BIG HERO 6 (PG)
Released by Walt Disney Pictures
Review by Adam Mast
What a year Marvel is having. True, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 left a lot to be desired, but on the flip side, they were also behind X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER, and GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY. The Marvel machine keeps on trucking with the wonderfully entertaining animated feature, BIG HERO 6.
This rousing super hero adventure from Disney Animation takes place in vibrant San Fransokyo and revolves around young master mind creator, Hiro Hamada. With a beguiling artificial being called Baymax (this adorable robot resembles the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man with a splash of the Michelin Tire Guy thrown in for good measure) and a team of fellow inventors by his side, Hiro sets out to stop a Kabuki mask-wearing villain from taking over the city. Along the way, our youthful protagonist learns a thing or two about anger and grief.
Disney and Pixar fashioned one of the best super hero films of all time with THE INCREDIBLES just over a decade ago, and while BIG HERO 6 isn’t quite at the same level as that Brad Bird-directed classic, it still emerges as grand entertainment for all ages. It’s beautifully animated and punctuated by a unique (and lively) score by Henry Jackman (WRECK-IT RALPH). And like the fantastically creative LEGO MOVIE from earlier this year, BIG HERO 6 deserves extra props for promoting creativity.
There is quite a bit crammed into BIG HERO 6, so much so that the bond that develops between Hiro and his genius class mates as well as their subsequent transformation into super heroes, feels slightly undercooked, but the mystery at the heart of the movie coupled with the sweet friendship between Hiro and Baymax more than make up for it.
While we’re on the topic of the peace promoting Baymax, what a lovable character he is? We’re talking IRON GIANT/E.T. lovable. He sits alongside Toothless and Groot as one of the most affectionately appealing film characters of the year. Baymax’s reaction to a house cat and his response to a fist bump are certainly highlights in this colorful, undeniably likable animated feature.
