100 Greatest Superhero Stories Ever
By Steve Lam
Image Courtesy of Walt Disney Animation Studios
#28. Big Hero 6
Medium
Animated Feature Film
Release Dates
October 23, 2014 (Tokyo International Film Festival)
November 7, 2014 (United States)
Credits
Directors: Don Hall, Chris Williams
Writers: Jordan Roberts, Dan Gerson, Robert L. Baird
Cast: Scott Adsit as Baymax, Ryan Potter as Hiro Hamada, Daniel Henney as Tadashi Hamada, T.J. Miller as Fred, Jamie Chung as GoGo, Damon Wayans Jr. as Wasabi, Genesis Rodriquez as Honey Lemon, James Cromwell as Professor Robert Callaghan, Alan Tudyk as Alistair Krei, Maya Rudolph as Aunt Cass, Stan Lee as Fred’s Father, Katie Lowes as Abigail Callaghan, Daniel Gerson as Sergeant Gerson
The Reason It’s Great
“Tadashi is here.” Anyone who has seen Big Hero 6 knows exactly the subtext meaning of that phrase. It’s what made this action-packed, beautifully animated superhero film from Disney such a delight. Like all great stories, this film had a super (pun intended) strong emotional throughline.
Hiro Hamada is a 13-year-old genius who recently lost his older brother, Tadashi Hamada, in a fire. Unknowingly, one day, Hiro activates Tadashi’s inflatable medical robot, Baymax. Following a clue, Hiro soon learns that someone is doing something nefarious with his technology. To investigate further, Hiro creates a suit for himself and Baymax.
Hiro is later joined by Tadashi’s friends—Wasabi, GoGo, Honey Lemon, and Fred. Together, they learn that Tadashi’s former professor, Robert Callaghan, is after a tech magnate, Allistair Krei. Callaghan blames Krei for the disappearance of his test pilot daughter, Abigail Callaghan.
After traveling through a portal, Hiro and Baymax find Abigail, still hibernating in her pod. Without any thrust to get home, Baymax sacrifices himself to save Hiro and Abigail.
I can guarantee that there wasn’t a dry eye in the room when Hiro, for the last time, said, “I’m satisfied with my care.” Big Hero 6 may be a superhero film, but its themes about family and forgiveness make it more compelling than most serious dramas. On top of that, the post-credits scene with Stan Lee’s customary Marvel film cameo also makes this one of the most hilarious films ever made (his underwear philosophy is pure genious).