BOLT

Directors: Byron Howard & Chris Williams
Stars: John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman, Mark Walton, Malcolm McDowell, Greg Germann
Year: 2008
Rating: PG

Combine state-of-the-art computer animation with a level of writing that hearkens back to the great Disney animated films of years back ... and you have Bolt, an energetic, action-packed, funny and damned awesome movie about a five-year-old canine with delusions of grandeur who will do anything to protect his young owner.

The delusions aren't the dog's fault, though, as from puppy-hood Bolt (voiced beautifully by John Travolta) has been geared by a Hollywood studio to believe he is the super-dog he believes himself to be. See, Bolt and his owner - a young girl named Penny (Miley Cyrus) - are TV stars of an action-adventure show in which Bolt stars as a doggie James Bond who constantly gets his owner (and her brilliant scientist father) out of one deadly situation after another ... most of them at the hands of the evil Dr. Calico (Malcolm McDowell). Bolt is fiercely loyal, and uses his various super-fast speed, powerful jaws, or sonic bark to always save Penny at the end of the day.

But Bolt believes it's all real - and the studio head wants to keep it that way so the dog will be that more believable on TV, therefore remaining a hit with audiences. So every night, Penny (much to her unhappiness) leaves Bolt behind at the studio when she goes home, in his own trailer, and comes back for the dog when they resume shooting the next day, all along threatening to tell Bolt the truth (that it's all make-believe), even if that kills the show.

But a pair of co-stars, two taunting cats who play Dr. Calico's evil felines on the series and know it's all a TV show (and know that Bolt doesn't), occasionally tease Bolt with descriptions on how they and Calico will get Penny the next day - and on one such occasion, Bolt is able to get free of the trailer, where he promptly runs loose in the studio ...

And ends up getting knocked unconscious before falling into an open packing box full of Styrofoam peanuts, which is promptly then sealed up and put on a truck for shipping. And when Bolt breaks up, he's now in New York City (though he doesn't realize it) - over 3,000 miles from the master he's so desperate to save. Worse, the poor dog finds his super powers no longer work. But determined to find Penny and keep her from harm, Bolt enlists the aid of some smart-mouthed pigeons to find a cat he can bully into helping him find Penny - because, after all, cats are evil because they side with Dr. Calico. The pigeons lead him to Mittens (Susie Essman), an underfed alley cat with a cynical attitude who thinks Bolt is pretty much a lunatic. Soon Bolt forces her into helping him find his owner, however, and before too long they also meet up with a hyperactive hamster named Rhino (arguably the most hilarious character in the film, voiced by Mark Walton), who happens to be Bolt's biggest - and the three head off on a cross-country journey to rescue Penny.

I don't feel the above does the film justice, so let's just say that Bolt is one of the most satisfying, fun, and involving films I've seen in a long time, animated or not. I was hooked in the first five minutes, with an incredible action sequence/chase scene, and never grows tired or dull from there. There are more than a few genuine laugh-out-loud moments as well, thanks to a beautifully-written script and supporting characters that rival some of the best in Disney's history. The film is, at times, hilarious and touching, thrilling and suspenseful, and all without straining believability for one moment. Even the animation is top-caliber, and early on you'll forget you're watching animated characters and grow to care for them (especially Bolt) as if they were real, concerned for what happens to them.

A real testament to the golden days of Disney, Bolt is fun and joyous and one of the best treats of the last several years - surely deserving of its Oscar nomination, and a film full of life and fun that will touch the heart of adults and kids alike - especially dog lovers. A wonderful, engaging and very funny film. ***** - Reel Must-See