Big Hero 6, an animated feature from Disney opens in theaters nationwide today. But before you run off to see it, here are six things every parent should know about the movie:
1. What’s the movie about?
The movie takes place in San Fransokyo, either in the future or some alternate universe, it’s never really explained. Hiro, a hyperintelligent tween who likes building robots is the star of the film and he’s kind of lost, looking for a purpose in life. But not for long! Together with his robot, Baymax, Hiro and his incredibly geeky friends set out to solve a mystery and fight an evil supervillain in what ends up being a touching and very funny buddy film.
2. Will I like it?
I loved this movie. Loved, loved, loved it! It is easily one of the best animated features I have seen in a very long time and I can’t wait to see it again. The animation was incredible; I was blown away by the textures and all of the details in every scene. It is very, very funny and it checks all the emotional boxes for a Disney film. It makes you laugh and feel happy while building a bond with the characters, but you can’t get up from your seat without feeling sad a couple of times. Still, in the end, you walk away feeling really satisfied with a moving and action-packed story. Getting to enjoy this palette of emotions with your kids is what good Disney movies are about and Big Hero 6 does not disappoint.
I also liked that there was not only a positive message about science and robotics being really awesome, there was also a lesson that school can be a very cool place where you can go and really blossom and be your best. That’s not always a prominent message in the movies. Tack on the fact that all of the heroes in the movie are authentically geeky and this is a must-see movie for any reader of GeekDad.
3. Will my kids?
Almost without a doubt. Young kids will love the caring (and inflatable) Baymax, older kids will identify with the smarts and daring of Hiro and everyone will love the story. There are so many funny and charming moments, especially a special fist bump between Baymax and Hiro that immediately became the new family greeting in our house.
Most of the gags and jokes are perfectly aligned so that kids are laughing right along with adults and there is enough action to keep even the most jaded tween paying attention. (This comes from personal experience.) Plus, with any luck, it will challenge your kids to become more interested in robotics!
4. It it worth it to see it in 3D?
I am about as anti-3D as a person can be. I think, most of the time, 3D is a gimmick just to get more money out of my wallet; but the one application that 3D really works in is animation. I let out a little exasperated sigh when they handed me a pair of glasses to see this movie, but I ended up being really impressed. I think the 3D actually enhanced this movie and is well worth the upcharge.
5. When’s the best time to go to the bathroom?
The movie clocks in at an hour and 45 minutes so, if you have small kids with you (or a large drink) a bathroom break might be necessary. There are two times that are good for making a quick trip. The first is about 35 minutes in, just after the scene when a rainstorm ends. The second is after an hour and 10 minutes into the film, after Hiro and Baymax take a flight. But don’t dilly-dally; the show moves at a quick pace and you don’t want to miss much.
6. Do I need to stay after the credits?
Yes. There’s some cool animation that echoes scenes from the movie for a while and then all of the faster moving credits come on screen. After the last of the cast and crew and locations are mentioned, there’s one final scene (and credit) that every geek will surely get excited about!
6.1 Wait, I thought you said the list had just six things?
True, but this one isn’t technically about Big Hero 6: When you are making your plans to go, allow enough time to arrive on time. You don’t want to miss Feast, the animated short that shows at the beginning of the film. It’s a story about a man, his dog, romance, and food. And it is wonderfully and perfectly enjoyable.
I was thinking about taking my 3 year old daughter to see this but saw that the rating is PG in the US (it has a G in Canada so figured we’d probably be fine). Can you give any insight as to why the high rating?
I expect action but would you say there are any/many frightening scenes?
There is nothing overtly objectionable – no language or allusion to sex, drugs, or alcohol. The official reason is “some rude humor” and “action and peril”.
****Spoilers below****
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In addition to the intense action scenes and the conflict between the heroes and a supervillain, Hiro loses his brother in an explosion early on in the film. He struggles with this loss and that might be difficult for younger kids to process. Also, at the end of the film, Baymax sacrifices his robot life to save Hiro and another character. Everything turns out OK, but these two scenes may be tough to understand.
Wonderful. Thanks very much for the response.
I think she can manage action scenes (we’ve seen the Lego Movie, Boxtrolls etc) and, if not, I’ll be prepared. Hopefully we’ll check it out this weekend and I’ll report back!
Our 4 year old was mesmerized and didn’t have any trouble, and he is pretty sensitive to scary stuff.
Thanks! This was very helpful, I was wondering if I should take my kids. Now I know I should. Cheers!
I would also like to know why the movie has a PG rating; I’m debating taking my 4 year old son to see it.
…and for some reason I didn’t see Dave’s reply above before posting. Thanks!
Short answer: It has a PG because Baymax is going to make the kids cry like somebody broke their XBox.
You did not mention how sad it is! I cried like a baby… 2 deaths in a cartoon is too much. 🙁
My 3 year old loved it, but did get a little scared during the fight scenes with a pretty dark villian. But she came out of the movie happily fist-bumping 🙂
Yeah 3 and 5 year old girls were scared of the villain. And cried all the way home about baymax. Even though I tried explaining the end to them lol. Can someone tell me what happened after the credits? We left unaware there was more
I took my 3.5 year old boy to see it and he enjoyed it. He said multiple times “whoa” and turned to me more than once saying “this is awesome/cool.” After it was over i asked him if he like it and he said he didn’t. I asked him why, and his answer was just that he was confused about the bad guys and good guys showing traits of being not all good or not all bad (he didn’t say that verbatim, i just edited so no spoilers) I think it was a good opportunity for me to tell him that people in real life aren’t bad or good people, just regular people who make bad or good choices.
He also had a lingering question around the “death” in the film. While not presented in violent or graphic terms, death is implied. Just be prepared that you may need to talk about this subject with your kids as well.
What a great movie. My daughter, who was already predisposed to this kind of thing, was all jazzed about getting more into robot building.
I would LOVE for you guys to talk about a way to start introducing robots to younger kids (mine are 8-11 but whatever). Obviously there’s Mindstorms, but they are a pricey way to start ($350!). We have Little Bits, which are awesome but somewhat limited.
Try looking into Hexbug robots. They are incredibly well built, unbelievably affordable and educational.
Left after his only family died and his brother was lost, not suitable for kids under 4
The post-credits scene was cute, but since I knew that this is a Disney/Marvel movie, I was hoping for a cameo by a certain Disney/Pixar superhero team that has a new movie in development. [Which could build towards a big Animation Phase 1 cross-over]
I took two of my 5 kids…we all loved it…my 19 and 11 yr olds were cracking up. If This can entertain a 19 yr old, it’s a winner! Even my 22 yr old is excited about watching it this weekend. So glad my kids are older 🙂 no fidgeting
i took my 3 year old he loved it, i loved it, Feast made me cry. The movie was really cool
I was looking forward to this one, but my four year old screamed like crazy at the preview for some reason. I guess I’ll be that weird guy at the kids movie without a kid. Oh well.
So cute but might make you cry.
My kids loved it,as for mom bawling like a baby! Why do Disney’s movies have to be so sad! The science basis of the movie was awesome though.
My 4 yr old loved it and we loved watching him enjoy it. He loved the robot and tech elements to the characters. Did look a bit upset when two characters were implied to have died but no tears and was shortley afterwards sat up and glued to the screen.