Bolt (2008)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Directors:

Byron Howard
Chris Williams

Writers:

Dan Fogelman (screenplay)
Chris Williams (screenplay)

Release Date:

21 November 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

A hero is unleashed 2008.

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Superpower | Hamster | Dog | Cat | Alley Cat

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 20 nominations

Cast

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)
Chloe Moretz	...	Young Penny (voice)
Randy Savage	...	Thug (voice)
Ronn Moss	...	Dr. Forrester (voice)

Also Known As:

American Dog (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for some mild action and peril.

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital EX | DTS-ES

Certification:

USA:PG (certificate #44841) | Singapore:G | South Korea:All | Ireland:G | South Africa:10M | Netherlands:AL | Philippines:G (MTRCB) | Canada:G (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Quebec) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Malaysia:U | Portugal:M/4 (dubbed version) | Portugal:M/6 (original version) | Australia:G | UK:PG | Chile:TE | New Zealand:PG | Brazil:Livre | Germany:6 | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Hong Kong:I | Taiwan:GP | Argentina:Atp | Peru:PT | Sweden:7 | Norway:7 | Czech Republic:U | Mexico:AA

Company:

Walt Disney Animation Studios

Trivia:

This movie features a girl named Penny and her dog having crazy adventures with a super villain and his cat. This is eerily similar to the TV show "Inspector Gadget" (1983) in which a girl named Penny and her dog help Inspector Gadget against a super villain with a cat. Both dogs have B's as first letter in their names- Bolt and Brain, and both dogs are super smart, communicate only with the girl, and usually end up saving the day.

Goofs:

Factual errors: When Penny rolls the penny down the hall to distract the guards, the side showing the Lincoln Memorial is facing the camera. The miniature Abraham Lincoln (visible inside the memorial on a penny) is missing.

Quotes:

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

Movie Connections:

Features "Whammy! The All New Press Your Luck" (2002)

Soundtrack:

I Thought I Lost You

Bolt brings back true Disney

I have been anticipating the release of Bolt for several months. I had an opportunity to see a screening of it and it exceeded all my expectations. Bolt is a wonderful movie with a good story and heart, something that Pixar has done well but Disney has struggled with. I believe the addition of John Lasseter to Disney Animation has made a significant impact on the quality and continuity of this film. Yes, it is CGI. You may ask, "Why is Disney doing CGI when Pixar already does?" All the studios are doing CGI right now. I have been very impressed with Pixar's CGI detail, however the detail in Bolt is even better. Creating a dog with fur that gets dirty, wet, wind-blown and looks real is very impressive (at least it is to me). In addition to better detail, the color and light of this film is so true to life, you'll think it's the real thing.

I laughed, cried, and was on the edge of my seat. Disney has created some lovable characters who will definitely win the hearts of millions. Congrats to the entire Disney Animation studio, well done.