“Big Hero 6” is technically a Marvel's property, but the movie version, which is based on the titular cultural and technological fusion graphic novel series from the comic house, comes as a standalone psychedelic, neon-lighted animated movie with no relation with the ongoing MCU. It also marks the first proper animation collaboration between Marvel and its parent company, effectively making “Big Hero 6” as the Mickey House’s 54th animated feature in its classic lineup. With John Lasseter (from Pixar) exec-producing from Don Hall (Bolt) and Chris Williams (Winnie the Pooh) direction, the animation combines the very best of both the Pixar's trademark of adorable storytelling and the Marvel's accessible template about mechanical heroism. While “Big Hero 6” is an interesting animated feature that represents one of the finest works for this year's animation genre, it is also being awkwardly too familiar and lacks of core emotional features.
Sets in a futuristic pan-Pacific Megapolis of San Fransoyko, the movie explores the life of Hiro Hamada (Ryan Potter), a 14-year-old robotics prodigy who recently finished his high school education earlier than anyone and is clueless about his future life. His older brother Tadashi (Daniel Henney) decides to take Hiro to his robotic labs at his university, in hopes of giving him a motivation so that Hiro’s potential does not go wasted. Astonished by the facilities and Tadashi’s friends, Hiro decides to apply for an entry and begins to work on his microbot project to impress Professor Callaghan (James Cromwell), Tadashi’s lecturer. During the day of his presentation, a freak fire breaks out and the resultant explosion kills both Tadashi and Callaghan. After his brother’s death, Hiro secludes himself from the rest, but it is up to Tadashi’s noble AI, Baymax (Scott Adsit) to pull Hiro’s up on his feet again.
Even if Big Hero 6 does not derive its story from its own original materials, the animation still feels familiar in the storytelling department with many of the story elements are heavily borrowed from the standard animation catalogues. In particular, the chemistry between Hiro and his sidekick "health care" robot Baymax is not exactly as stellar as the one established between Hiccup and Toothless in “How to Train Your Dragon”, but the candy-coated heartfelt and adorable Disney’s flavours help to make the relationship more meaningful. And they even did an almost similar outdoor high-flying binding scene together! Baymax, dressed with the puffy, bloated marshmallow appearance and safe vinyl structure, is the centre of plenty hilarious gags and touching interactions with his human companions. Yes, we will never feel enough of his occasionally charming, and silly, or his soft and tender care. Hence, Baymax could probably be the next big thing, much like the Minions or Groot.
Strictly following the standard juice of superhero template, Big Hero 6 does little to offer itself being distinctively different from the other superhero-themed movie. My obvious disappointment is the fact that the lack of stronger central emotion and believable purposes in the Big Hero 6 characters, means that my desire to see it replicates the charms and brilliance of “The Incredibles” do not happen here. The story about the Kabuki-masked man, supposedly the main villain, is pretty weak; while the other members of the newly-minted band of vigilante, are relatively archetypal and receive little screen time. And the other big issue with Big Hero 6, is the ultimately rushed through predictable plot it warps.
Even with the flaws, the simple appreciation for this animation is that it is here to provide great entertainment in the forms of lovable characters and workable silly gags. It may not be entirely a guilty-pleasure experience, but I do doubt if Big Hero 6 is going to be a memorable film going on forward from here on. B+
Trailer:
Info Dashboard:
Sets in a futuristic pan-Pacific Megapolis of San Fransoyko, the movie explores the life of Hiro Hamada (Ryan Potter), a 14-year-old robotics prodigy who recently finished his high school education earlier than anyone and is clueless about his future life. His older brother Tadashi (Daniel Henney) decides to take Hiro to his robotic labs at his university, in hopes of giving him a motivation so that Hiro’s potential does not go wasted. Astonished by the facilities and Tadashi’s friends, Hiro decides to apply for an entry and begins to work on his microbot project to impress Professor Callaghan (James Cromwell), Tadashi’s lecturer. During the day of his presentation, a freak fire breaks out and the resultant explosion kills both Tadashi and Callaghan. After his brother’s death, Hiro secludes himself from the rest, but it is up to Tadashi’s noble AI, Baymax (Scott Adsit) to pull Hiro’s up on his feet again.
Even if Big Hero 6 does not derive its story from its own original materials, the animation still feels familiar in the storytelling department with many of the story elements are heavily borrowed from the standard animation catalogues. In particular, the chemistry between Hiro and his sidekick "health care" robot Baymax is not exactly as stellar as the one established between Hiccup and Toothless in “How to Train Your Dragon”, but the candy-coated heartfelt and adorable Disney’s flavours help to make the relationship more meaningful. And they even did an almost similar outdoor high-flying binding scene together! Baymax, dressed with the puffy, bloated marshmallow appearance and safe vinyl structure, is the centre of plenty hilarious gags and touching interactions with his human companions. Yes, we will never feel enough of his occasionally charming, and silly, or his soft and tender care. Hence, Baymax could probably be the next big thing, much like the Minions or Groot.
Strictly following the standard juice of superhero template, Big Hero 6 does little to offer itself being distinctively different from the other superhero-themed movie. My obvious disappointment is the fact that the lack of stronger central emotion and believable purposes in the Big Hero 6 characters, means that my desire to see it replicates the charms and brilliance of “The Incredibles” do not happen here. The story about the Kabuki-masked man, supposedly the main villain, is pretty weak; while the other members of the newly-minted band of vigilante, are relatively archetypal and receive little screen time. And the other big issue with Big Hero 6, is the ultimately rushed through predictable plot it warps.
Even with the flaws, the simple appreciation for this animation is that it is here to provide great entertainment in the forms of lovable characters and workable silly gags. It may not be entirely a guilty-pleasure experience, but I do doubt if Big Hero 6 is going to be a memorable film going on forward from here on. B+
Numerical Rating (In case you are also interested):
Story: 3.5
Casts: 4.0
Cinematography: 5.0
Effects: 5.0
GREEN-TEA-O-METER: 15.3/20.0
Story: 3.5
Casts: 4.0
Cinematography: 5.0
Effects: 5.0
GREEN-TEA-O-METER: 15.3/20.0
Trailer:
Info Dashboard:
Big Hero 6
Casts: Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, T.J. Miller, Jamie Chung, Damon Wayans Jr., Genesis Rodriguez, James Cromwell
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Don Hall, Chris Williams
Screenplay: Jordan Roberts , Don Hall , Robert L. Baird , Duncan Rouleau , Paul Briggs
Rating: P13
Release date: 13 November 2014
Running time: 102 minutes
Casts: Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, T.J. Miller, Jamie Chung, Damon Wayans Jr., Genesis Rodriguez, James Cromwell
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Don Hall, Chris Williams
Screenplay: Jordan Roberts , Don Hall , Robert L. Baird , Duncan Rouleau , Paul Briggs
Rating: P13
Release date: 13 November 2014
Running time: 102 minutes
