Big Hero 6 has the unenviable premise as the latest film from Disney after Frozen, which won the Oscar and became the highest-grossing animated film in history.
Big Hero 6 doesn’t feature magical snowmen nor is it filled with catchy songs, but the animated movie—with its heart and humor—is a worthy follow-up to the “Let It Go” blockbuster.
An action-packed comedy-adventure, Big Hero 6 is about 14-year-old robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada (voiced by Ryan Potter), who learns to harness his genius—thanks to his brilliant brother Tadashi (Daniel Henney) and their “nerdy” friends: adrenaline junkie Go Go Tamago (Jamie Chung), neatnik Wasabi (Damon Wayans Jr.), chemistry whiz Honey Lemon (Genesis Rodriguez) and fanboy Fred (T.J. Miller).
When a devastating turn of events catapults them into the midst of a dangerous plot unfolding in the streets of fictional San Fransokyo, Hiro turns to his closest companion—a large, cute inflatable robot named Baymax—and transforms the group into a band of high-tech heroes determined to solve the mystery.
If this sounds like the making of an Avengers with teenagers and gadgets, it’s no surprise that Big Hero 6 is the first animated Marvel film to be released theatrically via Walt Disney Animation Studios. Although it is based on a Marvel comic of the same name, there are lots of changes to the names, setting, ethnicities of characters, back stories and several plot points.
Like Frozen, Big Hero 6 features family, friends, action and drama. But its main character is the big, lovable robot Baymax, who steals every scene in which he appears and generates most of the film’s laughs.
Also like Frozen, which spotlighted the love between two sisters, Big Hero 6 focuses on the touching brotherly love between Hiro and Tadashi. Additionally, the film spotlights the bond of family as Aunt Cass (Maya Rudolph) deeply cares for the brothers.
For the most part, the film largely focuses on the relationship between Hiro and Baymax, who is like a surrogate brother to the main hero. Another strong lesson from the film is that family can be more than blood related, as Hiro’s friends genuinely care for him as their little brother.
When watching the movie with their children, Christian parents can also discuss the life lessons explored by Big Hero 6, which include sacrificial love, forgiveness and the pitfalls of revenge.
Overall, Big Hero 6 is a fun-filled, uplifting movie that will entertain boys and girls of all ages with its refreshingly heroic storyline.
Content Watch: Rated PG for action and peril, some rude humor and thematic elements, Big Hero 6 is very tame compared to other recent animated movies. The violence is fairly mild, despite the fast-paced action. However, the villain Yokai, which means “spirit” or “phantom” in Japanese, could be a little scary for younger kids. Words such as jerk, brat and stupid are used. It is implied that Hiro’s family has a Buddhist background.
A.B. Petrucci 
Abby Trivett 
CBN News 
