REVIEW: Big Hero 6

BIG HERO 6

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW

RATED: PG

RUNNING TIME: 102 MINUTES

SCORE: *****/*****

THE PREMISE: (Via IMDB) From Walt Disney Animation Studios, the team behind "Frozen" and "Wreck-It Ralph," comes "Big Hero 6," an action-packed comedy-adventure about the special bond that develops between Baymax, a plus-sized inflatable robot, and prodigy Hiro Hamada. When a devastating event befalls the city of San Fransokyo and catapults Hiro into the midst of danger, he turns to Baymax and his close friends adrenaline junkie Go Go Tomago, neatnik Wasabi, chemistry whiz Honey Lemon and fanboy Fred. Determined to uncover the mystery, Hiro transforms his friends into a band of high-tech heroes called "Big Hero 6." 

 

THE PRO'S: Beautiful animation, lots and lots of heart, great story  of grief  and inner strength, handles the tougher aspects of the story perfectly, and just a whole lot of fun to boot. 

THE CON'S: Underdeveloped/predictable villain.

THE REVIEW:

Alright, so for my first review in a while, I'm going to take a look at my favorite animated feature this year: Big Hero 6. Which is based on a little-known superhero group from none other than MARVEL, and may go down, in my opinion, as one of the greatest superhero movies ever. If not completely skyrocketing this teams populalirity!

The movie tells the story of Hiro Hamada, a boy genius who loses his brother, and his impressive invention to a horrific fire at the school he was auditioning for. In a state of grief, he surprisingly befriends his own brother's greatest invention: Baymax, and along with him discovers someone has taken his invention for nefarious purposes. A discovery which leads the two unlikely heroes to gather his late brother's friends to form a superhero team, and hunt down the villain before it's too late. 

On the outside, Big Hero 6 sounds like any other superhero film. But where a lot of superhero films are dark and serious, or lighthearted and goofy, this movie seems to fall in the middle. Though it is very much meant for younger viewers, Big Hero 6 very excellently handles some tough issues regarding loss, depression, and closure while still making it whimsical and fun for the younger kids out there. 

The heart of the film, of course, if you haven't seen the trailers is Baymax. Never since I first saw Guardians of the Galaxy, and discovered Groot, have I found a more adorable badass like Baymax before. He's fun, goofy, and a great character, whether he's kicking butt, or just being a good friend to Hiro and the rest of the gang, it's hard not to find a lot to love in him. I definitely left the theater wishing I could have a Baymax of my own.

And that brings me to where the show really shines: the characters. They're not the most developed of characters, but they all have so much personality, and vibrancy to them it never really amtters. You grow to love, and feel for them anyway. With big props here coming from the character of Hiro, whose transformation, and character arc throughout the film is really, really impressive for a film of this caliber. 

But we all go to superhero movies for action too, right? And let me tell you, this movie does not tone down the action. In fact, the action may be one of the most fun parts of the movie itself. Once "Big Hero 6" has formed, the movie kicks it into high gear, and even adds to the personality and fun of the characters.  Something which really adds to the story rather than detracts, and really, again, left me impressed.

 

The only, minor thing I found fault with was the villain. Even for a kids movie, it really feels like they could have taken more time to think this one through. And perhaps set up the motive in a way that was a little more original. But otherwise, this doesn't detract too much from the movie, which is still fun as heck anyway.

And so....

IN CONCLUSION

I cannot recommend this movie any more if I tried. It's a fun, action packed adventure which is fun for the whole family, and makes a great hour and forty minutes at the movie. Despite the minor fault of the villain, it's well worth a look, and sure to be another hit from Walt Disney Animated Studios.

5/5 STARS

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