Bolt (2008)

Written by Dan Fogleman & Chris Williams
Directed by Chris Williams & Byron Howard

Bolt is a strange movie.

As an action film, it’s pretty satisfying: you can turn your brain off and just see some really cool imagery. It’s almost to the point of forgetting that it’s an animated film; the shots are staged just as they would be in a live action film. The entire opening sequence 100% succeeds at this, becoming a relentlessly fast-paced action tour de force.

This plot makes zero sense

As anything other than a mindless action film, Bolt stumbles. This starts with the whole conceit of the film: it literally makes zero sense to make a dog believe he’s really a superhero in order to get a more believable performance from him for his TV show. HE’S A DOG. Also, HOW DO YOU HIDE ALL THE EQUIPMENT THAT IS NEEDED TO FILM A TV SHOW? I feel like these are questions that either A) were never asked or B) WERE asked, and promptly ignored.

Sad Mittens needs to NOT

The two supporting animals, Mittens and Rhino, are fun, although Mittens getting upset that Bolt doesn’t magically want to stay with her in Vegas doesn’t make a ton of sense, as all Bolt has been saying is he wants to get back to Penny in Los Angeles. Her speech about being declawed and abandoned was NOT COOL AT ALL and completely called to mind “When Somebody Loved Me” from Toy Story 2 and I just can’t with all that emotion.

People, don’t declaw your cats. AND MOST CERTAINLY DO NOT ABANDON THEM SOMEWHERE THEY DON’T KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON.

Bolt is the last non-musical film for a bit, but I have always enjoyed the end credits song, “I Thought I Lost You”, performed by John Travolta and Miley Cyrus (LISTEN YOU STOP YOUR JUDGING RIGHT NOW, OKAY?). It’s just a great little song that sums up the feelings of the movie.

Bolt and one of my least favorite animals

Overall, I think I liked Meet the Robinsons more than this film, but I still enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I just wish the plot wasn’t so...idiotic.

Also. Pigeons played far too big of a role in this film. Trash birds.

FINAL GRADE: B-