowritten by Evan Goldman. The score's inability to adequately develop its own motific base and refer back to the franchise's existing melodies is its greatest weakness, one that will be fatal for some listeners. Jackman did adapt Junichi Masuda's existing "Red and Blue" theme for the end credits of Pokémon Detective Pikachu, but it's too little, too late and it is not included on the score's album. None of the song placements in the movie that refer back to the franchise's other soundtracks are included on the same album, either. You do get "The Roadhouse," however, the score album's single standout moment of outrageous irritation and potential for derangement. Overall, Pokémon Detective Pikachu lacks the cohesive narrative and genuine heart of the far more effective Wreck-It Ralph scores, seeming like a cheap knock-off of the same environment whenever the electronics are incorporated. Those looking for robust orchestral action may be moderately intrigued by the suspense and action sequences here, but they are too few and too disjointed to merit a recommendation. A better album combining the score with a few songs and the end credits adaptation would have improved upon an otherwise underwhelming experience.  **   @Amazon.com: CD or Download