Review of Bolt (2008) by Johnny T — 04 Jun 2011

Funny and heartwarming. Bolt is bound to charm audiences of all ages. There's something both simple and sweet about Bolt, yet epic, that's entirely surprising. Bolt breaks no great new stylistic ground -- and yet it's a sturdy beaut. Bolt carries two tales for the price of one, both handled by Disney veterans and first-time directors Chris Williams and Byron Howard with wit, grace, and the dazzling craftsmanship we've come to expect from the studio that's hitched its wagon to Pixar. As Bolt, John Travolta is inspired: Bolt has the magical quality of great animation, the ability to touch us without the hint of preachiness or manipulation. As Bolt, John Travolta is inspired: His voice still cracks like an adolescent's, and he has the perfect dopey innocence. What keeps Bolt fresh is an unaffected exuberance, a genuine sense of fun, that is expressed above all through obsessive attention to craft. A very fun movie to watch but not a memorable one.

VERDICT: "Matinée" - (Mixed reaction). These kinds of movies are usually movies that had some good things, but some bad things kept it from being amazing. This rating says to pay matinée prices to see at a theater or buy an ex rental or a cheap price of the DVD to own..