Movie Review- BOLT

Mania Grade: B+

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Movie: Bolt
Reviewed Format: Theatrical
Starring (Voices): John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman, Mark Walton, Malcolm McDowell, James Lipton
Written By: Dan Fogelman, Chris Williams
Directed By: Byron Howard, Chris Williams
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures
Series:

REVIEW- Bolt

Reality TV for dogs

By Liana Aghajanian November 21, 2008

Our canine hero (John Travolta) in Walt Disney's BOLT(2008).
© Walt Disney Pictures

In this action packed animated movie featuring big names like John Travolta and Miley Cyrus, “Bolt” tells the story of a super-dog who’s the star of his own show (literally) but doesn’t know it yet. Although it will satisfy its target audience well, they’re sure to miss a few jokes intended for adults along the way.

A “Truman Show” for a younger audience, “Bolt” manages to jam adventure, love, friendship and courage into a neatly compacted one hour and 36 minutes and will induce laughter in young and old generations alike.

Bolt (John Travolta), a friendly but fierce little white dog with a black lightning bolt emblazoned on his torso is the Jack, err, dog of all trades. With a super bark that can tear up concrete, eyes that shoot out laser beams, the strength of ten men and super-sonic speed, he protects his owner Penny (Miley Cyrus), from the evil-doers of his world, which he believes to be real. The reality in fact, is that Bolt is the star of his own hit television show and is actually devoid of any super powers he has onscreen with the help of special effects.

Great measures are taken to ensure that Bolt remains oblivious to the fact that his heroic deeds are, well, all in a day’s work. Because, if the dog believes its real, as the director says, the audience will as well.

When a shipping mishap sends Bolt across the country packed in a cardboard box, he begins a lengthy adventure to find his “person” again, meeting a slew of characters along the way. Bolt first encounters Mittens (Susie Essman, “Curb Your Enthuasiasm”), a rambunctious alley cat, followed by Rhino (Mark Walton, a Disney animator), a hamster who “eats danger for breakfast and long time fan of Bolt. Rounding out the animal crew are perhaps the most underrated stars of the film, three hilarious and oblivious New York City pigeons named Vinnie, Joey and Bobby (and their Los Angeles and Midwestern counterparts). When Bolt’s super powers fail to protect him from the harsh realities of the outside world though, he realizes he’s not very super at all, and perhaps doesn’t need to be.

While satisfying a younger palette, the film also lends itself to more adult references about network ratings, over bearing publicists (voiced by Greg Germann), boom mics, the shallowness of Hollywood, and along with the picturesque journey across the country, paints a not so pleasant image of show business.

If you’ve ever had a special bond with a pet in your life, Bolt will surely make you laugh, but perhaps make you shed a couple tears in the process as well. If that’s the case, you might want to go see this alone.

Walt Disney enthusiasts who might not be fans of CG will be somewhat satisfied at least with art director Paul Felix’s extra attention to creating brushstrokes on the edges of objects and backgrounds to give the film richer texture. Indeed, the animation is crisp, but not too crisp and does a great job of capturing the landscape of cities such as Los Angeles, New York City, the Vegas strip and RV parks in Ohio, which isn’t surprising considering director of look and lighting Adolph Lusinsksy and his team traveled to the aforementioned sites to study the feel of the locations.

The throwback to Disney’s history of the hand-painted approach wasn’t the only boundary the production team pushed. Unlike “Chicken Little” and “Meet the Robinsons” whose 3-D versions were created in post-production outside of the studio, Bolt is Disney’s first animated featured that was originally designed to be shown in 3-D.

Parents are sure to appreciate the lessons the adorable Bolt offers about friendship, love and trust. Kids are sure to appreciate Bolt, Mittens and Rhino’s antics and cross-country adventure. Although the film might repeat certain elements of previous features (think Toy Story’s Buzz Lightyear’s “flying abilities”) and has mega-hyped film “Twilight” to compete with on opening weekend, a diverse audience will enjoy Bolt for what it is; a nicely animated, morally driven distraction from screaming kids and time-outs.

Bolt opens in theaters Friday, Nov. 21, 2008

Directed by Chris Wiliams and Byron Howard, produced by Clark Spencer, executively produced by John Lasseter, screenplay by Dan Fogelman and Chris Williams, original score composed by John Powell. Released by Walt Disney Pictures. Running time: 1 hour and 36 minutes. This film is rated PG for mild action and peril.

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