MOVIE REVIEW: BOLT

Six of Seven Cows

                 

There’s no denying it – I’m a sucker for talking-dog movies. What can I say? I’ve got a soft spot for the pooches. You could slap a cold, wet nose on a cow patty and I’d take it home and try to feed it. I’m goofy that way. So, how happy must I be that Disney has hit one out of the park with Bolt, a hilarious and sweet animated comedy about a TV super-dog who doesn’t know his “super” status is all make believe.

                 

Played by John Travolta, Bolt lives to protect his owner Penny, played by Miley Cyrus. Certain his television nemesis, “The Green-eyed Man”, is lurking just outside his beloved Penny’s trailer at all hours, Bolt is ever vigilant. Anyone who has owned a truly good dog will chuckle at the seriousness with which Bolt approaches his duty – this is how dogs are. This is why we love them.

                 

When Bolt escapes from the set of his television show and ends up being shipped to New York, the erstwhile super-pooch learns he’s really not that super after all. But with the help of a kidnapped kitten, a hilarious hamster, and the funniest pigeons to ever hit the big screen, he learns that love and friendship is enough. As gag-worthy as that last sentence may be, the truth is it’s all true and it all works.

                 

You don’t have to be a dog lover to love Bolt, but much of the charm of this movie is that those who made it obviously are. Bolt is thoroughly infused with all the characteristics that make dogs the charming, humorous, loyal, courageous and innocent companions they are. Because of this he is at once recognizable to anyone who owns and loves a dog.

               

How about anyone who has owned (and loved?) a hamster? Well, Bolt may leave you a little confused on that count. Rhino, played by Mark Walton, bears little resemblance to any rodent I’ve ever known – he’s an absolute riot, practically stealing the movie. If they were this cool in real life I suspect fewer would end up as snake food.

                

 Bolt is an innocent pleasure, kind of like an actual pooch. It’s my personal hope that movies like this will encourage people to be kinder to the real dogs in their back yards. Kid-friendly and more fun than a box of puppies, I give Bolt six talking cows.