Nuts about Bolt

Bolt
U; animation
Director: Byron Howard, Chris Williams
Cast: John Travolta, Miley Cyrus
***

What's it about: Disney revisits its roots with Bolt a heart-warming tale of a loyal and loving dog (Travolta) who will go to any extent to protect his owner Penny (Cyrus). While Bolt thinks that he's a super-powered dog, he's actually just an ordinary mutt working on a television show. After being accidentally shipped and separated from Penny, Bolt finds himself on the streets, facing unknown adversaries. Along the way, he bumps into Mittens (Susie Essman) a street cat who compels him to come to terms with his reality. Once the truth sinks in, Bolt now faces the challenge of returning back to Penny and starting a new life.
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What' s hot: There will be no doubt in your mind that Disney has stepped up the ante when it comes to animation. Forced into a corner by Pixar and Dreamworks, the studio has bounced back with Bolt. Pushing the tempo right from the very first frame, the director duo makes sure they have our undivided attention as we watch Bolt in action. Even though Bolt is the protagonist, it's his sidekick Mittens and later on, Rhino (Mark Walton) the hamster who have some of the best lines. In fact, Susie Essman as Mittens should probably have a movie of her own. Travolta is spot-on as Bolt, using different notes in his tone to convey Bolt's emotions. Miley Cyrus does a decent job as Penny, where she kind of plays herself a teenager living in the spotlight.u00a0 The ditzy pigeons and their scenes with Bolt are hilarious.
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What' s not: Bolt could have done without the whole 3-D experience, not that it doesn't add to the fun quotient, but it certainly doesn't wow you with its effects. Once the story starts unravelling towards it's finish line, the plot does start getting a wee bit thin. The hamster should have got more screen time!
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What to do: Refreshingly different and extremely enjoyable, Bolt is recommended for anyone who wants to enjoy a cutesy yet street-smart animation film.