Marvel’s Most Underrated Film: Big Hero 6
Throughout the pantheon of great Marvel adaptations, there have been few that have taken advantage of its medium, as human in its exploration of heroism, or as relatable and endearing as the most underrated adaptation to date, Big Hero 6.
2014 was an interesting year for Marvel and one that could be perceived as the real first step the studio took in establishing itself as the franchise-building behemoth that it currently is.
Source: Marvel Studios
The debut of Captain America The Winter Soldier gave the MCU one of the great critical successes of their run of films; with the film reintroducing a damaged Bucky, a commitment to action not seen in a Marvel project, and the first collaborative effort between Marvel and the Russo Brothers.
Not only was Captain America The Winter Soldier blazing a new trail in theaters, but Guardians of the Galaxy was also establishing a brand new reality for the MCU; bringing fans into the cosmic realm of the universe, to the boundless expanse that would await their adventure, and foreshadow their greatest foe.
Photo: Marvel Studios
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 was also released, marking the final time fans would see Andrew Garfield in the title role; until his reprisal seven years ago in the record-breaking Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Yet, for all of the transcendent achievements taking place that year, there was one that would go on to be perhaps Marvel’s most underrated film yet; Big Hero 6.
Source: Marvel/ Pixar
An animated adaptation of a fairly obscure comic book title, Big Hero 6 is, to this day, the only collaboration between Pixar and Marvel Studios; and was, without a doubt, one of the most endearing films Marvel has ever taken part in creating.
There is a humanity in Big Hero 6, a heartbeat, that instantly connects audiences with the plight of the main character, Hiro Hamada, and his journey to forming a superhero team along with his late brother’s best friends.
Source: Marvel
That patented Pixar magic was on full display within Big Hero 6, in combination with Marvel’s rich history of vibrant characters, it was a recipe for brilliance; although drifting far from the source material, it was the combination of the two that created the iconic film that fans got.
The characters and the narrative were enough to craft a beloved story for the ages, but it combined with the beautiful animation and imaginative world-building only added to the film’s greatness.
Source: Marvel/ Pixar
It may not have achieved the heights of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse in the form of its animative ingenuity and excellence, but it came fairly close.
It was a film that was first defined by its beauty; with San Fransokyo brilliantly lit and conceived, every character feeling equal parts unique and real, and the action sequences engulfed in the massive scale the film would aim to replicate.
SAN FRANSOKYO AT NIGHT – Pictured in concept art, the high-tech city of San Fransokyo is home to brilliant robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada and his team of first-time crime fighters in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ action comedy adventure “Big Hero 6”—in theaters in 3D on Nov. 7, 2014. ©2013 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
All of this is built on the foundation that every person understands in some form or fashion; the pain and tragedy of grief.
Hiro is all of us, attempting to be the best we can be amidst the impossible task of attempting to move forward in a world that has seemingly taken a piece of us.
Source: Marvel/ Pixar
Marvel has made bigger films, they’ve made more genre-defining films, and they’ve made films that have changed the very landscape of the box office; but it is clear, without a shadow of a doubt, that MArvels most underrated film is the brilliant Big Hero 6.
Source: Marvel/ Pixar
