Big Hero 6 (2014) | Film Review

It seems that lately when someone talks about a “good” animated movie, they usually describe its ability to appeal to both a young and adult audience at the same time, as if it’s not possible to have a quality film that targets one of those more than the other.  A plot is either too childish in nature, or the jokes are too silly for a grown-up to be able to enjoy it.  We’ve seemed due for a kids movie that reminds its viewers (who are in a hurry to grow up) that it’s OK to let your imagination run wild and enjoy the wonders of childhood.  Disney’s “Big Hero 6” fits the bill with likable, deep characters and themes without being afraid to be genuinely silly.

The story is inspired by a lesser-known Marvel comic that began in the late 90’s by the same name.  Hiro Hamada is a brilliant young boy living in the wonderfully multicultural city of San Fransokyo, and who has continually focused his intellect in the wrong places.  His older brother, Tadashi, is on a mission to put Hiro back on the right track towards greatness.  Appealing to Hiro’s technological skill set, Tadashi shows Hiro his latest invention (which he names Baymax), a medical robot with an oversized inflatable outer skin that gives him a more “huggable” persona.

When Hiro loses someone very close to him, he and his robot buddy build a bond spawned from Baymax’s programming, which is to make humans feel better both physically and emotionally.  Together and with the help of four other new genius friends, Hiro and gang put their superior brains together to devise a plan to avenge Hiro’s loss and thwart a diabolical plot by a mysterious masked man.

No better word can describe “Big Hero 6” than charming.  So much in this film elicits a broad spectrum of emotions from joy, sadness, and straight up silliness.  Baymax steals the screen in every single shot he takes part of with memorable one-liners backed by his child-like innocence.  There’s a lot more going on here than the typical “babysitter” children’s movies that rely on pretty images on the screen and talking baboons to keep a young one’s attention.  It’s what I like to refer to as a “thinking kid’s” movie, in that it touches on various themes like loss, teamwork, and even controlling your emotions.

The Disney brand has such recognition these days that you expect nothing short of greatness when you see the familiar castle before the film starts.  Thankfully, they deliver in a big way with “Big Hero 6”.  There’s a good mix of brilliant action scenes, but it’s not done to exhausting effect.  The first act could have been a bit tighter in terms of pacing, but this is a minor complaint when considering that too much character development is more welcome than too little.  The only complaint is a story trope (that won’t be revealed here) that Disney seems to be leaning on a bit too much these days; if they continue this trend, it won’t be nearly as special with subsequent movies.

“Big Hero 6” truly is something special that should be seen by both kids and kids-at-heart.  It takes a lot to make an animated movie feel heartwarming, but Disney pulled it off while not sacrificing the dazzling animations for which they are known.

Scott Clark
The Hollywood Outsider