the audience applauded

Best movie of this year hands down!

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

Hats off to Disney for improving their CG that much in just three years. If you try looking at Chicken liitle which established Disney as capable of making CG-animated movies, you will know. Bolt is also waaay more likable than Chicken Little. Now for the actual movie. Bolt (John Travolta) is a dog whose life is a reality show in which he is a super powered dog who goes on dangerous missions with a girl named Penny (Miley Cyrus). But it turns out that he really believes this and when he escapes from the studio he must deal with not having super powers and come to terms with reality. The plot is pretty similar to The Truman Show, and since I know that movie, Bolt became rather predictable to me. It is cute seeing him interact with humans and hanging out with a feline he meets along the way home to the studio, but that was just not enough to make it a classic. The voice actors did good jobs, that's for sure, and some action scenes are well made, but aside from that it's pretty average. One year later Disney returned with a bang in their last traditionally animated musical which to be honest is a lot stronger than bolt despite not being the mega hit they anticipated.

This movie seriously reminds me of the Disney works from the 90's, full of friendship, adventure, good feelings and vibes between a dog and his owner. The all concept and storyline is very clever, and in the middle also brings the touch of reality with the difficult but relevant theme of companion animals abandon, and the black holes of Hollywood multi- million dollar cinema industry. Bolt offered us an extreme positive message – unconditional care and love are far more valuable than self- interest, money, fame or notoriety. On the other hand, the viewer is also presented with a huge amount of humor and action, brought by another amazing characters like the pigeons or the hamster. Over all, we are facing another huge hit and magical work by Disney brilliant animators.

Cute and Cuddly at times, this Disney Animated Feature is far from a perfectly conceived Story that has a Familiar Feel, but is Loaded Up with Laughs and Endearing Characters. The Triple Bonding of a Dog (Bolt), a Cat (Mittens), and a Hamster (Rhino) on a Road Trip is the Stuff of Life Lessons and Content of Character Building.Despite some Clumsy Storytelling and Transitions, like the End of the First Act, threatens to make the Movie a Chore to Sit through, it does become more Engaging as it Settles into the Story Conceit and Fancy Footwork.Although Rhino (the Hamster) has many Fans, He really is the Weakest of the Lead Trio, and often seems like He is there to give some Confidence to Folks Forever Fighting Weight Problems and is the one relied upon for most of the Comedy Relief. He is Upstaged by the Pigeons.Overall, it's a Charming Children's Film that has some Appeal for Grown-Ups. The Animation is Smooth and Silky and the Graphics are Muted Somewhat to Render a Softer Appeal. It Works. Will most likely not Attain Upper Echelon or Top Shelf Status but is a Solid "Cartoon" and a Respectable Genre Entry.

Bolt (2008): Dir: Byron Howard, Chris Williams / Voices: John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman, Mark Walton, Malcolm McDowell: Energetic family animation about dependable friendships. Bolt is a movie star dog whose whole life is movies and he believes the plot lines as real. When he ends up in the outside world he faces hilarious facts about his suppose superpowers. Simple, formulaic but satisfactory. This film will appeal to family audiences as well as present humour around reality TV. Directors Byron Howard and Chris Williams are backed with detailed animated characters as well as a great choice theme about reality and fantasy. John Travolta voices Bolt who learns of real life but just when discouragement threatens to set in, he will discover what true courage is all about. Susie Essman voices cat Mittens with sarcasm. Mark Walton voices delusional hamster Rhino. Both characters work on great comic levels despite their formula driven presentation in subplots. Miley Cyrus voices Bolt's owner Penny who misses him and cannot really perform with the replacement. She will also learn what true courage and friendship is all about. Malcolm McDowell voices the villain in the movies and programs that Bolt is famous for and takes ever so seriously. Well animated family comedy as well as a hilarious attack on reality, fantasy and knowing the difference. Score: 7 / 10