Big Hero 6
Starring Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit
Directed by Don Hall and Chris Williams
Disney’s latest animated feature boasts all the trademark charms audiences have come to expect from the studio and that’s part of the problem. Big Hero 6 envisions a not-too-distant future San Francisco that has seemingly merged with Tokyo in aesthetic and follows a brilliant young prodigy named Hiro (Potter) and a lovable inflatable robot, who dispenses medical aid and resembles a less contoured Michelin Man, called Baymax (voiced by 30 Rock alum Scott Adsit).
The details as to how Hiro teams up with his robo-buddy would spoil some rather poignant plot points but what follows feels overly familiar; the two must take down a criminal mastermind threatening the city and team up with a band of high-tech geeks destined for hero status. This is also where the plot’s derivative roots begin to show as the movie seems to exist more as the product of focus group analysts ticking boxes instead of a truly original idea.
That being said, Big Hero 6 certainly hits some high notes. Adsit, who is an experienced voice actor, is stellar as Baymax and a gag that likens the robot’s mannerisms while his batteries are low to being stumbling drunk is hilarious.
One thing’s for sure, Big Hero 6 has a lot of infectious verve. The film is also beautifully rendered, full of well-staged action and contains plenty of emotional resonance.
The problem is, we’ve been down this road before and once the closing credits begin to roll it all feels suspiciously like a blatant franchise-starter.
