Review: Big Hero 6

With all the heart and humor audiences expect from Walt Disney Animation Studios, “Big Hero 6” is an action-packed comedy-adventure about robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada, who learns to harness his genius-thanks to his brilliant brother Tadashi and their like-minded friends: adrenaline junkie Go Go Tamago, neatnik Wasabi, chemistry whiz Honey Lemon and fanboy Fred. When a devastating turn of events catapults them into the midst of a dangerous plot unfolding in the streets of San Fransokyo, Hiro turns to his closest companion-a robot named Baymax-and transforms the group into a band of high-tech heroes determined to solve the mystery. (C) Disney

The main character Hiro (voiced by Ryan Potter) collaborates with his older brother, Tadashi (voiced by Daniel Henney) for a science project. During a sudden unexpected circumstance, Hiro’s life changes and he needs to reassess the tragic situation. Tadashi’s college friends (voiced by T.J. Miller, Jamie Chung, Genesis Rodriguez and Damon Wayans Jr.) come to his side. They should have been better utilized with more defined characters and a necessary purpose.

Big Hero 6 seemed more interested in money than storytelling. The underlying rage with audiences regarding Cars 2 (besides snobby people not liking the “red state, white trash” cartoon) was it the first obvious attempt at Pixar selling out to franchise opportunities and International branding. To a certain degree, Big Hero 6 commits some of those sins, too though the cool fan boys are more willing to forgive a movie with super heroes instead of Larry, The Cable Guy. The movie’s weight is dependent on Baymax as a character. He was an animated sidekick lacking any interest that for comic relief. Similar to Wall*E where it was done better, Big Hero 6 isn’t as clever as it should be.

I’m relatively indifferent to Big Hero 6, as the latest fun loving, Disney animated movie to warm the hearts of children and woo the critics. Maybe super hero fatigue is setting in for me?  I wonder when we will hit the saturation point. Even though I enjoyed Big Hero 6, for a Disney movie typically rich in the animation, this reeked of a half-ass Brad Bird super hero spinoff. I wanted so much more from it and was disappointed! It lacked the organic magic and willingness to tell a story that so many Disney movies create. Even the arcade saturated Wreck It Ralph told a story. This just set up superheroes to fight a boring and uninspired villain almost on par with Iron Man 3.

I can marginally recommend Big Hero 6 for children and families to see a movie during The Holidays. The Book of Life was vastly superior on almost every level. Living in San Fransokyo was a clever spin in combining two similar and different cities. This should pass the time away for kids and adults.