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Bolt

The first Disney animated feature to come with an executive producer credit for Pixar’s John Lasseter, Bolt is also the name of the heroic American shepherd who stars in a popular TV kids show. He’s part Lassie, part Superdog. And here’s the thing: he doesn’t understand the show is pretend. That spells trouble when he accidentally wanders off the set and into the real world. He’s unwittingly shipped from LA to New York City, but remains determined to use his super powers to return to Hollywoodland.

Now, personally, I liked this movie better the first time I saw it, when it was called 101 Dalmations 2: Patch's London Adventure (not to be confused with 102 Dalmations), in which Patch befriends a deluded TV star German shepherd by the name of… Thunderbolt. But I accept that not many people have seen that, and it was probably too good a concept to waste on a straight to video sequel. In any case, the filmmakers have souped up the action no end, gone the CG route, and even thrown in 3D effects if you’re so inclined. You also get John Travolta’s vocal chords in place of Barry Bostwick’s, for whatever that’s worth. (Of course, the story also bears some similarity to Buzz Lightyear’s learning curve in Toy Story 2, but let’s just put that one down to coincidence, shall we?)

But I digress. Lost in the big apple and finding that his superbark no longer bites, Bolt kidnaps (catnaps?) an unimpressed but worldywise moggie, Mittens (voiced by Susie Essman), and enlists her aid. Also along for the ride, a hamster called Rhino (Mark Walton), a Bolt fan who spends most of his time in a running wheel.

Written and directed by Byron Howard and Chris Williams, the movie has some good ideas and looks sharp, but it’s a bit clunky in the handling. I know this is a kids’ film, but it beggars belief that the dog has grown up on this TV show and never realised there are hidden cameras all over the place (it’s very Truman Show, now that I think of it). How dumb is this canine? In fact, why would the producers go that kind of trouble when we all know dogs are pretty good actors? You want motivation, throw them a stick.

Mittens and Rhino are the more engaging characters, as animated sidekicks often seem to be, but the closer Bolt gets back to home, the more tenuous their presence becomes. And the emotional beats are so predictable you could set your watch by them.

On the other hand, there are two or three above average set pieces – a daring escapade involving a moving train is a standout – and there is not a minute here any well-adjusted under-ten won’t love. Even the Miley Cyrus songs are inoffensive.

Tom Charity
tom.charity@lovefilm.com

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