I had never even heard of this film before until I saw the first trailer with a robot resembling a fluffy Pillsbury doughboy and I was immediately won over. My pal Prairiegirl who isn’t normally into animated features suddenly couldn’t wait to see the movie. There’s something so captivating about the big, puffy marshmallow creature and its backstory definitely appeals to both my brain and my heart.
The film starts out with two brothers, Hiro (Ryan Potter) and Tadashi (Daniel Henney), as Hiro’s participating in a back alley robot fights in a town called San Fransokyo. Tadashi thinks Hiro’s just wasting his genius potential with all fun and games, and he takes his younger brother to the robotics lab at his university. There Hiro’s introduced to Tadashi’s brainiac pals: Wasabi (Damon Wayans Jr.), Honey Lemon (Genesis Rodriguez), GoGo Tomago (Jamie Chung), Fred (T.J. Miller)… and Baymax. He may look like nothing more than a big fluffy toy, but Baymax is actually an advanced personal healthcare bot that’s been Tadashi’s passion project for years. “On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your pain?” Baymax asks in his soothing mechanical voice, and he won’t deactivate until the patient is satisfied with his care. Tadashi hopes that his creation will help millions of people some day.
The lab visit inspires Hiro to want to enroll at the school, and he worked tirelessly to come up with an imaginative thing on his own to wow Professor Callahan (James Cromwell), head of the robotics program. Just as Hiro reaches a milestone with his own creation of microbots, the film soon takes a tragic turn at the university. It’s following a personal loss that Hiro forms an unlikely friendship with Baymax, who in turns help him find out just what really happens at the university expo that night.
The second and third act of the film pretty much become an action adventure as Hiro gets help from Tadashi’s friends to find out who took Hiro’s microbots. These swarms of tiny robots that can link together to form any kind of shape/arrangement is evidently something that can easily be manipulated for both good and bad purposes. Now, I didn’t know Big Hero 6 is based on a Marvel comics until after I saw the film. So that explains the superhero-flavor of the action sequences, and the quirky band of heroes definitely remind me of the Guardians of the Galaxy team, yet another lesser-known Marvel heroes. The third act with all the high-flying adventure is beautifully crafted, but it also feels a bit too frenetic and familiar. I have to say that it’s the hilarious moments between Hiro and Baymax that truly made the movie for me. The scene at the police station and a set of plastic tape featured in the trailer is even more hilarious!
I kind of wish the movie spend more time with Baymax in his um, birthday suit as it were, he’s far more adorable than when he’s wearing a protective metal suit that makes him look like a bloated Iron Man. The process of getting him into the suit is absolutely hilarious though, but just the way Baymax looks lends itself to slapstick hilarity, especially when it’s running out of battery. It’s a hoot to watch just watching the thing move or do simple things such as walking up the stairs or cuddling Hiro’s fat kitty. It also provides for genuine emotional moments that doesn’t feel forced at all. He’s programmed to heal and he more than delivers in terms of both physical and emotional remedy. As I’m watching it, I’d want my own personal Baymax. His big fluffy hug alone would guarantee to boost your morale no matter how crummy your day’s been.
Disney’s done it again. In the past five years, it seems that they’ve managed to somehow match Pixar in crafting a story that’s not only highly entertaining but with a high emotional quotient as well. I have to say this is one of the most fun I had at the movies this year, rivaling The Lego Movie early in the year. The 3-D visuals are incredible – the quality of animated features these days have been amazing and it just gets better and better. The aerial view of the city in the flying sequences are jaw-dropping-gorgeous and worth seeing on the big screen.
I love how the story inspires kids to explore their imaginations and relish their youthful creativity. But it’s how much it appeals to the heart that leaves a lasting impression on me. Altruistic notion is not uncommon in the age of superhero stories, yet when that moment appears here, the sense of loss feels all too real. But then again, I’ve found that animated features can be as poignant and moving as any live-action dramas, if not more.
Kudos to directors Don Hall and Chris Williams for making a character that’s so easy to root for, and a movie that’s both delightful and inspiring. The voice cast are great too, and they’re refreshingly diverse as the ethnicity of the characters have been changed from the comics version. I could easily watch this again and I don’t mind seeing the sequel that’s surely to follow. So Baymax, I’m definitely VERY satisfied with your care 🙂
Have you seen this one? Did you enjoy it as much as I did?
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Nice review, Ruth. Disney is definitely doing something right these days, and this is another Marvel movie that actually manages to be moving at times. Good stuff here. 🙂
Hi ya Chris! I didn’t realize this was based on Marvel comics, which is good I suppose as I didn’t come in w/ a certain expectations. It really was a lot of fun, Baymax is absolutely adorable!!
This fusion is just too great to miss… so many hilarious moments involving Hiro and Baymax (including the secret toss and enigmatic fa la la la)
Anyway, nice review, Ruth 🙂
Hi Paskalis! Oh yeah, the fa la la bits are hilarious!! I laughed and cried watching this, definitely a fun time at the movies. Thanks!
Sometimes I think I need ny own personal healthcare companion after watching this. Sooo ridiculous!
Happy to see you enjoyed this one so much. Don’t think it is out here yet, but looking forward to seeing it.
It’s really a lot of fun Nostra, worth seeing it in 3D too!
Glad you liked it, Ruth. I’m sure it’s a fun ride and hope to see it soon with my family 🙂
Oh I bet it’s a fun one to see w/ your family! This movie should appeal to both kids and adults, Cindy.
Hi, Ruth:
Intriguing, eye catching critique!
I may have to put some time and funds aside to catch this. Just to dispel its similarities with the nostalgic B&W, ‘Gigantor. The Space Age Robot’ Japanese anime from the 1960s.
Great looking cityscapes and aerial sequences.
Hi Kevin! I really think you can’t go wrong w/ this one. Anime fans should love this but the story really should appeal to everyone, plus the visuals are simply amazing!
I’m sure my niece and nephew will enjoy this one. Disney seems to have righted their animation pictures the last couple years without relying on PIXAR so much. I might give it a rent when it hits Bluray because I’ll have my 3D projector by then. Animations tends to look great in 3D.
Hi Ted! I forgot to mention that John Lasseter is actually the exec producer so I guess there’s still a Pixar influence in this. Oh yeah, this will be a great one to *test* on your new 3D projector! I might buy the 3D version too as I have the 3D kit at home, though I still hate wearing those pesky glasses!
Kristina and my youngest, Ian really wants to see this. Unfortunately, my oldest (7 year old) got scared of the villain in the trailer and won’t see it with us. Looks really good. Can you tell me if some sequences actually are scary for 5-7 year olds?
Oh no, Elliot got spooked by the hooded villain eh? Well, I guess I could see it being rather ominous maybe for the very little ones but I should think anyone over 5 should be ok w/ it, but as I’m not a parent I guess I wouldn’t know. But overall the tone is light and vibrant, it’s a very fun and colorful movie so maybe show him this funny clip and see if you can convince him? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTcLZLKPOtM
Thanks Ruth – I’ll show this to him. Thing is he’s seen other trailer and clips and he loves it but he still says “No way!” 😦
Oh bummer, esp since Ian wants to see it. Well hopefully he’ll come around at some point, I think the movie will be around in cinemas for some time.
Awesome review, Ruth, I’m in total agreement with you on this one. I loved just about everything in this movie, and even though it got a little too familiar for me at times, it’s still my favorite animated movie of the year. Definitely want to see it again on the big screen. Baymax is the greatest. 🙂
Hi Billy! Glad to hear you’re a fan too. The action stuff is less interesting to me than the quieter moments between Baymax and Hiro, man that fluffy robot is just so adorable!!
Hey Flixy, agree 100%! Am so happy that you were able to “fit me in” to the screening. I’ll be first in line when Disney comes out with merchandise for it. I will HAVE to have a huggable Baymax of my very own. Not usually into animation OR movie merch but Big Hero 6 is a BIG exception 😀
Hey Becky! I think I saw a boy holding a Baymax toy so I think it might be out already. It’s soooo adorable I think I want one for myself too. Very cool that you enjoyed an animated film but didn’t you also like How To Train Your Dragon? Lots of Pixar stuff are awesome I think you should give some of ’em a try.
Oh, you’re right, there’s dozens of Baymax’s on Amazon and elsewhere. I guess he’ll be my Chirstmas present to myself this year ;-). Enjoyed HTTYD, Toy Story, Tangled, Tarzan, G-Force, so I guess I kind of cherry pick animated movies.
Oh btw, I forgot to tell you that I rewatched Tarzan again 2 nights ago and was reminded how good that movie was. It’s quite emotional in parts too, and boy the songs are absolutely awesome!
How weird, a positive review for Big hero 6!!! 😉
Seriously, though, I can’t wait to take the kids to this one.
Ahah, yeah VERY weird indeed 😉 I can’t imagine people who didn’t like this movie, it’s so much fun but it’s also got a very touching story. Bring the whole family, Rodney 😀
Waaah!! I don’t get to see this until Boxing Day!!! So jel! I hope I love it 🙂
Hey Ruth! Long time no *see* girl! When’s Boxing Day? Well, it should be worth the wait and I do think you’d enjoy this.
Boxing Day is the day after Christmas, haha – I forget that it’s not a thing everywhere (and I don’t even remember what its about!)
I’m just getting back into blogging regularly after a super hectic year! 😀
Ahhh! LOVED your last line there. I loved this movie. Perhaps some of it comes from the fact that it was such an unexpected delight for me. The movie had a lot of touching moments, and I really connected with the characters. Yet at the same time, it had some great humorous scenes that had me cracking up. I really enjoyed this movie, that I’d put it just a smudge ahead of The Lego Movie (for me!). Great review here, Ruth! Glad that you enjoyed it so much too!
Hi Kris! He..he.. well I stole Baymax’s line. Yep I LOVE this movie, it’s emotional, funny and engaging, what else could you ask for? Yeah, the chase scene w/ the entire group is hilarious, but I think the moments between Hiro and Baymax generate the most laughs from me, and also the most moving. Yeah I put this slightly ahead of The Lego Movie too because of the high emotional factor.
I know! The movie certainly has a great balance. For me, I’m having a little bit of a hard time because I go back and forth with which film I enjoyed more – Big Hero 6 or The Lego Movie. I do appreciate a few moments that generate a sweet, emotional response in The Lego Movie. I just don’t know if it’s because it’s been months since I’ve seen it if it holds up to Big Hero 6 or not. I may have to rewatch it again to decide. Overall, both are great additions to the animated film genre for the year, and it’s nice that there is more than one solid film to come out that will probably be considered come awards season.
Hmmm, that’s a pleasant surprise. I really wasn’t sure about this but it appears to be great!
Hi Mark! I saw it after Foxcatcher and it’s exactly what I needed to perk myself up after such a somber film. This one is just sooo joyful and fun!
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Nice review. Baymax and Hiro are a great team, but I wish the film could’ve taken its time. Everything felt too rushed for my liking, and I actually would’ve liked the film to be about thirty minutes longer. I did enjoy it, but I was disappointed overall. 3/5 for me.
I hear ya Josh! I really wish they had built the relationship between the two more, it does get a bit too action-packed in the third act. I also like Baymax on its own without the red suit. But hey, for sure we’ll get a sequel and I’m excited for that!
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