The Year That Was: 2014 in Film

Check out ALL of the PDC end of year lists!

Review: Ava DuVernay's 'Selma'

Starring David Oyelowo

Review: Rob Marshall's 'Into The Woods'

Starring Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Anna Kendrick

Tim Burton's 'Big Eyes'

Starring Christoph Waltz and Amy Adams

Showing posts with label Big Hero 6. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Big Hero 6. Show all posts

Sunday, January 4, 2015

'The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies' Starts 2015 Off With a First Place Finish



1. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies- $21.9M/$220M
I've yet to fully understand the decision to split the one book of 'The Hobbit' into three movies..how am I kidding, of course I do....money. Personally I think it was a mistake and it shows. It's easy for us to sit in our suburban homes criticizing the sell-outs of Hollywood but let's be honest. If you have a property that you can stretch in to three 9 figure paydays as opposed to one are you really going to take the artistic route? Didn't think so.

2. Into the Woods- $19M/$91M
The silver screen adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim musical was all the rage amongst it's audience. Wondering if your in that audience? Do you have Once Upon a Time DVR'd? You're in that audience. Personally I found the film to be a bit more than a let down but it would appear that enough of you disagreed to keep it in the #2 spot.

3. Unbroken- $18.3M/$87.8M
The film's mantra of "If you make it, you can take it" must have wiggled into the real world as Angelina Jolie's story of an Olympic champion turned Japanese POW wills itself into the number three spot in it's second week of release.

4. The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death- $15.1M
The follow up to Daniel Radcliffe's first post-Potter outing failed to make a huge splash but at $15 million it's definitely a respectable take for a lower budget horror movie in the black hole that is early January.

5. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb- $14.4M/$89.7M
When you consider this is the fourth entry in the series and Ben Stiller is about 6 years past time as a "Hot" hollywood actor the $89.7M total take over three weeks is definitely respectable but given the ensamble (most of which are also past their Hollywood expiration date) and the lack of family friendly competition, it's not all that surprising. I'm just thankful that Robin Williams has another film coming out...I'd hate to see him go the way of Raul Julia who's final film was Street Fighter.

6. Annie $11.4M/$72.6M
Really? Annie hasn't broken the $100M mark after three weeks? I have to be honest this is one of the biggest surprises of the year for me. A time honored film updated with the adorable and talented Quvenzhané Wallis and it doesn't blow the Christmas competition away? I mean, come on!

7. The Imitation Game $8.1M/$30.8

8. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay- Part 1- $7.7M/$323.8M
Seven weeks later and Katniss Everdeen still holds a place in the top 10. I think it's safe to say that fandom for The Hunger Games isn't waning.

9. The Gambler- $6.3M/$27.5M
No records are being broken but Mark Whalbergs gamble on this oscar bait movie have paid off as it passes it's budget of $25 million this week. Whalburgers all around!

10. Big Hero 6- $4.8M/$211
Disney does it again as Baymax and company break back into the top ten showing the greatest staying power of the list with 9 total weeks in theaters, and a well deserved stay it is!

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

The Best Movie Duos of 2014: Rocket Raccoon and Groot, Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill, and More


This year of movies has seen its ups and downs. I'd like to think there have been more ups than downs, but I'd have to go through some sort of movie list to be sure. And with a slew of films under 2014's belt, there have definitely been a lot of characters we've seen vie for the screen. Some are memorable, most are really not, but the best characters usually come in pairs. 

Among my picks from last year were Theodore and Samantha from the critically acclaimed Her and Spock and Kirk from Star Trek Into Darkness, among many others. Now a new year has brought new duos to our screen. There was a lot to choose from and they most definitely don't disappoint. It was hard, but I've narrowed my list down to 6 this year (must be a thing), and in no particular order, you can check my picks for the best duos of 2014 below, gifs included! Do you agree with them? 




Groot and Rocket Raccoon (Voices of Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper, Guardians of the Galaxy) - Before this movie, the Guardians of the Galaxy didn't have as avast an audience as they do now, and while Chris Pratt is finally getting the recognition he deserves and Zoe Saldana is always excellent, the highlight characters from the film have to most definitely be Groot and Rocket Raccoon. Rocket is the badass spokesperson and Groot is the loving manpower. Wouldn't it be fun if they made an origin story film about these two? I'd definitely watch. And how can a raccoon and a tree be best friends, you ask? Well, apparently, Marvel can sell anything, can't they?



--



Maggie and Milo Dean (Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader, The Skeleton Twins) - If there was ever a more dysfunctional set of twins, it's Maggie and Milo Dean. They're both unhappy with their lives, depressed, and have a ton of other personal issues with themselves and each other, but one thing that is never in question is how much they love and care for each other. For proof, please entertain yourself with these lovely gifs!





--



Amy and Nick Dunne (Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck, Gone Girl) - These two make up what is probably the craziest and most dangerous duo on this list. One is completely insane, and the other is an asshole who just doesn't seem to care that he's being accused of his wife's murder. Apart, their actions are questionable, together they're, well, the most dangerous and demented couple ever. 



--



Cage and Rita (Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt, The Edge of Tomorrow) - Probably one of the most underrated and overlooked action film of the year, Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt prove that they're an action team powerhouse in this film. Rita is rough around the edges and Cage initially tries to save his ass at all costs, but an unlikely situation draws them together. And, hey, a pair that fights together, and subsequently keep dying only to find each other again (even if one doesn't remember the other), stays together, am I right?


--



Jenko and Schmidt (Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill, 22 Jump Street) - You know, comedy sequels are hard. But not for the 21 Jump Street series. They knew what they had was worth millions in laughs and they ran with it. The sequel even pokes fun of sequels, but most importantly, it reunites Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill as Jenko and Schmidt. These two are the duo you probably never thought you'd actually see or hell, even enjoy, but the mixture of personalities definitely makes watching their antics that much more entertaining. 



--


Baymax and Hiro (Voices of Scott Adsit and Ryan Potter, Big Hero 6) -- An animation on the list! This film is probably in the top 3 animations of the year and at its core is the friendship between the cute, fluffy, medical caretaker and a genius kid who's angry and lost in the world. Their relationship is sweet and full of great moments. Hiro grows and learns in Baymax's care, and Baymax provides a support and loyaly for Hiro to lean on. 

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Box Office: 'Exodus' Leads the Way with $24.5M; 'Top Five' Cracks the Top Five


1. Exodus: Gods and Kings- $24.5M
Ridley Scott's expensive Biblical epic, the one with all the Aussie and British actors, got off to a middling start with $24.5M, but it was enough to lead a weak box office. To put that into context, it's nearly $20M less than what Darren Aronofsky's Noah did at the early part of the year, and is just short of the small-budget Son of God's $25.6M. Scott was adamant that casting big names such as Christian Bale and Ben Kingsley were necessary to get the film made, and we're seeing that pay off in the international numbers. Add another $32M overseas and the $57M total doesn't seem so bad.
2. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay part 1- $13.2M/$277.3M
3. Penguins of Madagascar- $7.3M/$58.8M
4. Top Five- $7.2M
Notice how Chris Rock has been all over the news lately? How every word he says on race or politics is getting plastered everywhere? It's not random; he's got a movie to promote. That would be Top Five, which has been blanketed by amazing reviews (including mine) and some solid awards buzz, even if Paramount hasn't done much to hype the celebrity comedy. And all of Rock's self-promotion has worked because it debuted with $7.2M on only 979 screens, giving it the highest per site average in the top 10. Not too shabby, and being so high on the charts is its own promotion for a film titled Top Five, right?
5. Big Hero 6- $6.1M/$185.3M
6. Interstellar- $5.5M/$166.8M
7. Horrible Bosses 2- $4.6M/$43.6M
8. Dumb and Dumber To- $2.7M/$82.1M
9. The Theory of Everything- $2.5M/$17.1M
10. Wild- $1.5M/$2.4M
Fresh off a Golden Globes nominations for Reese Witherspoon, the hiking drama Wild expanded to 113 theaters in its second week and earned a respectable $1.5M. Expect this one to have pretty long legs (no pun intended) as we get closer to Oscars announcements.

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Box Office: 'Mockingjay' Holds Steady at #1 Over Slow Weekend



1. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay part 1- $21.6M/$257.7M
The post-Thanksgiving weekend is generally one of the slowest of the year and this was no different. Mockingjay held on to #1 for the third straight week in the face of absolutely zero competition. Soon it will move into the #2 highest-grossing domestic movies of 2014, surpassing both The Lego Movie and Captain America: The Winter Soldier, but it has a long way to go to match Guardians of the Galaxy's $331M. Worldwide, the Jennifer Lawrence-led film has earned $560M.
2. Penguins of Madagascar- $11.1M/$49.5M
Dreamworks' animated spinoff Penguins of Madagascar tumbled 56% in its second weekend, well off the pace of the proper Madagascar movies. It may be feeling the effects of the continued strong showings of Disney's Big Hero 6, which was better reviewed and of course has that whole superhero thing going for it.
3. Horrible Bosses 2- $8.6M/$36M
Not even going to come close to matching its predecessor, Horrible Bosses 2 slid a respectable 44%, but still only has $36M domestic, $47M worldwide. By now the first film had earned $60M on its way to $209M. Maybe a spinoff of Jennifer Aniston's deliciously raunchy character is in order? I'd pay to see that, and I bet so would most people.
4. Big Hero 6- $8.1M/$177.5M
5. Interstellar- $8M/$158.6M
6. Dumb and Dumber To- $4.1M/$78M
7. The Theory of Everything- $2.6M/$13.6M
8. Gone Girl- $1.5M/$162.8M
9. The Pyramid- $1.3M
The only new semi-large release of the week is a film you probably never heard of and clearly didn't go see. The Pyramid is just another cheapie found footage horror flick with no marketable stars (although Ashley Hinshaw is pretty awesome), no press screenings, no buzz, and few positive reviews. Even by the meager standards set by the genre a $1.3M debut is pretty sad.
10. Birdman- $1.1M/$18.9M

Released on only 21 screens but nabbing an impressive $30K per site for a $630K total was the Reese Witherspoon walkabout drama, Wild. This one has plenty of awards buzz for her and director Jean-Marc Vallee (Dallas Buyers Club), so that probably led to the high numbers and bodes well for a larger expansion.

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Box Office: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt.1 Continues to Dominate!



1. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt. 1- $56.8M/$225.6M
Well, things aren't looking good for The Hunger Games being able to finish it's saga. I mean with pathetic box office returns like this it's unlikely they'll release part 2. For the sarcastically impaired among you I'll go ahead and point out that, obviously, I'm joking. Katniss Everdeen continues to obliterate the box office taking number 1 for the second week in a row bringing their total to an impressive $225 million!

2. Penguins of Madagascar- $25.8M
Coming in second is Penguins of Madagascar, the spin-off from the oddly popular Madagascar movies. I only say oddly because they always seemed second rate to me, yet kept putting out sequel after sequel. $25 million for the only new kids release over a holiday weekend isn't exactly stellar so it's possible that this where the story ends, though the staying power of Big Hero 6 could have cut into it's profits. Speaking of....

3. Big Hero 6- $18.7M/$167.2M
Staying in the top 3 on its fourth week of release, the Disney/Marvel animated adventure is a certified hit.

4. Interstellar- $15.8M/$147M
Staying just behind Big Hero 6 as it has done since release is Interstellar. One has to wonder if Chris Nolan's ego has taken a hit. Nah, who am I kidding.

5. Horrible Bosses 2- $15.7M/$23M
Negative reviews and a shared demographic audience with The Hunger Games no doubt hurt the follow-up to the surprise hit Horrible Bosses. With the crowded weeks leading up to Christmas and less money being spent at theaters it's unlikely that the numbers get any better for this one.

6. Dumb and Dumber To- $8.2M/$72.9M

7. The Theory of Everything- $5M/$9.6M
An almost 700 theater expansion helps knock the critically acclaimed story of Jane and Stephen Hawking into the top 10. It's $5 million dollar take is quite impressive considering that, even after the expansion, the film is still only showing in 802 theaters (average for a wide release is between 2,500 and 3,000)

8. Gone Girl- $2.4M/$160.7M

9. Birdman- $1.8/$17.2M
Word of mouth is apparently helping Michael Keaton's critically lauded Birdman as it enjoyed a 1.4% increase in ticket sales while showing in 142 less theaters.

10. St. Vincent- $1.7M/$39.3M


Sunday, November 23, 2014

Box Office: 'Mockingjay' Hits a Bullseye with $275M Worldwide Debut



1. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay part 1- $123M
It may have become a bit too easy to brush off The Hunger Games as just another YA franchise, but those who do are missing the historical significance of what it is accomplishing. The third film Mockingjay, the first of the two-part finale, opened this weekend with $123M. Now while that's lower than the $152M of The Hunger Games and the $158M of 'Catching Fire', the amazing thing is that we're talking about three $100M+ debuts in a row. No other franchise in history has accomplished that, which is pretty amazing. To show just how wide and deep the audience for these movies is, Mockingjay blew up overseas with an additional $152M giving it $275M globally. With a start like that we could be looking at the one film left on the calendar with a shot at surpassing Guardians of the Galaxy.
2. Big Hero 6- $20M/$135.7M
3. Interstellar- $15.1M/$120.6M
4. Dumb and Dumber To- $13.8M/$57.4M
Nostalgia can only stretch so far, and in the case of Dumb and Dumber To it couldn't go beyond the first weekend. The Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels reunion slid 61% and out of first place with $13.8M.
5. Gone Girl- $2.8M/$156.8M
6. Beyond the Lights- $2.6M/$10.1M
7. St. Vincent- $2.3M/$36.6M
8. Fury- $1.9M/$79.1M
9. Birdman- $1.8M/$14.4M
10. Nightcrawler- $1.2M/$27.1M

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Box Office: 'Dumb and Dumber To' Wisens Up to #1 with $38M



1. Dumb and Dumber To- $38.3M
Apparently there was a much stronger contingent of Dumb and Dumber fans than many thought, proving that Universal were the smart ones for going ahead with a sequel 20 years after the fact.  Dumb and Dumber To opened with a robust $38.3M, easily outpacing what many were projecting. The film reunites Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels as the moronic Harry and Lloyd, and it's interesting to see where both actors are at this stage of their careers. It could be argued they are in opposing places, actually, with Daniels a top dog on The Newsroom and Carrey kind of floundering lately. This is the best opening Carrey has had in years, not since Bruce Almighty in 2003. But this will no doubt give Universal all the ammo they need to push ahead on a third 'Dumber' film if the actors are interested, and of course if the Farrelly Brothers can be convinced to return.
2.Big Hero 6- $36M/$111.6M
Disney's animated superhero film Big Hero 6 held extremely well, slipping only 35% for another $36M. Showing some international might, also, the film has earned $148M worldwide.
3. Interstellar- $29.1M/$97.8M
Also boasting big numbers is Christopher Nolan's Interstellar, which has nearly cracked $100M after two weeks. Worldwide it's doing even better, amassing $233M overall for the $165M feature.
4. Beyond the Lights- $6.5M
Opening in 1700 theaters and off to a good start is Beyond the Lights, from Love & Basketball director Gina Prince-Bythewood. One can't overstate how much a certain segment of people adore Prince-Bythewood's work, and those who waited anxiously for her to release another African-American led romance obviously turned out. Set against the backdrop of the music industry, the film features rising stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Nate Parker.
5. Gone Girl- $4.6M/$152.6M
6. St. Vincent- $4M/$33.2M
7. Fury- $3.8M/$75.9M
8. Nightcrawler- $3.03M/$25M
9. Ouija- $3.02M/$48.1M
10. Birdman- $2.4M/$11.5M

Jon Stewart's directorial debut Rosewater opened in semi-wide release with $1.2M, pretty middling for a film largely fronted by The Daily Show host.

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Box Office: 'Big Hero 6' Squeaks by 'Interstellar' to Take the #1 Spot for the Weekend!



1. Big Hero 6- $56.6M
I didn't think there was a chance in hell that big bad Christopher "Blockbuster" Nolan could be beaten by this doughy fella you see above, alas, that's just what happened. Never underestimate the marketplace power of the 5-12 crowd Hollywood. I really shouldn't be surprised though, great reviews, a herculean marketing campaign and the power of Marvel...especially when combined with Disney is enough to get any movie to the top!

2. Interstellar- $50M
At the risk of a bad pun the $50M take for Interstellar is less than stellar. While respectable for any other film, this is a movie helmed by the biggest director working and starring some of the biggest names in the business today. When you factor in that the theatrical run is being benefited by the higher ticket price of an IMAX theater, you are left with a film that is, possibly severely, under-performing.

3. Gone Girl- $6.1M/$145.4M
Six million in the sixth week of release for a third place finish and a $145 million dollar total. Not bad Bat-fleck, not bad.

4. Ouija- $6M/$43.4M
Meanwhile almost as many people saw Ouija as saw Gone Girl a full week AFTER Halloween. There's no excuse now. Very bad America, very bad.

5. St. Vincent- $5.7M/$27.3M
Bill Murray's latest holds steady at #5 despite less than top notches in the review sector  bringing it to a very respectable $27M grand total.

6. Nightcrawler- $5.512M/$19.7M
The critically acclaimed creep-fest starring Jake Gyllenhaal suffered the second biggest drop of the weekend falling 47% and falling just short of the $20M mark all time.

7. Fury- $5.5M/$69.2M
The number seven spot belongs to the most intense film of fall, Fury, which manages to move past it's $68 million dollar budget this week with a grand total of $69M.

8. John Wick- $4M/$34.7M
The biggest drop of the week belongs to John Wick falling to number 8. Don't cry for Keanu just yet Argentina, this weekends total moves the film to a very profitable $34 million dollars on it's modest $20 million budget.

9. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day- $3.4M/$59.2M
Thank God this film is almost out of the top 10. Not that I didn't like the movie, I'm just really tired of typing the title. Alexander managed to double it's budget this weekend as their grand total moves just south of $60M. Surprising that this movie held on to a spot in this list considering Big Hero 6 took most of its audience, I would imagine.

10. The Book of Life- $2.8M/$45.2M

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Review: Disney's 'Big Hero 6'


It's been said many times, and even mocked by Saturday Night Live, that Marvel can basically turn anything into a box office smash. The top-grossing movie of the year is Guardians of the Galaxy, for chrissakes, based on a comic book practically nobody read and less had heard of.  When Marvel and Disney essentially merged, it brought on a new challenge in territory that had yet to be conquered: animation. Big Hero 6 is the first Disney animated feature based on a Marvel property, and it's both the strangest choice and the perfect one. Blending super-powered heroics with kid-friendly action and an ethnically-diverse cast, Big Hero 6 has something for everybody to love.

Big Hero 6 is based on a super obscure manga-influenced miniseries from years ago; so obscure it makes the Guardians of the Galaxy look like the X-men. While Disney has made some significant changes in the transition to the screen, honoring its Japanese roots certainly hasn't been lost. Shedding the typical Disney homogenization and honoring a merger of many different cultures, it's safe to say this is one of the best looking Disney animated films ever made, certainly unlike anything in their vast catalog of classics. Set in San Fransokyo, a futuristic combination of San Francisco and Tokyo, a gorgeous blend of new and old world charms, the story centers on robotics genius Hiro Hamada (Ryan Potter) and his equally brainy older brother Tadashi (Daniel Henney). Orphaned at a young age, the two now live with their eager aunt (Maya Rudolph), using their intellect in very different ways. While Tadashi studies at a prestigious university, Hiro builds robots and earns money fighting them in underground tournaments. Sensing his little bro may be on the wrong path, Tadashi brings him to the school where Hiro is blown away by the awesome stuff being built by the other geeks: the spunky racer Go-Go (Jamie Chung) Wasabi (Damon Wayans Jr) the laser enthusiast; Honey Lemon (Genesis Rodriguez) is a chemistry expert; and Fred (TJ Miller) is basically Shaggy minus his Scooby-Doo companion.

The character that is sure to become a phenomenon in his own right is the lovable, cherubic Baymax (Scott Adsit). Basically a giant stuffed balloon robot, Baymax is pretty much impossible to resist. Designed by Tadashi as a nurse robot, Baymax is clumsy, lumbering, and helpful to a fault. When tragedy strikes the university and Tadashi is killed, he becomes an outlet for Hiro's grief and a willing companion. Somebody out there caused the explosion that got Tadashi killed, it’s up to Hiro, Baymax, and his newly souped-up nerd pals to uncover the truth.  Basically, Big Hero 6 is a classic superhero origin story, one alive with energy, humor, and even a few dark turns. It actually works best as Hiro and his pals are hanging out, joking, and using their intellect to design their wondrous powers, and it's so much fun that we almost forget there's a bad guy out there to be caught.

While there are plenty of laughs to be found, mostly through the constantly-bumbling Baymax, there's also a serious journey of self-discovery that Hiro must endure. Learning to cope with loss, making new friends, and using his genius for good are all lessons Hiro must learn, but there are plenty more that the story merely touches upon. In fact there are too many messages the screenplay wants to get across, throwing them at us a mile a minute. It's a distraction from what we truly want to see more of and that's the relationship between Hiro and Baymax. Threatening for a while to become a pet/master situation, Baymax's ever-present connection to Tadashi becomes an emotional touchstone, one that never fades away through the robot's silly antics. As a healing robot it's his programming to help Hiro through his brother's death, but in a way he becomes a surrogate sibling. Its touching stuff, some of the most emotional Disney has ever dared in a film geared at young audiences. I dare you not to shed a tear when Baymax asks if Hiro is satisfied with his care.

Directed by Don Hall, who gave us the excellent Winnie the Pooh a couple of years ago, and Chris Williams (Bolt), Big Hero 6 looks amazing. A merging of Eastern and Western influences, San Fransokyo is both fascinating and a little bit scary, with new wondrous discoveries to be made around every corner. When Baymax gets his new winged battle armor, he and Hiro embark on a soaring test flight that actually surpasses anything we saw in How to Train Your Dragon. Unfortunately, his new armor also signals a turn away from the character work that was so enjoyable and an emphasis on standard superhero action. There's nothing technically wrong with any of it, but nor is it especially inspired. We just really want to watch Baymax try to squeeze his fat body in and out of tight spaces, or patch up holes with duct tape, or learn how to fist bump. Can we get more of that please? No seriously, can we get more of Big Hero 6? There's so much to adore here that a sequel is an absolute must.  It's another big victory for Disney and Marvel, and to think this is just scratching the surface of their potential. Yes, Big Hero 6, I am more than satisfied with my care.

 Rating: 4 out of 5

Monday, October 27, 2014

See Disney's 'Big Hero 6' Tomorrow!



Marvel and Disney are teaming up like never before with Big Hero 6! Inspired by the Marvel Comic, Big Hero 6 is an animated adventure set in futuristic San Fransokyo where robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada and his loyal robot sidekick Baymax join forces with fellow crime fighters to save their city from a kabuki-masked villain!

We're offering our readers a chance to experience Big Hero 6 early by attending a free advance screening, held TOMORROW October 28th at AMC Mazza at 7:30pm. If you'd like to attend, simply go to the See It First site here and enter this code: 538580

Remember, passes are first come first served and having them does not guarantee entry. These will go fast so get yours now! Big Hero 6 features the voices of Maya Rudolph, TJ Miller, Genesis Rodriguez, Jamie Chung, Alan Tudyk, Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, and Daniel Henney, opening in theaters on November 7th. 

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Check Out the 'Big Hero 6' NYCC Trailer!


Disney has been incredibly smart in their promotion of their animated film, Big Hero 6. While it may be based on the obscure Marvel comic, you'd barely know it based on the footage shown so far, as the film is clearly being geared to younger audiences through the puffy robot character, Baymax. But this is a superhero film with plenty of action to be found, and it's on display in this new trailer straight from NYCC.

The best part about this footage is how it captures the vibrancy and expanse of futuristic San Fransokyo, where everything seems to move a mile a minute. The CGI is gorgeous, the characters are colorful, and even the kabuki-masked villain appears to be a legitimate threat to robotics genius, Hiro Hamada. Here's the official synopsis:

From Walt Disney Animation Studios, the team behind “Frozen” and “Wreck-It Ralph,” comes “Big Hero 6,” an action-packed comedy-adventure about the special bond that develops between Baymax (voice of Scott Adsit), a plus-sized inflatable robot, and prodigy Hiro Hamada (voice of Ryan Potter). When a devastating event befalls the city of San Fransokyo and catapults Hiro into the midst of danger, he turns to Baymax and his close friends adrenaline junkie Go Go Tomago (voice of Jamie Chung), neatnik Wasabi (voice of Damon Wayans Jr.), chemistry whiz Honey Lemon (voice of Genesis Rodriguez) and fanboy Fred (voice of T.J. Miller). Determined to uncover the mystery, Hiro transforms his friends into a band of high-tech heroes called “Big Hero 6.” Inspired by the Marvel comics of the same name, and featuring breathtaking action with all the heart and humor audiences expect from Walt Disney Animation Studios, “Big Hero 6” is directed by Don Hall (“Winnie the Pooh”) and Chris Williams (“Bolt”), and produced by Roy Conli (“Tangled”). The film hits theaters in 3D on Nov. 7, 2014.

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Check Out Baymax's Tragic Origin in New Trailer for Disney's 'Big Hero 6'



Disney is going to be pulling at your heartstrings later this year with Big Hero 6, the animated film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team. Most of the trailers we've seen for it up to this point have focuses on the mix of action and comedy, highlighting the bond between between boy genius Hiro Hamada and his inflatable robot pal, Baymax. But now we get a look at why Hiro feels such a connection with Baymax and it may have you shedding a few tears.

Presented as a team of nerds, Big Hero 6 consists of Hiro, Baymax, Honey Lemon, Fred, Wasabi, and Gogo Tomago who come together to defend the futuristic city of San Fransokyo from a kabuki-masked villain. It's our first real look at the entire team in action, but the focus is squarely on the clumsy Baymax who Disney clearly see big merchandising dollars in. The Baymax action figures were flying off the shelves at Comic-Con earlier this year.

Genesis Rodriguez, James Cromwell, Damon Wayans Jr., Jamie Chung, Alan Tudyk, T.J. Miller, Maya Rudolph, Ryan Potter, and Scott Adsit lend their voices to Big Hero 6, which opens on November 7th.


Big Hero 6 - Trailer #2 [VO|HD] by addictomovie

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

New Clip from Disney Animation's (Not Marvel's) 'Big Hero 6'



The last few days nearly all of the attention on Big Hero 6 has focused on what Marvel ISN'T doing for the film. The comics publisher isn't putting forth their usual effort in promoting the animated action movie, their first collaboration with Walt Disney Animation. Typically when a Marvel superhero movie comes out there will be tons of comics and promos (such as a new Rocket Raccoon comic ahead of Guardians of the Galaxy), but that's not happening this time and it has to do with the two studios basically agreeing that the Big Hero 6 depicted in the film is not the same as their printed counterparts. Say what? Here's what Marvel editor Axel Alonso said when asked about it...

Alonso: "The characters and stories that have appeared in our comics are very different from what they are in the film. Releasing material that would be viewed as movie tie-in product would be a disservice to filmgoers. We wanted the Disney folks to be able to create their own unique style and story, unencumbered by those older stories."

Whatever, man. Same team, same name, same characters with a few minor alterations. But if you've noticed, Marvel has been left out of marketing for the family-friendly superhero movie. In other words, don't expect there to be any crossover between the Big Hero 6 kids and your favorite Avengers any time soon. And if this is the route Disney has chosen to take they picked the perfect characters to do it with because nobody has heard of them, anyway. Regardless, the movie is still coming to theaters on November 7th and now here is a brand new 2-minute clip.

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Geek Goodies: Big Hero 6 Pop! Vinyl Action Figures


The Marvel Universe is getting animated on the big screen with Disney's Big Hero 6, and now you can bring young Hiro Hamada, his bouncy robot buddy Baymax, and the rest of the high-tech team home. Those awesome folks at Funko have given Big Hero 6 the Pop! Vinyl treatment, and now you can pre-order the entire team now from our friends at Entertainment Earth. You'll get the best deal anywhere on the Internet, with most of the figures going for only $9.99, and the special-edition Baymax figures for $14.99. Don't miss out on Marvel's next great super squad. Order your Big Hero 6 Pop! Vinyl action figures below!

We appreciate the support you continue to show our sponsors. Punch Drunk Critics earns a small fee every time one of our readers buys from any of our links.


Order Big Hero 6 Hiro Hamada Pop! Vinyl Figure from Entertainment Earth!


Order Big Hero 6 Pearlescent Baymax 6-Inch Pop! Vinyl Figure from Entertainment Earth!

 

Order Big Hero 6 Baymax Pop! Vinyl Figure from Entertainment Earth!

 
Order Big Hero 6 Honey Lemon Pop! Vinyl Figure from Entertainment Earth!

 
Order Big Hero 6 Go Go Tomago Pop! Vinyl Figure from Entertainment Earth!

 
Order Big Hero 6 Wasabi No-Ginger Pop! Vinyl Figure from Entertainment Earth!

 
Order Big Hero 6 Fred Pop! Vinyl Figure from Entertainment Earth!

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

First TV Spot, New Trailer, and Full Voice Cast for Disney's 'Big Hero 6'



Although we've seen trailers and promos for Disney's animated Marvel Comics film, Big Hero 6, very little of the characters' voices have been heard. The only confirmed voice casting up until now had been TJ Miller (currently seen in Transformers: Age of Extinction), Maya Rudolph, and Jamie Chung (Sin City: A Dame to Kill For), but now we have the full rundown along with a new trailer and TV spot for the superhero 'toon.

Teenaged martial artist Ryan Potter of Nickelodeon's Supah Ninjas will voice robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada; his robotic pal Baymax will be played by 30 Rock's Scott Adsit; Damon Wayans Jr. (New Girl) voices Wasabi No-Ginger; and Genesis Rodriguez (Casa De Mi Padre) is Honey Lemon. Miller is voicing Fred aka Fredzilla, Chung is Go Go Tomago, while Rudolph is Aunt Cass. Also coming aboard are James Cromwell, Firefly's Alan Tudyk, and Daniel Henney (Shanghai Calling)  in supporting roles.

Big Hero 6 opens November 7th. Check out the new TV spot, a Baymax promo, and some new images below.

Big Hero 6 Trailer #3 by itsartmag

Big Hero 6 - Spot TV #1 [VO|HD] by Team Lyricis


Big Hero 6 Official Viral Video - Meet Baymax! (2014) by Teaser-Trailer.com