Disney Pixar has one of the best track records for any movie studio with productions like “Up,” “Monsters Inc.” and “The Incredibles.” Even when it stumbles, it’s with class, making it seem like it never stumbled at all.

“Big Hero Six” (Rated PG; 108 min) is an addition to the line of terrific Pixar films.

“Big Hero Six” is an animated superhero movie directed by Don Hall and Chris Williams and stars Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, T.J Miller and James Cromwell.

Advertisement

Hiro Hamada, played by Potter, is a robotics genius. After graduating high school at the age of 13, he looks for anything to challenge him. His brother sees the drive and pushes him to apply at the local robotics college. Hiro impresses the dean of the college with his invention of the micro bots and gets permission to join the college.

Soon after, Hiro’s brother dies in a fire. He falls into a depression and realizes he has to find the man responsible for his brother’s death and bring him to justice. Using a robot his brother built and his brother’s former college friends, Hiro aims to fight the villain in a Kabuki mask and find whatever peace may come.

Disney Studio surprised the world in 2009 when it bought Marvel Entertainment and Lucas Films. Since then, it seemed to be placed into the role of film distributor for Marvel Entertainment. However, none of the movie’s storylines being put out by Marvel have any of Disney’s fingerprints on them.

“Big Hero Six” changes that. It is the first animated feature to have Marvel characters in it and takes keystones of both worlds.

This film has the sometimes soul-crushing emotional depth of all the great Pixar movies. The company has the ability to reach its audience on a level that no other animation studio is able to. Anyone looking for an example of this needs to watch the first part of “Up” and “Finding Nemo.” Tissues will be needed.

Beyond that, Pixar knows how to form character relationships and roles in a unique way. Whether it be the death of Hiro’s brother and his proceeding depression or his relationship with the robot named Baymax, played by Adsit, this film will hit you just as hard as the rest of the Pixar bunch.

This movie has its share of heartbreaking moments. Moments that will make tears flow like a river stream and bring even the toughest people down. Its moments are just as well developed and crafted as movies like “Up” and “Finding Nemo.”

Advertisement*

Adsit’s general performance is terrific. His performance of Baymax helps the relationship between him and Hiro becoming something special. Adsit is limited in his performance because Baymax is a robot. He is built for the purpose of being a nurse to help humans who are hurt.

Because of this, he cannot express emotion and must talk in one tone of voice. Yet, this does not hinder him. In the limited ways he can say things, Adsit still turns in a charming and heart-wrenching performance.

This film rarely falters, but there is one big example of a missed opportunity. Hiro and his brother’s parents are both dead before the beginning of the movie. It is talked about right at the beginning of the movie and then dropped after that.

This is a huge mistake. Not only do you miss using the character of Aunt Cassie, played by Maya Rudolph, but you miss adding another level of depth to the character of Hiro. It can give him more of a relationship with Cass or add another level of anger and depression inside him.

This movie is will entertain regardless of age. Even if you do not have children or do not know anyone with kids, go see this film. If you are looking for a good cry, this is the movie for you.

Stars: 4.5 out of 5