Bolt (2008)

The canine star of a fictional sci-fi/action show that believes his powers are real embarks on a cross country trek to save his co-star from a threat he believes is just as real.

Directors:

Byron Howard, Chris Williams

Writers:

Dan Fogelman (screenplay), Chris Williams (screenplay),

Stars:

John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 21 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Travolta	...	Bolt (voice)
Miley Cyrus	...	Penny (voice)
Susie Essman	...	Mittens (voice)
Mark Walton	...	Rhino (voice)
Malcolm McDowell	...	Dr. Calico (voice)
James Lipton	...	The Director (voice)
Greg Germann	...	The Agent (voice)
Diedrich Bader	...	Veteran Cat (voice)
Nick Swardson	...	Blake (voice)
J.P. Manoux	...	Tom (voice)
Dan Fogelman	...	Billy (voice)
Kari Wahlgren	...	Mindy (voice)
Chloë Grace Moretz	...	Young Penny (voice) (as Chloë Moretz)
Randy Savage	...	Thug (voice)
Ronn Moss	...	Dr. Forrester (voice)

Storyline

Bolt, an American white shepherd, has lived his whole life on the set of his action TV show, where he believes he has superpowers. When separated from the studio by accident, he meets a female alley cat named Mittens and a hamster named Rhino. He's trying to find the way home, to the studio. Along the way, he learns that he doesn't have superpowers and that the show is not real.

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Plot Keywords:

superpower | dog | hamster | cat | hollywood | 

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Taglines:

Fully Awesome 2008

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some mild action and peril

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [jp]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 November 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

American Dog

Box Office

Budget:

$150,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£5,457,438 (UK) (13 February 2009)

Gross:

£17,745,776 (UK) (3 April 2009)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Animation Studios, Walt Disney Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital EX DTS-ES

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Originally, Mittens was to be called Mister Mittens as her masters never took the time to check if she was male or female.

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Goofs

The director is upset because a boom microphone is visible in the frame and "the dog could have seen that." Regardless of what the camera captured, the microphone and its operator were out in the open on the set itself, where Bolt could have seen them during filming, even if they were edited out later.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Young Penny: [points to puppy Bolt, decisively] That one.

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Crazy Credits

At the end of the credits, a hamster running in a hamster wheel comes up with the words. When he stops running, the words stop moving. Another hamster enters in from the left to take his place. After a high-five, they switch. The first hamster walks off, the second starts running, and the credits resume rolling.

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Connections

References The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992)

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Soundtracks

"Barking At The Moon"
Written and Performed by Jenny Lewis
Produced by Gillian Welch & David Rawlings with Jenny Lewis and Johnathan Rice
Recorded and Mixed by Jason Lader
Jenny Lewis appears courtesy of Warner Bros. Records

User Reviews

Some of the most fun you'll have at the movies this year

Standing out in the crowd is not always the easiest thing to accomplish for an animated film, but above what you may expect, against WALL∙E's heart, and Kung Fu Panda's slapstick hilarity, Disney's Bolt jumps forward as simply the most fun.

What makes Bolt noteworthy as well as a success on its own terms is its ability to take an age-old message about being true to oneself and finding your inner hero, and mesh it with a unique storyline that ends up spawning what, at first glance at least, seems wholly unique. Coupled with the expectedly bright crisp animation and stellar voice work, makes Bolt better yet, and a sure contender for best animated film at this years Oscars. Bolt also reclaims the original song work of Disney past, conceived between its also star and teen sensation Miley Cirus and Jenny Lewis and both compilations are memorable and sweet. Bolt never dives for the heartstrings, but scores its emotional points through well developed characters and thoughtful situations.

Bolt opens with a very entertaining action sequence in which Bolt (voiced to surprising effect by John Travolta) and his master Penny (Miley Cirus) are chased by well equipped super villains which plays out in the vein of The Incredibles. The genetically altered canine can leap helicopters in a single bound, melt evil with laser eyes and destroy villains at a whim with his super-bark. It is soon revealed that the action speckled lives of Penny and Bolt is in fact a hit television show, which requires Bolt to be kept in the dark about the nature of his existence; in brief, he actually believes he has super powers. But after a cliff-hanger ending of an episode in which Penny is taken, prompts Bolt to escape, determined to reclaim his friend and master. Embarking for the first time into the real world he haphazardly enlist the help of a very reluctant cat (Susie Essman) and a fan-boy err...fan- hamster named Rhino (Mark Walton) and along the way learns, and earns, the true stripes of a hero and that of friendship.

If everything I mentioned above was not enough to make you see this film, I can also reveal that Bolt is an at times hilarious send-up of the movie industry and genre clichés. Propelled by the hilarious supporting voice work including Malcolm McDowell, Dietrich Bader and James Lipton the blend of comedy, drama, and flat out entertainment value is unmatched. Also worth an enthusiastic mention are the pigeons that show up throughout the course of Bolt's adventure. Not only (as with all) is the voicing perfect but the physical humour implored is gut-busting, with the feathery fools twitching their heads in a pigeon- esquire way during their meetings with Bolt to glorious results.

If you have a chance, you obviously should see this film in 3-D, however it is still well worth your money viewed in a traditional medium. Bolt is a reminder of why Disney was such an animation juggernaut and it is pleasant to see them recapturing some of their past glory. And just in case you want it mentioned bluntly, yes there are many jokes that older patrons will more then enjoy. It is always refreshing to see an old formula revamped so effectively and certainly always welcome to see a movie that can put a smile on faces of all ages.

8.5 / 10.0

View all my reviews at Simon Says Movie Reviews: www.simonsaysmovies.blogspot.com