Review

Review Date: 23-November-08
Spoiler Rating: Medium
Juju Judgment: Juicy

Bolt (2008)

I recently lost a beloved cat, which may or may not explain why I bawled through a good portion of Bolt. It is possible that this would have happened anyway, since this is one animated picture that does not feature critters just for their marketable cuteness. Bolt speaks directly to the things that bind animals and humans in close companionship — a great basis for popular entertainment as a subject Americans of every age can understand. Combine this with the easy humor, child-friendly adventure, and computer artistry we have come to expect from animated films, and Bolt is a good boy indeed.

The eponymous hero is an adorable pooch who, like Jim Carrey's character in The Truman Show, has been raised to believe that his life is reality when in fact it has been contrived for television. Bolt (voiced by John Travolta but occasionally barking so we can relate to him as a pet) is the proud and affectionate protector of a girl (Miley Cyrus) with a knack for getting into perils from which he inevitably saves her with his patented superbark or laser-beam eyes. The television producers keep the mechanics of the show out of Bolt's sight, figuring he will be a more convincing actor if he does not know he is acting. The ruse works ratings-wise, but it causes his young co-star some pain since she loves the dog and wants to do so under natural circumstances. The deception spells big trouble when Bolt escapes the set, thinking he has to save his person from her cat-loving nemesis, and is accidentally shipped across the country.

Disoriented and delusional in New York, Bolt takes a feline hostage (Susie Essman) so that she can lead him to his enemy. The cat is decidedly un-cute, a jaded, scrawny specimen who survives by extorting food scraps from pigeons. Yet she is also the gatekeeper to reality that Bolt needs and a faithful ally as time goes by. On the long road back to Hollywood Bolt also picks up a scene-chewing hamster (Mark Walton) who is a zealous fanboy and a complete hoot. I would not be surprised if this Christmas sees a marked increase in hamster-giving, though sadly no flesh-and-blood rodent could match the charm of this one.

The goal is the reunion of dog and girl on honest ground, the affirmation of a bond which started as a lie but has developed into truth. Throughout its road-trip mayhem, canine/feline philosophizing, and not-so-subtle digs at industry shallowness, Bolt extols the wholesome virtues of letting dogs be dogs and kids be kids, and of giving every pet the love it deserves.

Note: I watched the 2-D version of this movie, which is also out in 3-D.

Copyright © 2008 The Jujube (M. I. Kim). All rights reserved.