COURTESY: MOVIEPOSTERDB.COM
Rating: A-
From Walt Disney Animation Studios – the same geniuses behind “Wreck-It Ralph” and last year’s “Frozen” – comes “Big Hero 6,” a film that extends Disney’s animated brand into uncharted territory in a brilliant way.
Based on a popular Marvel comic series, “Big Hero 6” signals Disney’s first foray into an animated portrayal of characters from the Marvel Universe. Of course, Disney handles the source material adeptly, molding the story and characters into something that appeals beyond the realm of comic junkies.
Set in San Fransokyo – a hybrid of Tokyo and San Francisco that is really a character in itself (the Golden Gate Bridge is merged with Japanese pagodas, cats adorn the façades of buildings at every corner, and signs are written in both Japanese and English) – the story is told from the perspective of 13-year-old boy genius Hiro Hamada (voiced by the up-and-coming Ryan Potter). Much to the chagrin of his older brother Tadashi (voiced by Daniel Henney) and Aunt Cass (voiced by Maya Rudolph), Hiro uses his intelligence to win cash in illegal robot fights at the beginning of the film’s events.
Eventually, Tadashi convinces Hiro to enter a competition to win a place at the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology – the school where Tadashi works on a healthcare assistant robot named Baymax (Scott Adsit) – where Hiro could use his talents for something more meaningful than illegal activities.
While working on his invention involving microbots, Hiro becomes acquainted with the school’s director Professor Callaghan (James Cromwell), and Tadashi’s classmates and best friends Honey Lemon, Wasabi, Fred and GoGo Tomago – voiced by Génesis Rodríguez, Damon Wayans, Jr., T.J. Miller and Jamie Chung, respectively.
On the night of the competition, a plot twist occurs that even I didn’t see coming. In the aftermath of said event, Hiro uncovers a nefarious scheme involving his microbots and a kabuki-masked villain, so he enlists the aid of Baymax, Honey Lemon, Wasabi, Fred and GoGo to investigate the identity and motivations behind this enigmatic antagonist. This unlikely team of misfits band together with the help of Hiro’s inventing prowess to become the crime-fighting force known as Big Hero 6.
While it is an origin story at heart, “Big Hero 6” achieves this without making it overtly obvious that this is the main point of the film. (Yes, this will definitely become an animated franchise, so don’t be surprised when “Big Hero 6: 2” comes out in a few years.)
By letting the plot unfold from Hiro’s perspective, “Big Hero 6” boils the film down from the massive scope of a comic book movie into a relatable, kid-friendly coming-of-age story, rife with themes of family, friendship, loss, and bravery. Making Hiro the star of the film and including his relationships with Tadashi and Aunt Cass – who are both absent from the comics – were the best moves that Disney could have made when crafting the story.
Besides insanely high IQs, Hiro and his quirky group of friends feel very real, with each reaching a surprisingly high level of characterization given the fast pace of the film.
In the characters, there is someone here for everyone: Hiro is the intelligent and misunderstood misfit who has experienced incredible loss; Honey Lemon is the always-sunny, willowy, quirky, chemistry-obsessed hipster; Wasabi is orderly and grounded; Fred is the Type B, comic-loving hippie who also happens to be filthy rich; and GoGo is the gum-smacking, resident bad girl decked out in leather and attitude.
Yes, it’s stereotypical, but it’s also incredibly entertaining – it’s the “Breakfast Club” but with superheroes.
However, the real star of the film is Baymax.
Described as looking like a “giant marshmallow,” Baymax’s naiveté, genuine desire to help Hiro and robotic speech combine to create some of the best and most memorable laughs in the film.
The sole weakness of the film comes from the soundtrack. It’s a little boring and includes an atrocious theme song called “Immortals” by Fall Out Boy that accompanies a cheesy montage of the team coming together officially (can we please stop with montages, Hollywood? K, thanks).
On the whole, “Big Hero 6” is big, heroic and feeds the imagination like you’re 6 years old again.
Become one with your inner hero and go see “Big Hero 6.”
Also, stick around after the credits for a cameo from Stan Lee and a clue as to the direction that the sequel will be headed.
