By: debbie lynn elias
Disney goes to the dogs (and cats, and hamsters) once again and this time it’s with miles and miles (as in about 3000 of ‘em) of heart, action adventure, friendship and more heart with what is destined to become a new Disney classic – BOLT, the story of a little girl and her dog, who just happen to be tv action super heroes. Calling on their own vault of super heroes from executive producer John Lasseter (the mastermind behind “Toy Story”, “A Bug’s Life” and “Cars” just to name a few) to first time director but 14 year Disney story and development veteran Chris Williams, co-director Byron Howard, himself another 14 year veteran Disney animator, to scribe Dan Fogelman who just happened to write “Cars” to superstar Miley Cyrus aka Hannah Montana, Disney solidifies its place as the top dog in family friendly entertainment and fun with a film that delights, 3D animation that dazzles and a story with characters that melt your heart and make you want to scoop them up in your arms and take them home. (Merchandising! Merchandising!)
Penny is your average little girl. And like every little girl, she longs to have a puppy and what better puppy than an adorable little American White Shepherd with a great affection for a squeeky carrot chew toy. From the moment Penny spies this little pup in the pet shop window and slips a collar with a tag that says “Bolt” and her arms around his neck, kisses him on the forehead saying, “That’s my good boy”, one knows this is a true love between a little girl and her dog. Even the most callous and coldest will be struck with a true “awww” get-the-tissues-now moment, as if suddenly struck by a “bolt” of lightening.
But, fast forward five years and what’s this? Penny and Bolt being chases by electrified robot looking creatures, helicopters and okay, let’s face it – bad guys! Speeding away on her hyped up Razer scooter with Bolt by her side, with the mere mention of the words, “Zoom, Zoom”, Bolt goes into hyperdrive at warp speed pulling Penny away from harm’s way!! Jumping trains, crossing bridges, laser beams shooting from his eyes and evoking the earth shuddering Super Bark, this is no ordinary dog! We quickly learn, however, that Bolt has been “souped” up by Penny’s dad, a renowned scientist and it is the evil criminal mastermind Dr. Calico who seeks to steal away Penny’s dad and the secrets of Bolt. And what better way to do that but try and kidnap Penny knowing that Bolt will come to save the day.
But wait a minute! As we see this adventure come to an end with the bad guys destroyed and Penny saved holding on to her “good boy” as our two heroes go “home”, some of the bad guys start to rise from the rubble!!! What’s this?? Gasp!!! Why, this is television! And Penny is an actress and Bolt is her dog with super powers that only come from the magic of the movies. But there’s one little hitch. Bolt doesn’t know he’s on a tv show. Bolt truly believes he is a super hero thanks to a ratings hound of a producer who believes he can get a better performance from his canine star if Bolt isn’t any the wiser. Let him believe that Penny really is in danger.
But what happens when greedy network executives want a programming change; want Penny not to be saved; want a ratings cliffhanger. And what happens when they get their wish and Bolt sees Penny taken away in what looks like a porta-potty! There’s only one thing for this super dog to do. Find Penny. But what Bolt doesn’t know is that this is only pretend and Penny is safe at home.
Breaking free of the confines of the movie studio, Bolt embarks on a real adventure in the real world – and unknowingly, without his super powers. With the aid of a cantankerous sarcastic streetwise cat named Mittens and Rhino, a dynamo of a hamster and Bolt’s “biggest fan”, these three unlikely friends join forces as they face the wilds of America in their trek to reunite Bolt with Penny, who is broken hearted to find Bolt gone.
The voicing of this film is ideal and never moreso than when it comes to Penny and Mittens. Miley Cyrus, a die hard animal lover with 5 dogs of her own, had no problem slipping into Penny’s persona. Cyrus not only emotes little girl glee but heartbreaking drama when her beloved Bolt is missing. The passion, sympathy and empathy that she brings to Penny is simply beautiful. And then there’s the uber talented Susie Essman who steals every scene with her voicing of Mittens. Bringing great humor to the film with Mitten’s traits, Essman’s voicing and tonal inflections are pitch perfect. And talk about a surprise performance – Disney writer Mark Walton is fantastic as the hyperkinetic over-zealous rapid fan of Bolt, Rhino the Hamster. A little dynamo of a character, Walton’s high energy puts Rhino over the top making for tons of fun and laughter. A real coup and one that adults will particularly enjoy is that of “The Actor’s Studio” host, James Lipton who is hysterical as the director of Penny and Bolt’s tv show. Obnoxious, egomaniacal and over-the-top self absorbed perfectionist, Lipton is fantastic. And as he himself says, “This is the first Stanislavski-motivated animated character.” The always funny Greg Germann is no different here as he takes the role of Penny and Bolt’s agent to the 9th degree, mocking some of Hollywood’s finest. And what about Bolt? Surprise of the century is John Travolta. I admit – initially I was not impressed with Travolta’s voicing ability. But about 15-20 minutes into the film when Bolt got to really engage and interact with the “real world”, Travolta knocked it out of the park. He came alive. Funny, sweet, cocky, self-assured, panicked, heart broken. He hit every emotion with his voice.
Written by Dan Fogelman and co-director Chris Williams, the true essence of BOLT is found within each character and their individual personalities which are multi-textural and real. The anthropomorphic aspects of Bolt, Mittens, Rhino and various other avian and animal friends are endearing and heartwarming. For me, however, it is the love between Penny and Bolt that is so eloquently portrayed with subtlety and heart. And on top of it all, the story is rapid paced, rapid fire and pure unadulterated fun!!!!
Animation and story go hand in hand in a film such as this. Wanting to perfectly depict Bolt, the animation department went above and beyond with research and observation to capture the slightest emotional nuances of Bolt, from eyebrows padding little paws. Perhaps the most intensive animation study, however, involved Rhino. Using a real hamster named Doink, Doink was filmed from below so artists could capture how his little toes and feet worked when he walked and rolled in his little plexiglas ball. The meticulous attention to detail is breathtaking. Art Director Paul Felix harkened back to the glory days of Disney hand painted backgrounds in order to capture a softness and richness of Bolt’s world. So intent on realizing this visual, Felix created computer software that allowed for placement of brushstrokes within the confines of CG.
I had the pleasure of screening BOLT in Disney Digital 3-D. Previously in Disney 3-D films, 3-D was a post animation conversion process done outside of the Mouse House. However, with BOLT, this is Disney’s first animated 3-D film conceived, designed and kept in house. Shot concurrently at the same time as the regular film, directors Williams and Howard were able to “influence the storytelling through the 3-D process. . .to do something much more subtle and satisfying to the audience.” This allowed the filmmakers to adjust the levels of 3-D so that storytelling remained the focus and not technology. For example, in very emotional scenes, 3-D is toned way down while in the super hero action sequences, the 3-D is amped up to its highest levels.
The story of BOLT is Disney at its finest. This is the stuff that movies and memories are made of. Laughter, heart, action adventure, animation and above all love. So ‘bolt” off that couch and “zoom zoom” to the nearest theatre and get struck by BOLT. This is one lightening strike you don’t want to miss!
Bolt – John Travolta Penny – Miley Cyrus Mittens – Susie Essman Rhino – Mark Walton Director – James Lipton
Directed by Chris Williams and Byron Howard. Written by Dan Fogelman and Chris Williams. Rated Pg. (96 min)
