Big Hero 6 – A Slightly off Kilter Review

Have you figured out that I’m a fan of movies?  Cause I am… especially those that leave you with a warm fuzzy… Disney movies usually fit the bill here with the exception of Maleficent but don’t get me started back on that one.
I also like when I know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about the movie I’m going to see.  No expectations, no disappointment.  And that’s how it happened when I was invited to attend the press screening of Disney’s latest animated feature, Big Hero 6.  In fact…. I was even unaware that this was loosley based on a Marvel property until… well, until I almost missed the last scene… you know, the one that plays AFTER the credits on all Marvel affiliated flicks… oops.

But hey – a mid-week movie?  Count me in!  So I grabbed one of my favorite movie watching buddies and together we settled in for the show.

But before the movie started was a lovely little short, Feast…. which I found ADORABLE but that’s not exactly what this post is about.  I really like the shorts that Disney has done… it takes a tremendous amount of talent to bring together a story without dialog that grabs your attention in such a short amount of time and Feast does that beautifully.

On with the real reason for this post though…

bigHero6_titleFrom Walt Disney Animation Studios, the team behind “Frozen” and “Wreck-It Ralph,” comes “Big Hero 6,” an action-packed comedy-adventure about the special bond that develops between Baymax (voice of Scott Adsit), a plus-sized inflatable robot, and prodigy Hiro Hamada (voice of Ryan Potter). When a devastating event befalls the city of San Fransokyo and catapults Hiro into the midst of danger, he turns to Baymax and his close friends adrenaline junkie GoGo Tomago (voice of Jamie Chung), neatnik Wasabi (voice of Damon Wayans Jr.), chemistry whiz Honey Lemon (voice of Genesis Rodriguez) and fanboy Fred (voice of T.J. Miller). Determined to uncover the mystery, Hiro transforms his friends into a band of high-tech heroes called “Big Hero 6.” Inspired by the Marvel comics of the same name, and featuring breathtaking action with all the heart and humor audiences expect from Walt Disney Animation Studios, “Big Hero 6” is directed by Don Hall (“Winnie the Pooh”) and Chris Williams (“Bolt”), and produced by Roy Conli (“Tangled”).

Ok, so boilerplate aside, I really enjoyed this movie… for so many reasons… I love that Disney made science cool.  This was a nice departure from the traditional formula of the “princess” movies where the heroine disobey’s her parents and eventually gets rewarded… I know, I know… Disney has been doing great things with positive messages in it’s movies ( Frozen, Brave, etc.) but this one seemed different to me.  Maybe because they took Hiro, a rebellious kid who’s actions are leading him down a dangerous path and very quickly in the film, he chooses to channel his talents and brainpower to something more meaningful.  Thinking back to other Disney flicks, normally I feel like the main character embraces their rebellious streak and luck just so happens to work in their favor.  I’m not explaining this well – I just know I liked it.

I love that this movie created a space where I loved the supporting cast as much as the main characters… I’d be hard pressed to pick a favorite character but Wasabi is right up there.

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As was Fred.

Fred_big hero 6

Of course I don’t know that anyone left the theater without a desire to find their own Baymax… a brilliant marketing plan with Christmas right around the corner… and if I might add, I love that with a movie so deeply “sciency” Disney successfully avoided outdated stereotypes in the cast.  We have both make and female scientists, as well as mixed races in the characters and actors portraying them.  You know… like in real life.

And then there are those moments that, as a parent, were oh so relateable – There’s a spot towards the beginning where Aunt Cass, Hiro’s guardian, starts off with questions like “Are you ok?!?” frantically checking Hiro and Tadashi after an event… when she finds that they are in fact ok, she flawlessly transitions to grabbing them by their ears and screaming “What were you thinking” and continues a very “mom-like” rant that had me nodding my head in understanding…

Aunt Cass Big hero 6

Beyond the characters,  The entire movie was so visually amazing that there were even parts that could have been live action instead of animation – yes, it was THAT flawless.  I am not geeky enough to truly understand WHY it felt different than most animated movies… prolly something to do with advancements in science… all I know is that whatever Disney Animation did here, works.

bigHero6a

Parts of the movie felt reminiscent of The Incredibles which is another of my favorites – the idea that together we are stronger than alone and how no one is an island.  Let’s face it – we need each other… our friends, our family, our PEOPLE make us stronger – even if we don’t possess super powers.  And much like  The Incredibles, each of the characters embraces the skills and talents that make them unique to overcome evil.  I love that underlying message – you don’t have to be like everyone else – be you, but be the best YOU that you can be.

And, of course, alongside the raucous laughter, there was more than one moment that punched me right in the feels.  And I can’t believe that I’m alone in that.  I know I cry at just about everything but I was honestly moved between laughter and tears a few times and I heard others around me in the same boat.

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Also worthy of mentioning is that this is a movie that really can appeal to all ages – in the theater was a mix of children and adults and all seemed engaged.  I know I’m going to want to share this movie with my own kids and my movie going partner mentioned the same… if he can get his teen to look past the idea that this is a “kids movie.” It’s really so much more than that.

The film hits theaters in 3D on Nov. 7, 2014. For more information, check out www.Disney.com/BigHero6, like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/DisneyBigHero6, and follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/DisneyAnimation.

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