John Travolta dances onto the big screen again and this time as a white German Shepherd dog. Travolta (Saturday Night Fever) partners up with Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana) for the new Disney animated feature, Bolt, and I have to admit I was quite impressed.
Going into the theater I had my doubts and began to ask myself, “Why Bolt?” Why not the new Bond film? But sitting in the cozy padded red seats, and looking up at the screen, I couldn’t help but be captured into following this small prideful dog’s adventure to find his “person,” Penny, who has gone missing. Within a few minutes into the start of the movie, the new Bond film had been erased from my mind.
Bolt, in general is about a Hollywood acting dog (Travolta), owned by Penny (Miley Cyrus), that finds himself lost in New York City. Bolt, believing that his show’s plot and his powers are real, ventures on a journey to find Penny when she is kidnapped by the Green-Eyed Man. Along the way Bolt teams up with a black alley cat named Mittens (Susie Essman) and a Gerbil named Rhino (Mark Walton). Together they begin a troublesome, fun, and educational journey to California. The sly alley cat, loyal hamster, and fearless German Shepard, create a funny, unstoppable team.
There are parts in the film which could use a bit more explaining. Its lack of specific details leaves the audience feeling unattached at times, but in all the film carries itself well even with its faults. The movie has its share of laughs and action scenes and even heartfelt moments. There are parts that will make you laugh hard and long enough to last into the next scene, but there are also tear-jerking scenes that will have you wiping the water away from the edge of your eyes.
What makes Bolt so successful though are not its comedic or tragic moments, but rather the creativity of its plot. The script was very well-written and the characters were thought out thoroughly, each providing an important feel to the movie through his or her personality. One aspect of the film that I highly praise is its creative literary usage. For an animated film to have such literary elements present, makes me feel that it has gone beyond a normal commercial motion picture.
In the end, Disney has come through once again with another animated hit. Bolt will probably not receive the credit it deserves from viewers because it will most likely be seen as a kid’s movie, but in truth the film is just as much for adults as it is for children, and one could learn a few morals by watching the film. Bolt is getting an “A” in my book, and I urge all to see it.
