The film will no doubt prove to be the biggest animation hit of the year
Director:Â Don Hall and Chris Williams
Voice cast: Scott Adsit, Ryan Potter, Maya Rudolph, Damon Wayans Jr., Daniel Henney, T.J. Miller, Jamie Chung, Genesis Rodriguez, James Cromwell, Alan Tudyk
Running Time:Â 95 minutes.
Rating: PG
UK Release date: 30th January 2015
FROZEN may have been the big animated film at the end of 2013, but hot on its heels of popularity, minus the singing of course, is this loose adaptation of a Marvel comic, BIG HERO 6.
The movie is set in the futuristic city of San Fransokyo – a seamless fusion of traditional Japanese and Victorian-influenced American architecture, where a funny and endearing story unfolds. A heartwarming bond develops between a smart teenager with great technology skills and a gigantic, gentle robot called Baymax in yet another must-see, successful creation by Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Perhaps one of its biggest successes aside from its engaging plot and lovable characters, is its gender appeal. The film, co- directed by Don Hall and Chris Williams, will appeal to the masses in the same way that FROZEN successfully did; boys, girls, children and adults alike will be drawn to the film, which defies gender and age convention.Â
Of course this may not be apparent from the onslaught of trailer and promos where the audience will see robotics, superheroes and what may be deemed to be by some a largely male-appealing plot, but that is most definitely not the case. The animated film is surging with sentimental plangency and the biggest emotional draw comes in the form of an oversized, inflated, huggable balloon of a robot who defines himself as a ‘Personal Healthcare Companion’.Â
He takes on the pivotal role of a friend, therapist, father and companion figure to a 14-year-old teenager who graduated from high school at 13, Hiro Hamada (voiced by Ryan Potter). Spending his time in robot battles, Hiro has been wasting his potential and needs steering back onto the right path, which is the job of his big brother.  The two siblings live with their Aunt since the death of their parents – another familiar Disney plot line so it seems.
However, Hiro definitely suffers his fair share of tragedy and loss when the one person left who he admires also dies – his brother, Tadashi (Daniel Henney). The eldest sibling is killed in a fiery, but suspicious accident and grieving Hiro takes comfort in the companionship provided by Tadashi’s invention — a gentle nurse robot named Baymax (voiced superbly by Scott Adsit).
It doesn’t take long for Hiro to discover that his brother’s death was, in fact an opprobrious plot in order to take advantage of Hiro’s new invention – microbots.  Naturally, the heroine of the film is seeking revenge and puts his technological brain to good use to apprehend the culprit and avenge his brother’s death and in doing so, that means he has to make a few upgrades to Baymax with technical fighting specifications.
In order to achieve the titular status, Hiro garners the heroic backup from Tadashi’s friends, including adrenaline junkie GoGo (Jamie Chung), neat freak Wasabi (Damon Wayans Jr.), alchemy whiz Honey Lemon (Genesis Rodriguez) and ultimate fanboy Fred (T.J. Miller).
There is no denying that the unique scripting by Robert L. Baird & Daniel Gerson and Jordan Roberts has created characters that will appeal in this technically ambitious production. Out of all of the characters, Baymax is the biggest scene stealer with directors Hall (WINNIE THE POOH) and Williams (BOLT) bringing to life the gentle giant so inexplicably well to maximum comic effect.
Overall, BIG HERO 6 is the perfect film to entertain the whole family. It’s delightful, uproariously funny and fully deserving of its Golden Globe and Oscar award nominations. The plot is conventional, Baymax is adorable and the film will no doubt prove to be the biggest animation hit of the year. What a triumphant success for Walt Disney Animation Studios that may cast a very wide net with a strong potential for future heroics.
Verdict
