Big Hero 6 PG

A film like Big Hero 6 has, on the surface, the potential to go disastrously wrong. It's based on a little-known comic book movie, has no well-known voice cast to speak of and is the first Marvel film to be animated and distributed by Disney.

Hiro Hamada (Ryan Potter) is a precocious young robotics genius who's over-stimulated and under-challenged. Resorting to illegal robot fighting to get his thrills, he's challenged by his older brother Tadashi (Daniel Henney) to enrol in his college. In order to be accepted into the prestigious college, Hiro must create a robot that can be studied and advanced further using the college.

However, a Fateful Accident™ finds Hiro confronted with realities a youngster shouldn't have to and becomes more withdrawn. That's until he finds Baymax (30 Rock's Scott Adsit), a nurse robot created by his brother who acts as a counsellor for young Hiro. Baymax's calm, measured tones and ability to fit into an armoured suit that Hiro designed means the young lad now has a purpose and a drive to find how who's behind the Fateful Accident™.

Joining him on this quest is GoGo Tomago (Jamie Chung), a head-strong feminist that's able to turn into a motorbike, Wasabi (Damon Wayans, Jr.), a neurotic clean-freak who's built like a tank, Honey Lemon (Genesis Rodriguez), a Manic Pixie Dream Girl scientist and finally slacker-comedy act Fred, voiced by Silicon Valley's TJ Miller.

While the story may be somewhat rote and by the numbers, Big Hero 6's strengths lie in its neatly paced, smartly directed action sequences. The film is on par with The Incredibles in that regard, mixing blockbuster aesthetics with a genuine sense of threat throughout. The film's villain, a Kabuki-masked mute, is suitably scary and the eventual reveal, though expected, works in the context of the plot.

The voice actors are well cast. By casting characters instead of household names, there's no distraction in trying to guess who's who - your attention is on the story and the action in front of you, rather than which "celeb" is phoning in the role. 

Hiro's arc is predictable, but it never feels like it's forced. The script is clever, never pushing an emotional scene beyond what's needed and using the action sequences to keep the pace of the film. Much like the Marvel movies from which it's spawned, the over-wrought final act gets a little stale with its wide-scale devastation. It's a minor complaint that, thankfully, doesn't detract from what comes before.

Overall, it's a well-made action adventure that's suitable for all ages. Expect there to be a raft of sequels to follow.