Big story. Big action. Big animation. Big tech. Big laughs. Big heart. When it came to the creation of Disney’s latest animated film, Big Hero 6, the team at Walt Disney Studios seems to have faced the challenge with a go-big-or-go-home attitude. It’s a big movie, and it’s going to be even bigger with kids and families.
From Walt Disney Animation Studios, the team behind “Frozen” and “Wreck-It Ralph,” comes “Big Hero 6,” an action-packed comedy-adventure about the special bond that develops between Baymax (voice of Scott Adsit), a plus-sized inflatable robot, and prodigy Hiro Hamada (voice of Ryan Potter). When a devastating event befalls the city of San Fransokyo and catapults Hiro into the midst of danger, he turns to Baymax and his close friends adrenaline junkie Go Go Tomago (voice of Jamie Chung), neatnik Wasabi (voice of Damon Wayans Jr.), chemistry whiz Honey Lemon (voice of Genesis Rodriguez) and fanboy Fred (voice of T.J. Miller). Determined to uncover the mystery, Hiro transforms his friends into a band of high-tech heroes called “Big Hero 6.” Inspired by the Marvel comics of the same name, and featuring breathtaking action with all the heart and humor audiences expect from Walt Disney Animation Studios, “Big Hero 6” is directed by Don Hall (“Winnie the Pooh”) and Chris Williams (“Bolt”), and produced by Roy Conli (“Tangled”).
6 Big Lessons From Big Hero 6
Girl Power Rocks
While superhero stories are often male dominated, when Marvel includes female heroes they are just as strong as their male counterparts. In Big Hero 6, GoGo Tomago and Honey Lemon are no damsels in distress. Instead these girls have super brains, super loyalty and some super lines. In fact, without giving anything away, GoGo has the best line in the movie.
Take your girls to see Big Hero 6 for a hero story that bypasses all male/female stereotypes and celebrates the hero in all of us.
Geeks Rule
Quiet nerds in a supporting role to heroes have come a long way. In Big Hero 6 brainiacs are celebrated with six self-described nerds who prove that brains are cool. From the moment Hiro is introduced to the science and tech world of these super nerds, he is in awe and can’t wait to be part of the team. Girl/boy it doesn’t matter, what matters is how these character use their intellect to create amazing new inventions, each unique to the character who builds them, but each completely awesome.
Unlike other Marvel superheroes who have mutant super powers, these heroes get their power from the super inventions they create.
Robots Are Awesome
In many movies about robots artificial intelligence is portrayed as bad — you know, machines taking over the world. But in Big Hero 6 robots are totally awesome. Baymax is the ultimate AI robot, and by the end of the movie everyone in the audience wants to take home the lovable, huggable robot.
What could be better than a robot that is taught to protect, learns to care and flies?! Who wouldn’t want their very own Baymax?
Loved Ones Are Never Really Gone
The loss of Tadashi Hamada early in the movie is a pivotal moment for all of the characters and ultimately defines development of the heroes. But the journey to acceptance isn’t easy for young Hiro. When he reaches the moment when he truly understands that his brother will always live on in his heart and in the legacy of Baymax he is finally able to become a hero.
It is a big message for an animated film, but it is what ultimately gives the movie such heart and makes it more than just a story about good versus evil.
Friends Stick Together
The heroes in Big Hero 6 aren’t born heroes, they become heroes when one of their own is in need. That is a special message about the importance of friendship and banding together. Even if we don’t all have super science and super robots on our side, we can all learn from Big Hero 6 about how to be a better, more supportive friend.
Together with friends, no enemy big or small can prevail. And along the way, our lives are enriched by opening our hearts to friends who love and guide us.
Revenge is Never the Answer
There is a strong element of revenge in the actions of both Hiro and Yokai, but what makes Hiro a hero and Yokai a villain is the support of and love of Hiro’s friends and the ultimate understanding that Tadashi’s memory lives on. In Big Hero 6 the audience witnesses the transformation of Hiro when he realizes that revenge is not the answer, and the fall of Yokai when a good man is buried in hate and revenge rules his heart.
Will My Kids Love It?
Yes! This is a great kids movie, filled with lessons from the heart and a lot of fun. I have no doubt this will be a hit with kids of all ages.
I do want to warn parents with sensitive children that there are three battle scenes within the movie, and the catalyst of the movie is the death of Hiro’s big brother early in the movie. But like the passing of pivotal characters in other classic Disney tales like The Lion King, Tadashi’s death is handled with grace. The battle scenes leave the audience perched on the edge of their seats and might be difficult for small children. However, if they can get through those moments the movie more than makes up for a few scary parts with humor and heart.
Important note for parents of sensitive kids – The climax of the movie appears to result in another tragic loss. I won’t go into detail other than it is ok to reassure your children that everything will be ok — I promise. This is Disney after all.