*I promise there are no spoilers!*
Let me start off by saying that I had always enjoyed super hero movies when I was a kid. I loved the Power Rangers, TMNT, and X-Men. When the new round of Batman movies came out, I was ecstatic, and saw them all multiple times. And I loved the Iron Man movies, which merged into The Avengers… which is where my enthusiasm began to descend.
I feel that lately the super hero movies are lacking something. I can’t stand the Iron Man sequels, did not enjoy the first Avengers movie, or any of the spin-offs they inspired (sorry, Captain America, but I wish you would stop).
So I admittedly was hesitant to go see the new Disney movie, Big Hero 6, for fear that it would follow the same mediocre production as its predecessors. Luckily for me, I was very, very wrong.
First off, this movie has a wonderful characters of mostly the brainy scientist types, a group that has long been stereotyped in movies and never truly allowed to evolve into anything more, until now. Boy genius Hiro is a incredibly intelligent, but he’s also really cool and sort of edgy. He doesn’t don the nerdy glasses/braces/pocket protector, or talk with some sort of speech impediment, as per most “nerdy” characters. He’s rather fearless and very likable. His closeness to his brother, Tadashi, feels real and genuine, and you are instantly taken by their relationship.Even the smaller roles have an authenticity to them.
The brother’s Aunt Cass (voiced by the fabulous Maya Rudolph) is super cool and trendy, and while you get the idea that she doesn’t really know how to raise two boys, you also understand that she cherishes them and has great memories of time spent with them, probably while cooking!
The group that Hiro matches himself up with all bring something special. My only complaint is that we don’t get to know the group much, save for one member whose background is pretty interesting (stay after the credits to understand why!). But the way they got together is sufficient enough for the viewer to feel a comradery with Wasabi, Honey Lemon, Gogo, and Fred.
And of course, there’s Baymax. Truly a unique robot – I mean who’s ever seen such a plushy, squishy robot before? He isn’t a fighter, he doesn’t have laser vision, he can’t even fly. He was built to care for humans and his dedication to Hiro is as heartwarming as the love shared between the more tradition “boy and his dog”. Baymax rocks!
Second, the story is full of heart. You will laugh out loud at some of the situations sweet Baymax and Hiro get into. The emotions, the struggles, the low points, and the triumphs are all felt very strongly because of the perfect character development. The viewer will feel that passion from the creators while they watch the movie. It’s impossible not too.
When venturing through San Fransokyo, notice all of the unbelievable attention to detail places through every alleyway. And my fellow anime fans are sure to feel the Hayao Miyazaki influence as the team rushes through the cities highways. Part of the story is told simply through the back drop. It’s wonderful!
And most importantly, it’s totally unique. This is not a superhero movie. It’s totally different. I love the fact that the “nerds” are getting their day, and in a completely kick-ass way ta-boot!
Go see this movie. Leave your preconceived ideas at the door, because I promise that this movie is full of surprises, and has something for everyone. Let me know what you think!
The Disney Diva 