Big Hero 6 (2014), PG, ★★★

Hiro and Baymax.

Disney has taken over the Marvel Universe in a big way and ever since The Avengers, it's been mostly more hits than misses. I think that Disney really sold itself quite positively not because of more money, but also to target mostly the family audience and will be superbly fun. For example, Guardians of the Galaxy came out of nowhere for me because their tone was mixed and jumbled that I came out of that film with a smile on my face thinking that I had a great time with that film. Now, with this movie, which in itself turned the result into an animated Disney feature, it is an entertaining film all on its own.

In the city of San Fransokyo, people gather around in an alley for a bot fight. 14-year-old boy Hiro Hamada (voiced by Ryan Potter) pays his entry and enters the ring with a tiny robot that everybody makes fun of. After two fights, Hiro's bot defeats Yama's bot and he sends his goons after him until Hiro's brother, Tadashi (voiced by Daniel Tanney) rescues him but they both get arrested because of gambling in the alley.

After they both get bailed out by their Aunt Cass (voiced by Maya Rudolph), she is upset and she has been taking care of them for 10 years since both of their parents passed away (Yeah, always in a Disney movie, the parents have to die.) Tadashi asks Hiro what he is going to do with his life since he has graduated at the age of 13 from high school, he does not know. They both go to the Tech College where Hiro is introduced to Go Go Tomago (voiced by Jamie Chung), Wasabi (voiced by Damon Wayans, Jr.), Honey Lemon (voiced by Genesis Rodriguez), and Fred (voiced by TJ Miller).

Tadashi takes Hiro into a room where duct tape is on his forearm and when he removes and yells in pain, it actives Baymax (voiced by Scott Adsit), a health care robot. When Hiro says he is satisfied, Baymax is deactivated. When Tadashi's professor, Professor Callaghan (voiced by James Cromwell), Hiro is inspired and wants to have the chance to get into the college by impressing him with an invention. He undoubtedly gets in but some tragedy interferes and a villain is introduced who is Alistair Krei who started an incident at the college to steal Hiro's inventions.

He's in the college now. Woo-hoo!

This is a well-written, vibrant film that is joyful and entertaining to watch to see all these characters go navigating through the obstacles as amateurs. I'll go ahead and say that this in an origin story to how the group became Big Hero 6. Despite a predictable narrative, it's just the chemistry between all of the characters that makes the movie click. It is full of action, colors, and duplicity that somehow I did not quite feel that this was a major Disney breakthrough for the animated company. Sure, they have come back in a big way, but, there's not really a memorable villain or memorable supporting characters to go with it.

The major reason I liked this film is Baymax. The robot is funny and cute simultaneously and has wonderful chemistry with Hiro: it is essentially "a boy and his dog" story but substitute the dog for a robot. At times, it almost felt like an animated "Blade Runner" as they created their own San Francisco with technical adjustments like the Ridley Scott film. Kids will dig this movie and have a great time. And, adults will not be bored. I was not bored by the entire ride. This is a fun animated Disney film.

***