There are a couple of reasons to celebrate Disneys newest 3D animated film, Big Hero 6. The first is that it continues the companys trend of pushing new, different methods and environments for storytelling (Wreck-It Ralph was unlike anything before it, while Tangled and Frozen both stretched their Princess boundaries to the outermost limits), under the tutelage of former Pixar mastermind John Lasseter. The second is that its actually a loose adaptation of a little-known comic book series of the same name, borne from their purchase of Marvel Studios in 2009. This is encouraging since it means that Disney is actually going to USE that $4 billion purchase to create more than just the standard superhero fare we were going to get anyway. Big Hero 6 follows young Hiro Hamada, a hotshot science genius who spirals into depression following the death of his older brother Tadashi. Hes helped by Tadashis old school project, a medical robot named Baymax (voiced by 30 Rocks Scott Adsit), and eventually uses his technical know-how to create a superhero team and track down the criminal who stole his invention. Its a fun time, stolen by two factors: Adsits deadpan robot voice and pitch-perfect delivery, and animation that almost looks photo-realistic. The film is also helped by the inventive blending of cultures, as the city this is set in is a quirky mix of San Francisco and Tokyo that feels fully fleshed out, familiar even though we dont really learn all that much about it. And since the story flows so quickly, thats really not an issue, as youre meeting characters and smiling or laughing at the witty dialogue and marveling at the excellent visuals, brought to you by directors Don Hall (2011s Winnie the Pooh) and Chris Williams (Bolt). Unfortunately, Big Hero 6 isnt quite as smart as many of its Disney contemporaries, especially with humor that occasionally veers waaay into kiddie territory, but it never gets that far off track before correcting itself, and thats fine anyway for the products intended audience: children. While it hasnt been as weak a year for family fare as it might at first seem - we DID have The Lego Movie, Peabody and Sherman, How to Train your Dragon 2 and The Book of Life - this movie doesnt quite break free from the pack as much as perhaps it should. The soundtrack is jarring, with a single from rock band Fall Out Boy detracting from an otherwise unremarkable musical score. And as far as the story goes, disguising one trope with another doesnt make for groundbreaking writing, but since this story has comic book origins that might garner a pass, depending on your tolerances. Either way this is a movie worth taking your kids to see, while supherhero fans might get a kick out of it as well. Its not on the same level of Disneys more recent hits, but its still a unique, fun afternoon spent. Oh, and be sure to get here early to see Feast, the animated short running beforehand that looks at a mans life through the eyes (and appetite) of his dog. Its directed by the lead animator on Paperman, and easily one of 2014s treasures.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 19:39:00 +0000
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