If you haven’t heard about it yet, expect to – “Big Hero 6” is the newest Disney and Pixar feature film and it’s not quite like anything you’ve ever seen! To start, it’s set in “San Fransokyo”, which was a lovely treat for me seeing as I’m living in San Francisco (yeah SFSU)! The animation includes a very cool, chic combination of San Francisco and Japanese architecture, but with a retro twist. Wouldn’t it be great if SF sidewalks were actually lined with cherry blossom trees?
Additionally, the main character is basically Asian-American, which was another excellent surprise. How many movies star Asian-Americans? Personally fitting into this category myself, I was excited because it felt like a step forward in the world of film. Story-wise, I was expecting the film to be a typically predictable kids’ movie, but it actually had unexpected turns. I wasn’t particularly sure what the film was even about before I went to see it and I was enjoying every minute. Filled with clever jokes, the right amount of action, and heart-wrenching moments, this film can be appreciated by audiences of all ages. My one criticism is that I found it difficult to believe the motivation of the villain character – it just seemed too extreme.
However, I happily overlook this because I still think it is an excellent film. The characters were fairly well defined, especially since there were so many of them, and I found them easily likeable. Starring the nerd-crowd, the movie actually begins with a science-fiction feel, which I find to be a relatively new avenue for kids’ films. And after how frequently superhero movies have been rolling out lately, I actually forgot how annoyed I was with them. Essentially, this is an origin story so it’s not your run of the mill “superhero” story anyways.
While it is in the genre of kids’ movie and is perfect for kids, I would argue it is also perfect for adults. The film includes intelligent references and makes small commentary on the power of money and capitalism combined with innovative science. It also takes a more complex look at dealing with grief than any kids’ story I’ve seen. And beyond all this, Baymax’s character is loveable no matter what your age.
The movie is based on the Marvel comic of the same name. I haven’t read much response from fans of the comic, but it seems to be a fair adaptation. Rotten Tomatoes rates it an 88% on the Tomatometer and an audience score of 94% and IMDb rates it an 8.4/10. These are quite high and I certainly agree. So walk back into your childhood and experience the magic of Disney because this film is a MUST-SEE!
(Side note: the Walt Disney Animation Studios short film “Feast” that screens before “Big Hero 6” is definitely worth watching as well! Absolutely adorable, creative, and clever!)