'Big Hero 6' Review

Walt Disney studios' fifty sixth animated feature (excluding PIXAR, Studio Ghibli, Disneytoons or Touchshone movies) is a high-flying, fast-paced, superhero comedy. For what it is, it's a whole lot of fun. While not all of it is terrific, the overall package is a delightful one for kids of all ages.

The movie focuses on a young boy named Hiro (voiced by Ryan Potter) who lives with his Aunt and older brother, Tadashi, in the futuristic city of San Fransokyo. Tadashi introduces his younger brother to a high-tech science college, in an attempt at trying to separate the boy from his late-night hobby of illegal 'Bot-fighting'. Hiro becomes entranced by the astounding work from the young scientists, especially his brother's personal health care robot: Baymax. Hiro swears to do whatever he can to join the select few in this prestigious school. Tadashi introduces him to an annual science showcase that the school faculty sets up, in which the winner gets a full-ride scholarship. Hiro invents a terrific display, hoping to impress the teachers. Sadly, something goes horribly wrong, stopping Hiro's dreams in their tracks. Now it is up to Hiro, Baymax, and four of his brother's colleagues to stop this evil from spreading.

This is Disney's first animated film based on a 'Marvel Comics' property. From what I understand, it's a VERY loose adaption. Yet, surprisingly, this nails the feeling of modern comics/manga better than any american film I've seen in quite a long while. The animation is smooth and contained in long free-flowing shots. Some of the action sequences rival that of 'The Avengers' or 'Guardians of the Galaxy'. Directors Don Hall and Chris Williams rev up the tension to a level not seen in most family films. Thankfully, these scenes are full of levity, making it far more fun rather than frightening for small children.

The film's setting is also quite astounding. San Fransokyo is so dense from its dimly lit suburbs to its neon alleyways. The animators make it feel like a living, breathing city in which there's no rest. The moments in which Baymax flies across the sides of skyscrapers with Hiro riding on his shoulders provide some of the most breathtaking moments. These sequences match 'How to Train your Dragon' in sheer beauty.

The movie's cast of characters is also quite colorful as well. However, the real star of the show is the chubby, lovable robot: Baymax. Voiced by Scott Adsit ('30 Rock'), Baymax provides the majority of heart and humor that the movie excels at. While our lead is fun and some of the other team members make an impression (T.J. Miller's Fred, in particular), Baymax carries the movie. Without him, this wouldn't be half the experience it is. His physical comedy makes him one of the best animated characters I've seen in a modern Disney film. 

The plot,on the other hand, is serviceable at best. That's a trend in many Disney movies, so it didn't really take my enjoyment away, but it is something to note. It's just a very generic story that steals from other source material ('Iron Giant', in particular). However, that doesn't mean that there aren't emotional sequences. In fact, there were times when I found this hour and a half cartoon to be more emotionally relevant than Christopher Nolan's three hour space drama, 'Interstellar'. This film in no way shows signs of the studio backing off from dark subject matter, even when it is embedded into a large amount of comedy.

Overall, 'Big Hero 6' may not be anything new in terms of story, but its visuals, sense of humor and unrelenting pace make it well worth your time.

Grade:B+

Review by: Josh McCormack