8.5/10

Disney and Marvel team up to soar to exhilarating heights with the most unlikely of heroes in this part comedy, part wholesome family animated feature. “Big Hero 6” delivers on all kinds of levels by leaping off the pages of the Marvel Comic Strip to give the audience something to give them loads of hope when it comes to future Marvel/Disney collaborations. It follows robotics engineer prodigy Hiro Hamada, a 14 year old kid who learns to harness his genius thanks to his brilliant brother Tadashi and their like-minded friends. This group of lovable characters includes adrenaline junkie Go Go Tamago, neatnik Wasabi, chemistry whiz Honey Lemon and fanboy Fred. When a devastating turn of events catapults them into the midst of a dangerous plot unfolding in the streets of San Fransokyo (Yes, you read that correctly), Hiro turns to his closest companion,a robot named Baymax and transforms the group into a band of high-tech heroes determined to solve the mystery. This movie officially knocks “The Lego Movie” off the map to become my favorite animated film of 2014 so far. It does this by structuring individual traits in each of it’s characters to make them stand out. Not only that, but the movie has a lot of heart and tearjerking moments that you don’t often see in kids movies today. I feel wrong describing this film as a “Kids movie” because i feel adults will even find a lot to relate to this film. There are tales of love and bitter loss, tales of finding the potential deep inside of us to be brilliant, as well as tales of strong friendship. I absolutely fell in love with Hiro and Baymax so much that i wanted to be a part of their friendship. The relationship between them is structured very carefully. They become best friends because Hiro realizes this robot may be the only friend he has in the entire world watching his back. The animation is another noteworthy feature with plenty of jaw dropping backgrounds that has the best of San Francisco and Tokyo, Japan. With a lot of beautifully crafted chase scenes, you will be begging to buy this DVD just to capture all of the hidden Easter Eggs within the town’s banners and neon electronic signs. Speaking of hidden gems, Stan Lee does make his usual Marvel movie cameo. I won’t spoil where it is, but if you find it please leave some feedback below If the film did hit any sour notes for me, it’s in the 3rd act where too much feels stuffed in the final 20 minutes. There are a lot of twists and turns with the mystery behind a mask wearing evildoer. The mystery shouldn’t be too hard to figure out for anyone paying even remote attention, but my problem lies in how back and forth they push this character. There are times when our protagonists want him dead, but others when they want to help him. It almost decreases the importance of the mission in front of them. The ending works, but the outlining of it should’ve happened a little earlier in the film. Last but not least is the great voice work from a well experienced cast of Hollywood’s comedic best. Maya Rudolph, Damon Wayans JR, and Alan Tudyk all have important roles that add to the shaping of Baymax’s emotions, but if there is one person who stands out more than others, it’s TJ Miller. Miller was cast in another great animated feature this year, “How To Train Your Dragon 2”, but i think his role in this film as Fred is his best vocally to this day. There is something that feels academically challenged and yet a genius with his character at the same time. He is responsible for a majority of the comedy within the film, but he never feels like he is taking the movie hostage, and as a result, there is a nice medium between laughter and those heartfelt moments of loss. I strongly urge everyone to see this film. There is a lot that comic fans can appreciate, but i think this film speaks volumes to all filmgoers respectively. There isn’t a film currently out that speaks to every member of the family equally more than this one, and i think it’s a perfect alternative to leaving behind the nasty weather outside. “Big Hero 6” is beautifully illustrated, and wholesomely engaging. It’s a real coming of age story that you will find yourself relating to and even cheering for.