I did not run out to theaters to see this film. However, with the Oscar buzz, I decided to see it. I am so glad I did. Not only is this a great animated film, but it offers much more heart than recent films. This was made by the same studio who did Frozen and Wreck-It Ralph, but I believe this is their finest production.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your pain?
Before I get into the actual film, I would be remiss if I did not mention the animated short (Feast) that debuted before the film. It was absolutely adorable, and I am very glad it won best animated short at the Oscars. I also really liked the animation used in the short. Okay, now onto Big Hero 6. First of all, the animations are really good, but they are nothing particularly groundbreaking. I saw it in 3D, and it was pretty decent. I am not fond of 3D films, but this one was not too bad. The soundtrack is also pretty good. Henry Jackman is the composer (he also did Wreck-It Ralph) and he is quickly becoming one of my favorite composers. It matched the tone of the film very well, and I even wanted to listen to it again afterwards. I will get into the characters later in the review, but I want to talk about the tone of this film. There is a mixture of comedy, drama, and just sincerity. I love how quickly it could switch from one to the other, but not feel convoluted. However, while the film is very capable with its’ tone, the plot is very basic. From start to finish, I was able to predict what would happen, and that definitely lessened my experience with the film. It has the potential from some truly original storytelling, but it relied too much on some “superhero” conventions (for those who do not know, this is very much a superhero film).
Crying is a natural response to pain
Now let us get into the highlight of the film: the cast of characters. I really enjoyed each person in the film, and even thought they are a bit “cookie-cutter” characters, they had a great dynamic. I will focus on only Hiro and Baymax. Hiro is actually a very complex character. The film is not afraid to explore loss, darkness, and what that can do to a person. I love that the film was willing to go to these dark places. He is a flawed protagonist who has much to offer. The rest of his team is entertaining, but they do not share the same complexities as him. Now we get to Baymax. In many ways, Baymax is the star of the film. He provides the most laughs, and the most heart. I love how a very simple concept turned out to be incredibly effective. Everything about him is perfect. His voice, the way he looks, the way he walks etc. Not only that, but he can be quoted endlessly.
Closing Remarks
While not without its’ shortcomings, Big Hero 6 truly shines. It has a great ensemble cast, a complex protagonist, and a hilarious sidekick in the form of Baymax. This film not only deserved the Oscar, but it also deserves to have a sequel.