Big Hero 6 (and "Feast" Animated Short) Review

As I mentioned earlier in the week, our family has been on a Big Hero 6 kick since we saw the movie (thanks to Walt Disney Studios!) last Saturday – talking about it every day, listening to the soundtrack (we especially LOVE “Immortals” from Fallout Boy and Greek Fire’s “Top of the World”), eating Baymax cupcakes and doing science experiments and other activities related to the movie. Now finally, the wait is over! The next smash hit – I know this will be true! – is now playing in theaters near you, and I’m just going to tell you… you pretty much can’t get there fast enough.

Feast

You may have caught a sneak peek of the adorable star Winston, but other than that I’m not sure there was much that was given away about the short that airs before Big Hero 6. Once again, a film just a few minutes long tells such a beautiful story! Feast follows Winston and his owner as they experience life’s ups and downs – through the interesting perspective of Winston’s changing diet. It’s heartwarming, for sure. I laughed and teared up a little, all in just a few moments. Definitely a great way to start an afternoon or evening at the movies! 🙂

C. Disney

Big Hero 6

C. Disney

Set in San Fransokyo sometime in the future, the feature film opens with an underground bot fighting ring where we meet young Hiro. We quickly learn that Hiro is brilliant, but that his older brother Tadashi wants more for him than his involvement in illegal (though lucrative) bot fighting. Tadashi successfully convinces Hiro to earn a spot in what he affectionally refers to as “nerd school” (a local, highly prestigious robotics program) and we see a glimpse of what should be a wonderful, fulfilling future for two boys who have already been through a lot in their young lives.

Of course, that wouldn’t be a very entertaining (or very long) movie, if that was the entire synopsis.  Instead, through tragedies and plot twists you may expect from a comic book based film (though twists that are still far from predictable!) we get a story of growth, redemption and forgiveness.

Hiro (voiced by Ryan Potter) is such a relatable character on so many levels, for both kids and adults alike – and an inspiration as we watch his triumphs and development. Baymax (Scott Adsit) is every bit as lovable as I had hoped, and then some. He is truly a hero, even if he resembles a giant marshmallow. Or a giant marshmallow dressing up as Iron Man. 🙂  Tadashi is the most beautiful example of love – even tough love – we have seen from siblings since, well, um, Frozen. But still. It’s truly an inspiring relationship. The rest of the “6”, comprised of characters from Tadashi’s “nerd lab”, are all genuinely wonderful characters. I loved every one of them from the moment they were introduced.

C. Disney

A few bonus lessons:

• “If you want it easy, [this] isn’t for you. We are going to change the world.” When a professor at the school of robotics was talking to Hiro about his attendance, he challenged him with this statement. It’s so true of anything we want out of life, too. If we want to take the easy route, that’s fine. We can. But if we want to change the world? Things may be a little harder. But, well, we might just change the world.
• “It doesn’t look like much, but when it links up with its pals, things get more interesting.” On our own, we may be limited. But in the presence of, and with the help and support of, like-minded people, we can do so much more.
• Your unique skills make your best super power. Ok, so maybe you don’t have a super suit. (Do you? Because that would be so. cool.) But this is true in “real life”, too. When Hiro begins to assemble a team of super heroes from a bunch of nerds, we see him utilizing exactly the same skill set for each individual hero that we have seen them demonstrate before. He doesn’t try to turn them into something they aren’t; instead, he uses their unique gifts and wiring and helps them maximize their potential.
• “But what is the plan?!” Even with all the tools in the world, and even if you’re doing exactly what you’re wired to do? Our superhero team demonstrates just how (hilariously) disastrous it can be to move forward on a big project without a plan in place.

Other parental pointers:

As mentioned, we took our kids with us to the screening. They are ages 6, 6 and 2.5 and they all did really well. All three thoroughly enjoyed the movie, but there are a few scenes worth mentioning if you take your kiddos.

The climax of the fight between villain and heroes is rather intense. Not so much that I wouldn’t recommend seeing it, and certainly there is nothing inappropriate or even violent about it. If you have kids that are sensitive to ominous scenes though, I’d do a little bit of research on an in-depth review site and make the decision for your family.  My littlest one held his ears and turned around for a few minutes, but overall they all did well.

C. Disney

POTENTIAL SEMI-SPOILER (THOUGH NOT IF YOU’VE WATCHED THE TRAILERS ;)) ……………….. There is a funeral scene that takes place that is perhaps one of the most raw moments I’ve seen in an animated film since the opening montage of Up.  It isn’t quite that emotionally wrecking (I mean that in the best way possible, of course ;)) but it definitely made me cry for a long time. Bring tissues and prepare to either hide from your kids or talk to them about death.

Overall, in case I haven’t made it clear, go see this movie. The animation is great, and the 3D technology somehow keeps getting better and better. I laughed, I cried, and I can’t stop talking about it. Literally the only problem I had with it at first, my husband rectified by reminding me that in comic book stories, the villain isn’t often fully redeemed. You’ll have to watch before we can expound on that more, though…. 🙂 Oh – and don’t forget to stay for the end, especially if you’re a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Big Hero 6 is definitely a winner.

C. Disney