The plot is standard and predictable - angst-ridden/confused/misunderstood young teen, adults too busy with their own drama, an absent-minded scientist, a megalomaniac antagonist with a duplicitous facade, a robot that tries too hard... All ingredients are present, no problem.
Big Hero 6 worked well because of a decent plot, characters that we could identify with and some fantastic animation. In this film, the animation is impressive. The voice cast isn't too shabby either. But all that good work has been badly let down by atrocious character development. The main robot lacks charisma. The comedic robots are too slapstick-y. The human characters don't stand apart from their mechanical counterparts and that is saying something. But it's astonishing how deeply flawed the main lead is. She hates being bullied, but has absolutely no hesitation in asking her robot friend to vaporize her tormentors. She makes life hell for her single mom and constantly bosses around. Not a knock on the actress portraying the girl, but the writers who chose to paint her with significantly negative traits.
Admittedly, there are real-life instances where children are so confused and bewildered by circumstances beyond their control, they lash out in inexplicable ways. But when one gambles on making an animated feature, one goal is to make audience empathize with lead character. Hope the filmmakers consider an expanded arc because this film could have been so promising, but ends up being so unpalatable simply because of poor writing.
Big Hero 6 worked well because of a decent plot, characters that we could identify with and some fantastic animation. In this film, the animation is impressive. The voice cast isn't too shabby either. But all that good work has been badly let down by atrocious character development. The main robot lacks charisma. The comedic robots are too slapstick-y. The human characters don't stand apart from their mechanical counterparts and that is saying something. But it's astonishing how deeply flawed the main lead is. She hates being bullied, but has absolutely no hesitation in asking her robot friend to vaporize her tormentors. She makes life hell for her single mom and constantly bosses around. Not a knock on the actress portraying the girl, but the writers who chose to paint her with significantly negative traits.
Admittedly, there are real-life instances where children are so confused and bewildered by circumstances beyond their control, they lash out in inexplicable ways. But when one gambles on making an animated feature, one goal is to make audience empathize with lead character. Hope the filmmakers consider an expanded arc because this film could have been so promising, but ends up being so unpalatable simply because of poor writing.