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Big Hero 6

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Big Hero 6 (Facebook)
Big Hero 6 (Facebook)
What's it about:

Brilliant robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada finds himself in the grips of a criminal plot that threatens to destroy the fast-paced, high-tech city of San Fransokyo. With the help of his closest companion, a robot named Baymax, Hiro joins forces with a reluctant team of first-time crime fighters on a mission to save their city.

What we thought:

Still reeling from the success of Frozen, Walt Disney went the completely opposite route and tapped into the superhero Hollywood craze to create Big Hero Six, a name that only makes sense at the end of the movie. What makes it stand out from the rest is that it includes the most adorable, huggable robot, a mix between Wall-E and Olaf the Snowman. Just by walking Baymax makes you go “Awwww…”

Set in a futuristic city called San Fransokyo (where the West and East seemed to have merged in tech glory) a snarky young genius gets stuck with his older brother’s university project – a squishy robot Baymax that is designed to take care of people medically and mentally – after an unfortunate accident. Embroiled in an evil mastermind plot, Hiro (punny) and his friends use their intellect and seemingly unlimited supply of university resources to stop the mad man.

Disney hasn’t really touched futuristic animations in a while and Big Hero 6 is probably one of their best in this genre (Treasure Planet will always have a special place in my heart). They also cleverly approached the touchy subject of what culture and race will dominate our future world, by just blending in the East and West, even making the two brothers obvious mixed race (a first I think for Disney). 

Although a clear pandering to the already mixed modern society we have today, Disney managed to do it tastefully and without pissing people off, although there are some stereotypes here and there that managed to make it through the cracks. I think only the real hard hats will find something to whine about in Tumblr. Always remember that it’s a children’s movie (although who are we kidding? Adults will love this just as much).

Although the script is predictable, the dialogue was fresh and the design gorgeous, transporting you to a quite plausible future city where technology makes anything possible, although I believe we are still a far way off from a future that tech-savvy. They did go for every university student stereotype there is, and just made them all convenient geniuses who hangs out with a 14-year-old. But hey, movies are not about logic.

I would advise against watching this movie with your very young ones, as there are very adult themes about grief, depression and the philosophy behind revenge. And of course it ain’t a Disney movie without some intense tearjerkers, so be prepared with some tissues.

Action-packed, witty and very PC, Big Hero 6 is a great summer holiday film and shows Disney can move with the times. Now all we need is futuristic Disney Princess, which will complete my life.

P.S. Big Hero 6 also comes with the usual Disney short called Feast, which is lovely for all pet lovers.


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