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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

‘Big Hero 6’ scores big points for visuals

Hiro Hamada, voiced by Ryan Potter, right, and Baymax, voiced by Scott Adsit, in a scene from “Big Hero 6.” (Associated Press)
Rick Bentley Tribune News Service

This week’s new DVD releases include top-notch animated offerings for young an old.

• “Big Hero 6,” A-minus: Young genius uses a robot to solve a mystery in this animated tale.

Never has East met West in such a visually stunning way. Directors Don Hall and Chris Williams have managed to find a perfect balance of story and visuals. The characters – from the spunky Honey Lemon (Genesis Rodriguez ) to the enthusiastic Fred (T.J. Miller ) – come across as separate parts of one persona.

From the blending of the architecture of Tokyo and San Francisco (to create San Fransokyo) to the collision of traditional animation with anime, the film is “manga-nificent.”

• “Horrible Bosses 2,” D-minus: The three guys hatch a new illegal plan after their new business is threatened.

Jason Bateman is reduced to being the straight man as he tries to give this cockamamie plot some meaning. Even an actor as good as Bateman can’t help a story that only works in the most absurd of conditions.

This kind of asinine offering is just the result of an uninspired effort to milk a few dollars out of the good feelings generated by the original movie.

• “Sofia the First: The Curse of Princess Ivy,” B: Amber discovers Sofia’s amulet is magical and takes it without permission, inadvertently summoning an evil princess.

The adventure features a special appearance by Rapunzel, voiced by Mandy Moore, who reprises her role from Disney’s “Tangled.” John Michael Higgins voices the self-appointed leader of an all-dragon a cappella group.

Also new on DVD

“Whiplash”: Young jazz drummer must endure a ferocious instructor (J.K. Simmons).

“Beyond the Lights”: Superstar is on edge because of constantly being in the spotlight.

“Sons of Anarchy: Season 7”: Final season of the cable series.

“The Whale”: Look at the real story that inspired “Moby Dick.”

“Lilies”: Depicts bleak realities of life in 1920s Britain.

“Outside Bet”: Friends pool their savings to buy a racehorse.

“Code Black”: Examination of health care as seen through the eyes of young doctors.

“Serangoon Road”: Crime drama set in 1960s Singapore.

“Watchers of the Sky”: Examines the cycle of violence and the world’s response.

“New Year’s Evil”: The 1980 horror film is now on Blu-ray.

“Horse Camp”: Kathy longs to be back in the saddle.

“Midsomer Murders: Set 25”: Contains the 100th episode of the mystery series.

“The Shift”: Takes place during one 12-hour night shift in an emergency room.

“The Game”: The Brits prepare for a deadly Soviet plot.

“American Masters: August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand”: Includes interviews and dramatic readings.

“Eat Drink Man Woman”: The 1994 film is on Blu-ray.

“Green Street Hooligans: Underground”: Danny can’t escape life he wants to leave.

“Zombieworld”: Collection of short films focusing on survivors of the zombie apocalypse.

“Mountain Men: Season 3”: History Channel series about the struggle for survival.

“The Master”: Follows the founder of the Choy Li Fut style.

“VANish”: Road trip thriller starring Danny Trejo.

“Devil May Call”: Blind suicide hotline worker fights for survival.

“Wild Orchid”: Mickey Rourke stars in the 1989 drama.

“Zoey to the Max”: Foster child loses her new family’s show dog.