Bolt: Fun canine capers

Feb 5 2009 Pierce Hunt, Surrey Herald

BOLT (voiced by John Travolta) is the star of his own fictional action TV show.

His superpowers, along with the help of his owner Penny's (Miley Cyrus) determination, prove to be a winning combination against the evil Dr Calico (Malcolm McDowell).

But as Bolt has been raised on the set of the show since he was a pup, he believes he is a real superhero and has no idea that his every move is captured on film for a viewing public.

When the bubble Bolt lives in bursts, he is thrust into the real world where he meets Mittens (Susie Essman), a streetwise alley cat who longs to be wanted.

The unlikely pair soon gel and try to find a way home for Bolt.

Unfortunately, the chemistry between Bolt and Mittens appears to be non-existent for the majority of the film, and there are moments of uncomfortable silence where supposed gags fall completely flat. It becomes increasing more difficult to like Bolt as a character as the film progresses.

The one saving grace of the whole film is Rhino (Mark Walton), an excitable hamster who is Bolt's biggest fan. His brilliant one-liners and witty observations are the source of some real belly laughs.

Bolt sees Walt Disney trying its hardest to win over a young audience with some great special effects and an array of cutesy characters who soon begin to bond in an epic adventure across America. But without the glitz of Pixar's razor-sharp animation and flawless script, Disney's individual attempt never quite measures up to the spectacular back catalogue of Disney/Pixar classics.

The 3D version is out this Friday. There will also be a 2D version released on Friday, February 13.

6/10