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.
Cast details
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John Travolta
Born: 18 Feb 1954
Englewood, New JerseyTop rated films View all Pulp Fiction - BLU-RAY Version (1994) 
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?)
Bolt: John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman
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.
Reviews
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Critics' reviews
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Disneys first 3D animation, made under new head John Lasseter, is a likeable, dynamic and seductively characterised... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
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27 out of 28 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Barking madness...
Bolt is an all action screen superhero dog who believes the scripted on screen heorics he performs are real life, and he really is saving the little girl who owns him in each episode. Unfortunately the painful truth af his lack of real powers comes to light when outside the studio he believes his owner has been kidnapped, and embarks (em-BARKS - couldnt resist it !!!) on a cross country journey to rescue her. WQe watched this in 3D buth whether or not you do doesnt really mater as in any case this is superbly animated fun that has humour and interest for young and old alike, very entertaining.
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8 out of 9 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Another Great Kids Film!
Bolt, an American White Shepherd voiced by John Travolta, plays a super dog in a hit TV show but fully believes his super powers are real and the girl he protects truly is in danger. When he is accidentally separated from his owner and leaves the set into the big wide world he must find his way home and save his best friend and owner Penny, voiced by Miley Cyrus. Meeting Rhino the Hamster, voiced by Mark Walton, and Mittens, voiced by Susie Essman along the way he leads an exciting adventure full of laughs and tribulations in this heart warming tale.
Great for the kids and adults alike, with brilliant CGI, although not the best I've seen, I recommend this to any audience. 4 Stars!
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- ChrisArmitage from Halifax, England
- Posted 18 Jan 2009 16:39
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7 out of 8 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Brill
Loved it, couldn't wait to see it and enjoyed every minute, ok so i'm 38, whatever!!!!!!!!!
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Most recent members' reviews (2)
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Weak
I think they got this one wrong. Disney are great at mixing childrens films with adult humour so that parents who take their kids to the cinema enjoy the outing as well. With this film the balance is too much on the adult side, making it difficult for younger children to follow. Save your money and rent Toy Story or Shrek to see how it should be done.
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Dull
Very slow and not a great film, seen so many good ones that this was disappointing!!
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27 out of 28 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Barking madness...
Bolt is an all action screen superhero dog who believes the scripted on screen heorics he performs are real life, and he really is saving the little girl who owns him in each episode. Unfortunately the painful truth af his lack of real powers comes to light when outside the studio he believes his owner has been kidnapped, and embarks (em-BARKS - couldnt resist it !!!) on a cross country journey to rescue her. WQe watched this in 3D buth whether or not you do doesnt really mater as in any case this is superbly animated fun that has humour and interest for young and old alike, very entertaining.
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8 out of 9 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Another Great Kids Film!
Bolt, an American White Shepherd voiced by John Travolta, plays a super dog in a hit TV show but fully believes his super powers are real and the girl he protects truly is in danger. When he is accidentally separated from his owner and leaves the set into the big wide world he must find his way home and save his best friend and owner Penny, voiced by Miley Cyrus. Meeting Rhino the Hamster, voiced by Mark Walton, and Mittens, voiced by Susie Essman along the way he leads an exciting adventure full of laughs and tribulations in this heart warming tale.
Great for the kids and adults alike, with brilliant CGI, although not the best I've seen, I recommend this to any audience. 4 Stars!-
- ChrisArmitage from Halifax, England
- Posted 18 Jan 2009 16:39
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7 out of 8 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Brill
Loved it, couldn't wait to see it and enjoyed every minute, ok so i'm 38, whatever!!!!!!!!!
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5 out of 6 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Bolt 3-D
Great script with dry and witty VO delivery. Very funny with the usual moral message for the kids. See it in 3-D for stand out performances.
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4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
canny
my son liket it only a little bit not as much as i thought,which is a shame,liked others better.
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
bolt
we found this film very boring for a disney film and a bit far fetched, we do not think even the children will enjoy this film
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3 out of 4 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
good quality animation combined with original enough concept
This is very good quality animation film, the concept was original enough and the plot quite decent and gripping. Must watch in 3D, it was amazing. Reccommended by me and Monica.
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Remember this film is a PG...
Although this may look like a cuddly toddler film it ain't. We saw this film this afternoon and the tinies in the audience were all in tears at the more emotional and/or scary points in the film - it's good, yes, and funny, yes, but it's not for the very small kids.
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
It Was Alright
I watched Bolt with my 5 year old son and he and myself enjoyed the film. But we were not blown away and it just felt at the end, 'well that was alright'.
Recommended for young children, but not much in the film for adults and does not compare to other animated films such as Toy Story, Incredibles, Monsters Inc or Cars. -
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Didnt like it
Didnt watch it to the end as i didnt enjoy the start. Very hard to understand espically for a kids movie.
Critics' reviews
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Disneys first 3D animation, made under new head John Lasseter, is a likeable, dynamic and seductively characterised... read more on Time Out