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Big Hero 6 review

Check out our review of Big Hero 6 - a terrific animated movie that manages to be both charming and exciting

Big Hero 6 Poster

Big Hero 6

Certificate: PG

Voices of: Scott Adsit, Ryan Potter, Daniel Henney

Release date: 2014

4 out of 5

4

If you think Big Hero 6’s big white inflatable guy looks cute, wait till you see him in action – Baymax (for that is his name) may just be the cuddliest crime-fighter in movie history.

He’s the creation of technology whiz Tadashi, who has made Baymax as a device to diagnose illness, but he becomes so much more when Tadashi is killed and his younger brother Hiro discovers there is a mysterious villain causing chaos in his hometown of San Fransokyo (yep, a stunningly realised amalgamation of Tokyo and San Francisco) and he’s using one of Hiro’s own inventions, micro robots, to do it. With the help of his brother’s four best friends, and a modified Baymax complete with armour, it’s up to Hiro to stop the baddie and find out the truth about his brother’s death.

Based on a Marvel comic, this is more about Hiro’s loss and growing relationship with the round, adorable Baymax than it is about adventure. It’s heart-warming and funny as the two become pals, and their friendship is the best part of the movie, too, although kids will love the bright, brash action when it comes.

And while the baddie’s motivation is a bit odd, Hiro and his pals – who aren’t fully fleshed out, maybe we’ll learn more about them in a sequel – get some energetic, fun fight sequences with cool gadgets as they take him on. It all adds up to a terrific animated movie that manages to be both charming and exciting. A treat.

Is Big Hero 6 suitable for kids? Here are our parents’ notes...

Younger viewers (under-7s) may be upset that by the death of Hiro’s brother Tadashi. The bereavement is touched upon throughout the movie.

There are a few fight sequences between the bad guy and the heroes but no one is hurt.

Very young viewers may find the villain’s mini robots frightening when they swarm together.

The finale involves the death of another character that will upset young viewers (although – SPOILER – he does return!)

If you like this, why not try: Wreck-It Ralph, The Iron Giant, The Incredibles, Toy Story, Megamind,