REVIEW: Big Hero 6

Courtesy of Disney

Disney, still riding high off the record-breaking success of last year’s Frozen, is looking to build on their momentum with this Marvel Comics-inspired superhero tale. While it probably won’t result in the same level of pop culture saturation as Elsa, Anna, Olaf and “Let It Go,” get ready for kids to fall instantly in love with one character in particular. Just in time for Christmas – what a coincidence.

Big Hero 6 takes place in the futuristic city of San Fransokyo, suggesting an upcoming explosion in the popularity of Japanese culture. Young genius Hiro Hamada (Ryan Potter) is grieving the recent loss of his older brother Tadashi (Daniel Henney), though it’s a comfort to have Baymax (Scott Adsit) around. Tadashi created the adorable, marshmallow-esque inflatable robot as a healthcare device, but Hiro uses him to help uncover the mysterious circumstances surrounding his big brother’s death.

When the investigation grows too dangerous for them to handle alone, Hiro calls on their science-loving friends (Jamie Chung, Genesis Rodriguez, Damon Wayans Jr. and T.J. Miller) for help. The result is a new team of high-tech superheroes who use their specific skills to improve their crime-fighting abilities.

Although Big Hero 6 is a lot of setup for little payoff – it’s very much a comic book origin story in the most frustrating way – there are several elements that make it worth a watch. As you might have guessed from the trailers, Baymax is the most entertaining element of the movie by far. He’s a success for a number of reasons, including brilliant character design, spearheaded by co-directors Don Hall and Chris Williams, and a smart screenplay credited to Robert L. Baird, Daniel Gerson and Jordan Roberts.

But the biggest contributing factor is Adsit’s vocal work, specifically his ability to convey warmth and humor into monotone, minimalist dialogue. Despite a lack of opportunities to emote, he’s still the main reason the flick earns its tearjerker ending. (Parents, avoid the rush and track down a Baymax doll immediately.)

The rest of the cast also contributes strong work, particularly Potter and Miller, and I appreciate the film’s unapologetic embrace of science and intelligence. Also admirable: the female members of the team are as smart and brave as the guys – they’re not just present in the story to be rescued or serve as romantic conquests.

Like most of Disney’s recent output, every second of the film is a visual wonder. The amount of detail Hall and Williams, along with their animators, put into the gorgeous, fictional city of San Fransokyo is astonishing.

Overall, it seems most of the narrative problems I have with Big Hero 6 exist simply because this is the first step in the studio’s franchise plans. Like many superhero flicks, I’m guessing the sequel will be more exciting and entertaining now that all the characters are established and the table is set. As long as Baymax comes back, I’ll be there too.

Big Hero 6 is rated PG for action and peril, some rude humor, and thematic elements.

Grade: B