Big Hero 6!

Move aside Olaf, there's a new guy in town (who happens to also be white and love hugs!).

He is none other than Baymax, the adorable inflatable robot who is the star of Disney's latest offering for the holidays -- Big Hero 6.

We were privileged to be able to be among the first to catch the movie here in Singapore at Filmgarde Bugis+ over the weekend and this movie was a hit with both the kids and adults alike. I shouldn't have been surprised though, considering that this film was created by the same folks who were behind Wreck-It Ralph and Frozen. Talk about pedigree huh! 

I must admit that I hadn't the faintest idea what Big Hero 6 was about before stepping into the theatre but if you would like to know a bit about the movie, here's a quick introduction:

The protagonist of the story is Hiro Hamada, a 14-year old robotics prodigy who, after graduating early from high school, idles his time away participating in illegal bot fights. Unwilling to see him waste his life away in this manner, Hiro's older brother Tadashi Hamada tries to get Hiro to enrol for University in the same robotics programme that Tadashi is in. He brings Hiro to his robotics lab and introduces Hiro to his friends as well as Tadashi's latest project -- Baymax, a robotic personal healthcare assistant. Hiro is inspired and starts his own project to gain admission to the robotics programme. His project is a huge hit but alas, tragedy strikes. As a dangerous plot unfolds, Hiro and Baymax strike up an unlikely friendship, and together with the other self-proclaimed nerds adrenaline junkie Go Go Tamago, neatnik Wasabi, chemistry whiz Honey Lemon and fanboy Fred, this motley crew of six find themselves having to assume the roles of superheroes to save the town of San Fransokyo from the forces of evil. 

Here's a quick sneak peek:

The storyline is straight-forward enough, but the film shines through on several counts. First there are the stunning visuals. We watched the film in 3D and swooping around with Baymax during the flying scenes was quite a treat! San Fransokyo borrows many elements from the famous cities of San Francisco and Tokyo that are used to good effect for the story. From the trams to the undulating terrain to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, these helped to make backdrop recognisable despite the fact that the story was set in a fictious city.

But what makes this film a gem is the delicate balance it strikes between pain and empowerment, with the deft use of humour that does not detract from the underlying grief. There were plenty of moments where I laughed-out-loud and and similarly those that moved me to tears.

And of course, there's Baymax, surely the breakout star of the season! Cute and cuddly, I'm sure everyone will want to bring him home! Credit again to the scriptwriters and Scott Adsit who voiced the loveable robot for making him comforting without being patronising, compassionate without being cloying.

Big Hero 6 is one of Disney's best shows in recent times. Don't miss it when it opens in cinemas this Thursday, 13 Nov! For more information, do check out the Walt Disney Studios Facebook Page. As part of the promotions for this movie, there are interesting Baymax creation by celebrities and NAFA students on display at Bugis Junction till 24th November.

(Get your own Baymax Photobomb here!)

*We thank Disney Studios SG for the invitation to catch this preview. All opinions remain, as always, our own.