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Bookmark this pageBolt (2008)
Director: Byron Howard, Chris Williams
Movie review
From Time Out London
Disney’s first 3D animation, made under new head John Lasseter, is a likeable, dynamic and seductively characterised family entertainment. Directed by newcomers Byron Howard and Chris Williams, it’s a romantic tale of the sentimental education of the titular dog, which is graphically inspired by the larger American shepherd and modestly voiced by John Travolta. In ‘Truman Show’ fashion, Bolt is the deluded super-hero star of a hit live-action children’s television show, replete with a snazzy lightning logo emblazoned on his flank. As Bolt is separated by accident from ‘his person’, the equally innocent child-star Penny (Miley Cyrus), and joined by an alley-cat (a sassy, touching Susie Essman) and couch-potato Hamster (a cherishable star-turn by animator Mark Walton), he learns to be ‘a real dog’.One of the pleasures of ‘Bolt’ is how, without taking itself too seriously, it combines adventure with ideas and how the thoughtful, sympathetic script has fun with the reality/fantasy divide in a way that makes perfect sense to small kids, while still providing engagement and amusement for older siblings and adults in tow. Visually, it’s clever and stimulating: there are some excellent eye-level 3D effects, a nice pastiche of ‘bullet-time’ (part of a running theme throughout the film ‘discussing’ the relationship of live-action to CGI) and – elatingly – a pair of beautiful ‘helicopter’ shots. Borrowing a practice from Pixar, the main feature is prefaced by a short film, one of car-dealer’s son Lasseter’s own CGI spin-offs from ‘Cars’, the lovely, Japanese-accented ‘Tokyo Mater’, which charmingly combines petrol-head nostalgia with ‘Speed Racer’-esque kineticism.
Author: Wally Hammond
Time Out London Issue 2007, 5 - 11 Feb, 2009
User reviews of this film
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- sophie said...
- Posted on Feb 16 2009 18:16 everyone it is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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- lina said...
- Posted on Feb 16 2009 18:14 heya.im going to see the film probaly on saturday with my brother i hope it will be brilliant!i am watching the 3d version!cant wait ill let you know if its good byex
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- shelley said...
- Posted on Feb 16 2009 15:11 takein my children tomorrow hope its a great film
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- Ashleigh said...
- Posted on Feb 16 2009 11:29 The film is great watched it 2 times now hope you will watch it and enjoy it. if you dont please comment me and say y (:
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- Lauren said...
- Posted on Feb 16 2009 08:12 I saw it and it made me cry cause it was so sad
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- amareece and kira hulait said...
- Posted on Feb 15 2009 13:51 we were looking to watch despereaux but it wasn't on at our local cinema so this was second choice and both myself any my two girls aged 6 and 4 absolutely enjoyed it. It entertained and visually was a treat with good characterisation and story. We were thoroughly entertained and my only regret is that we didn't see it in 3D. would thoroughly recommend it. You'll love it!
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- bender said...
- Posted on Feb 15 2009 13:48 IT WAS GREAT!!!
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- jacqui said...
- Posted on Feb 15 2009 10:28 dont find reviews useful, from people saying they are going to see it. whats the point?
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- XanaxishX said...
- Posted on Feb 15 2009 10:04 i am goin to see it today hope it is gd but with all the other comment i know it is
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- lulu said...
- Posted on Feb 15 2009 00:14 goiing 2 c this film 2moz....realy excited!!!!
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- Sara said...
- Posted on Feb 14 2009 17:18 im gonna watch this film tonight hope its good compared to your comments i'll just give it a 5 star!!!
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- sophie said...
- Posted on Feb 14 2009 14:06 there was a bolt game out yesterday and im going to get it it looks good too
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- sophie said...
- Posted on Feb 14 2009 14:03 i hope all of you will have a great time watching it xxx
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- ross said...
- Posted on Feb 14 2009 11:29 going to see it tmorrow cant wait :)
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- chelsea said...
- Posted on Feb 13 2009 17:55 i am going with my sister tmorrow so i hpe its ok x
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Cast & crew
Director: Byron Howard, Chris Williams
Rated: PG
Duration: 103 mins
UK Release: Feb 6 2009
US Release: Nov 21 2008
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