Big Hero 6: A Talented, Engaging, But Far From Flawless Animated Superhero Film
A gifted and captivating, yet imperfect, animated superhero film about a brilliant boy and an inflatable robot.
Having completed school through an accelerated program, 14-year-old prodigy Hiro Hamada lives in the metropolis of San Fransokyo with his older brother Tadashi and aunt Cass, participating in underground robot battles. When Tadashi shows Hiro the robotics lab at his university and introduces him to his classmates, Hiro decides to enroll as well. He creates microbots for the university exhibition, controlled by thought and capable of assembling into the most bizarre structures. His invention causes a sensation, and he is accepted into the university without exams. However, an explosion occurs, and Tadashi, along with his scientific advisor and Hiro’s microbots, perishes in the fire. Devastated, Hiro falls into depression, emerging only when he accidentally activates his brother’s invention – Baymax, an inflatable medical robot that cannot deactivate until it brings its patient back to normal. Together, Hiro and Baymax try to figure out what happened at the university and why the only remaining microbot behaves as if its brethren are still functioning.
Disney’s Foray into Superhero Animation
After Walt Disney Studios released four princess-themed animated films in a row (with “Wreck-It Ralph” also fitting into this category), we suspected that the “divine twins” of Hollywood animation had divided their responsibilities. The idea was that Disney would now focus on “female” animation like “Frozen,” while Pixar would take on “male” projects (albeit with a healthy dose of sentiment and emotion).
However, in reality, no one seemed to be dividing genres. Pixar is releasing the “female” animated film “Inside Out” next year, which takes place inside the head of a little girl, while Disney has just prepared the superhero animated film “Big Hero 6,” inspired by the Marvel comic of the same name, for release. It’s as testosterone-fueled as possible for a film about a team of “nerds” (Hiro, Baymax, and Tadashi’s four friends) who confront the villain who stole the microbots. How does the studio’s first experiment in a genre that Pixar has already paid tribute to in the brilliant “The Incredibles” fare?
Strengths and Weaknesses
The answer is mixed. “Big Hero 6” can be divided into two unequal parts. First, there are the scenes involving Hiro, Baymax, Tadashi, and the bots, and they are practically flawless. No, not just flawless. They are amazing! The hero’s older brother spends more time on screen than, for example, Peter Parker’s uncle, and viewers can fully appreciate what a wonderful guy he was and how tragic his death is for Hiro and everyone who knew him. Baymax, on the other hand, is a sea of humor and enjoyment. He may be the best bot in the history of children’s films of all genres. Even his shuffling gait makes viewers laugh. And how he flies! How effectively and comically he looks in the armor that Hiro creates for him so that the inflatable robot can fight solid microbots! How hilariously he gestures! How he tries to behave like a caring doctor in all situations! Baymax alone justifies the cost of the ticket, and Hiro is no slouch either. For example, the opening bot fight scene is magnificent in its own right, even though none of the main characters are present.
However, we have complaints about the other parts of the film. For example, Tadashi’s four friends, to whom the film devotes a lot of time and who were equal partners with Hiro in the Marvel comic, turn out to be practically useless in the film. Yes, they are colorful, they support the main character morally, and they add humor to “Big Hero 6” (especially the slacker Fred, who turns out to be… But let’s not spoil it). But in battle, they show their best side only in one climactic scene, and Hiro and Baymax, in principle, could have handled it themselves. In addition, all of their supposedly different heroic abilities (they invent weapons for themselves, each to their own taste) come down to cutting. Which, let’s face it, is boring.
Missed Opportunities
Yes, they themselves say that not much can be expected of them because they are not Batman and Robin, but “nerdy” students. Hiro, however, is not hindered by his “tadpole-ness.” And if they are smart, not strong and brave, then why do they break down the wall with their foreheads instead of inventing a wall-busting machine? A simple jammer, for example, would immobilize the remotely controlled microbots. And, by the way, since they are Hiro’s invention, the guy should have been able to find their weak spot and hit it, rather than militarizing Baymax, who was created for completely different purposes.
The villain is also not particularly impressive – one of those disposable villains with primitive motivations that superhero film and comic book writers stuff into the plot when they are not inspired. At least the criminal looks impressive in battle. Although not on his own, but due to the microbots, which emphasize not so much his villainy as Hiro’s genius.
As for the hybrid city of San Fransokyo, where the action takes place, there is almost nothing of Tokyo in its design, except for the ritual “torii” gates stuck everywhere. The creators of the film should have simply depicted San Francisco without empty bows to the East. And if they wanted a hybrid, they should have destroyed the Tokyo Tower in the finale. Connoisseurs of anime and Godzilla films will not let you lie – without the demolition of the TT, blockbuster epics about Tokyo do not look good!
Fortunately, the fast-paced and carefully balanced action (funny scenes interspersed with combat and emotional ones) prevents you from noticing the above-mentioned blunders, and you only think about them when you leave the hall. So the film turned out to be worthy – but still not as successful as “The Incredibles.” Where, in particular, the heroes acted as one team, and not as a “super robot and guys on the sidelines.”