Considering the success that The Incredibles had 10 years ago, it’s surprising that another Disney CG superhero movie (sequel or otherwise) wasn’t green lit right away. Big Hero 6 now fights in a market where at least 3 superhero movies are released a year. That’s a lot to fight through to get any attention. Thankfully, Big Hero 6 sits firmly in it’s own world with it’s own great characters.

The main character is Hiro, a 13 year old living in San Fransokyo (a great alt-history idea that makes for a very unique, yet familiar looking city for the movie to play in) with his brother Tadashi and aunt. Hiro is a brilliant kid who has no direction in life. His brother is an amazing inventor encourages him to leave battle bots behind and work towards his future. Tadashi brings him to his school where Hiro is introduced great friends and amazing opportunities. Inspired, Hiro applies to the school and makes it in. Things look great until a tragic accident that takes Tadashi’s life.

Tadashi lives on in his final and greatest invention, Baymax. That’s him in the poster above. Baymax is a inflatable robot nurse. He “lives” in a charging station and when he hears someone in distress (“ouch”) he inflates out of his compact storage mode and helps you. He’s got all the necessary gear and knowledge packed inside him, the sole purpose to help people coded into his software. Hiro befriends this adorable being and with the help of Tadashi’s friends, come together to stop a revenge plot that uses stolen tech from Hiro.

Helping people quickly becomes the theme of the movie, Hiro’s journey is a very personal one as the story unfolds. The relationship between Hiro and Baymax is the fulcrum of he movie and works really well. They make for a really interesting and convincing duo. The animation on Baymax alone makes him a very unique character.

With each CG animated movie, the just look better and better. Big Hero 6 is a great looking piece of animation. The lighting in this movie is particularly outstanding. Fun characters and designs combined with cool powers (and the appropriate dazzling special effects) to match.

I found a lot to love in this movie. A great story that never panders to its audience. Something for every age to grab on to and like, Big Hero 6 is a nice breath of fresh air in a crowded room.