Big Hero 6 (2014)

 

Yes, it's possible to create an animated film based on a Marvel property that has a wonderful message for kids (and adults) and still feel like a superhero film. 

Case and point: 'Big Hero 6'.

Young prodigy Hiro Hamada lives with his older brother and aunt in San Fransokyo. Turns out Hiro is a bit of a slacker and already finished high school at the age of 13 but doesn't have a goal in life. That is, until his brother Tadashi shows him the place where he studies and especially his magnum opus, a special soft robot called Baymax, who is designed to help people in distress and pain. Sort of like a big, cuddly nurse and doctor all rolled into one. Hiro's interest is picqued, and in order for him to enroll, he has to present something, so he creates minibots, small robots that can combine and follow mentally transferred orders. But when a fire destroys the centre and Tadashi is killed, Hiro loses all interest. He finds Baymax is in his room, and through some luck, finds out that his minibots are still operational. Turns out that someone wearing a kabuki-mask has mass produced these and is using them for nefarious means. So now Hiro, together with Tadashi's fellow students, suit up and plan to find out what exactly is going on... 

Yes, this has many tropes of the superhero-theme: the lost sibling, a tale of revenge, a prodigy, ... And yet, it is something of a different beast altogether. It pretty much combines the better parts of animation and superheroes into one nice whole, and the message of compassion and forgiveness is a strong one, but it is not laid on thick. You get it, just by the character of Baymax. 

The characters are fun and surprisingly realistic in their actions. Hiro is not without his flaws, but he grows and learns. The rest of the team is fun, but especially Fred stands out, because he is just rich and has this fascination for superheroes, so he's basically the team mascot and also the one who gets them to team and suit up. He's literally the fanboy in the audience who gets to join and it is a hoot. Sure, the villainous character is a little weak and has a pretty standard motivation for doing whatever he does, but that's okay. It's not really about him anyway. 

You'll instantly fall in love with Baymax, though. Not only is his design just so incredibly cuddly and likable, a little like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, but more cutesy, yet it is the soft voice and the way he moves that completes the picture. Yes, he later on gets armour and some kickass things to do, but in his purest form, he is just so adorable and he is the vessel through which Hiro learns some important lessons. 

The animation is gorgeous, by the way. The city, the environments: they all look absolutely stunning and are so vibrant with colours and life, it's wonderful to watch. You will discover new things every time you gaze upon it. 

Not much else to say, really. If you like animation and superheroes, you will love this, especially since it's more about being kind to the world and how that will always get you farther. 

Oh, and you will never do a fistbump the same way again.