From the creators of “Wreck-It Ralph” and the billion dollar smash hit “Frozen” comes another animated adventure, Disney’s “Big Hero 6.” The story, based on a little-known comic from Marvel’s vaults, deals with five teens and a lovable, roly-poly robot who looks like a cross between the Pillsbury Doughboy and a giant rubber snowman. His name is Baymax and he not only steals your heart, he steals the movie as well as he is transformed from a medical healer to a super hero dressed in red spandex.
From the creators of “Wreck-It Ralph” and the billion dollar smash hit “Frozen” comes another animated adventure, Disney’s “Big Hero 6.” The story, based on a little-known comic from Marvel’s vaults, deals with five teens and a lovable, roly-poly robot who looks like a cross between the Pillsbury Doughboy and a giant rubber snowman. His name is Baymax and he not only steals your heart, he steals the movie as well as he is transformed from a medical healer to a super hero dressed in red spandex.
Baymax is the invention of Tadashi Hamada (Daniel Henney) , the older brother of 14-year-old whiz-kid Hiro (Ryan Potter). Hiro is a robotics genius who has already graduated with honors from high school. Unfortunately he is squandering his talents on creating gaming robots for use in illegal back-alley robotic fights to the finish. His hobby earns him money, but it also has the potential to get him into plenty of trouble.
To refocus his kid brother, Tadashi takes him to San Fransokyo Tech, a prestigious university for technical geniuses. Hiro is intrigued by the possibilities of studying there, but to gain admission he must first create something unusual and amazing in order to impress Professor Robert Callaghan (voiced by James Cromwell) and Hiro does.
Things turn dark when Hiro’s robotic invention is stolen following a mysterious fire. Who is behind the theft which has tragic consequences? Hiro is joined by fellow students from the university in an intense search for the sinister masked thief. They are aided in their quest by the gentle giant Baymax, a robot whose primary function has been to diagnose illnesses and prescribe medications and health care information. Baymax is a quick study and proves truly useful as he and the young heroes look for answers. To say more would spoil the surprises and the plot twists and turns that follow.
Like other Marvel super hero stories, there is plenty of fast action and adventure, but this time out there is also the loveable Baymax, an endearing, strong, yet gentle robot who brings warmth and comedy to the tale.
Screenwriters Robert L. Baird, Daniel Gerson and Jordan Roberts have embellished the original comic book story and directors Don Hall and Chris Williams have joined forces to create an adventure that will propel the viewer into a future world that is a blend of Tokyo and San Francisco.
The music is from the Fall Out Boy Band’s new track “Immortals” which is blended with composer Henry Jackman’s orchestral score to create a pop music background for the film. Rated PG for action and peril, some rude humor and thematic elements.
“Big Hero 6” is playing city wide and at the El Capitan Theatre, 6838 Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood. What is special about seeing the movie at the El Capitan is the added extras. The El Capitan presents Baymax, the lovable robot, live on stage plus an exhilarating “Laser Light Show” before every 3-D presentation of the movie.
The colorful light extravaganza will put you in the proper mood for this Marvel Comics inspired adventure set in the not too distant future. Bring your camera or iPad because you and the kids can take a photo with Baymax in the lobby. The theatre’s Disney store and Soda Fountain has plenty of toys and figures from the film on sale. Another plus is getting a free sample of Ghirardelli chocolate as you enter the soda fountain area. For tickets call 1-800-DISNEY6 or visit www.elcapitantickets.com.
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Fans of the Oscar nominated animated adventure “How To Train Your Dragon” won’t want to miss the next chapter in this epic trilogy. In the second part of the story, “How to Train Your Dragon II,” now available on Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD, Hiccup, the Viking and his amazing black dragon, Toothless discover a secret ice cave inhabited by countless varieties of dragons and a mysterious Dragon Rider.
Soon these two friends find themselves in an epic battle to save the future of man and dragons from an evil force determined to control the dragon population.
In the first installment we learned how Hiccup befriended Toothless. Their eventual bonding, which leads to an enduring friendship, was extremely touching. Then Hiccup had to convince his father that a dragon can be a friend and companion, not a force of evil and dread.
In this second story of the trilogy Hiccup, Toothless and the other young Vikings must band together to keep an evil force from destroying the bond between man and dragon. Part II is filled with plenty of action and countless varieties of dragons who come in all shapes, colors and sizes. From DreamWorks, rated PG for adventure action and some mild rude humor.
The Blu-ray comes with many bonus features that include: an all new adventure entitled “Dawn of the Dragon Racers,” deleted scenes, commentary, “Where No One Goes: The Making of How to Train Your Dragon II” and much, much more.
