Dogs in films aren't new. And dogs in animation films aren't new either. The Disney brand-name itself has had many successful associations with cute and lovable dog characters in the past, yet what makes their animation flick 'Bolt' stand out, and stand tall, is its clever narrative that has been blended beautifully with the picture-perfect animation.
'Bolt' is the story of a small white dog who has spent his entire life on the set of a television series without being aware of that reality. He thinks he is having a normal life, and yet it is just part of a one big act, orchestrated by the studio majors. The eponymous character thinks that he has super-powers - a whole lot of them ranging from super-bar & super-speed to laser vision. When he learns the truth, he is absolutely crushed. And then begins his real and biggest adventure to get back to his owner, co-star, Penny, a young girl with a heart-of -gold. Bolt is joined in his adventure by Mittens, the female alley cat, and Rhino, a TV-obsessed hamster.
The film's voice cast features John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Malcolm McDowell, Susie Essman, Mark Walton, Greg Germann, James Lipton, and Grey Delisle. It is directed by Chris Wiliams and Byron Howard. The original music has been scored by John Powell and the soundtrack has the brilliant track 'Barking at the moon' sung by Jenny Lewis, and also the Miley Cyrus and John Travolta end-credits number 'I thought I lost you'.
This computer generated animation flick has been handsomely produced by Walt Disney Animation Studio, who had released it in theaters in 2008, but I couldn't catch it on the big screen due to poor exhibition schedule (once again for an English-language film) here in Kolkata. I am thankful to my sister for making me watch it eventually.
