Bolt! (Bolt (DVD))

Member Name: shaneo632

Product:	Bolt (DVD)
Date:	06/07/09 (8 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great animation, cast, and very heart warming

Disadvantages: None

Bolt stands unique, seeing as it is Disney's first film since the Disney/Pixar relationship was re-established. Thus, Pixar's famed director and animator John Lasseter (who directed Toy Story, arguably Pixar's best and most revolutionary film) doesn't take the reigns here, but he is the producer and oversaw production, lending many of his Pixar animators to Disney for the film.

A girl named Penny (Miley Cyrus) and a dog named Bolt (John Travolta) are stars of a TV show that features Bolt as a superhuman dog, however, the twist is that outside of the TV show, he believes that he has these super-powers. Furthermore, the show's crew go to rather extremely lengths to ensure that Bolt actually believes he is a super-dog, to the extent of having long takes where film crews are hidden. Thus, it's basically like The Truman Show if you replace Jim Carrey with an animated dog, and despite what had the potential to be a very clunky film, this is a vibrantly animated film that has a lot of heart and some great voice work.

The film was also released in 3-D, although aside from the stunning opening scenes, which show us Bolt and Penny in action on their TV show, there's not too much that's worth watching it in 3-D for. It doesn't benefit from it in the way that the likes of Coraline did. Nevertheless, this is a stellar film gimmicks aside, thanks to a very touching depiction of the relationship between a young girl and her dog. Also, the irritable kitty Mittens (voiced by Curb Your Enthusiasm star Susie Essman), with her relentless sarcasm, is a real hoot and true foil to Bolt, whilst egotistical, body-confused hamster Rhino (Mark Walton) is hilarious in his own right.

This is a smart Disney film that delivers laughs for both kids and adults, and has a heart of Gold to boot. The song "Barking at the Moon" by Jenny Lewis is also rather moving when used to great effect at a pivotal point in the film. With Bolt, Disney have affirmed that they aren't just relegated to poor direct-to-DVD sequels to some of their best franchises. This is bold, fun, and emotionally resonant filmmaking that is as good as some of Pixar's efforts.

Visually exciting and self-aware, Bolt is a unique and fast-paced animated film that is superbly rendered and well-acted by its voice cast.

Summary: Overcomes a potentially clunky concept with a heart of Gold