A hero is unleashed in 2008.
Cast | News | Notes | Pictures | Quotes | Soundtrack | Synopsis - Official | Trailer | My Summary | My Review

Cast

Directed by Byron Howard & Chris Williams
Written by Chris Sanders & Dan Fogelman

News

11/8/08
The final trailer is released focusing on Mittens and Rhino.

11/6/08
A new trailer is released.

11/2/08
A music video in support of Miley Cyrus' new song "I Thought I Lost" which features John Travolta and serves as a soundtrack for computer-animated movie "Bolt" has been debuted. On the music video, Cyrus and Travolta's in-video performance is sometimes intercepted with a scene showing the title character of the movie, Bolt, and his owner and co-star, Penny, fleeing from bike riders' chase through the Big Apple's busy traffic.

10/19/08
A four minute opening sequence was released online.

8/2/08
Disney released a long trailer as a first look on Disney Channel which has more scenes with Malcolm's character.

6/27/08
Disney put the trailer on YouTube confirming Malcolm is in the film.

6/22/08
A possibility that Malcolm will appear in the game.
Disney Interactive Studios has announced that it will release a video game inspired by the forthcoming Disney animation Bolt this November. In the game for Xbox 360, Wii, PS2, PS3, DS and PC, players take control of Bolt, making use of his superpowers such as laser vision and a superbark, which sends out a sonic blast. Players can also control Bolt's owner Penny, while using stealth, hacking skills and a scooter. "Bolt uses the film as a springboard, expanding upon the action and dynamic story elements, to provide a fun, challenging experience for gamers," said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing at Disney Interactive Studios. With Bolt, developer Avalanche Software looks to further its reputation as a premier developer of compelling animated games for a broad audience."

6/16/08
Miley Cyrus talks about the film on her site and a clip is shown.

11/26/07
The Disney animated feature film Bolt will reportedly open next year in digital 3-D. Disney president of domestic distribution Chuck Viane informed The Hollywood Reporter, "We absolutely believe in the whole concept of 3-D and the enhancement that it brings in the ability to separate us from any of the other mediums."

Notes

• The film was announced in 2004 as American Dog with completely different art and style.

• The original release date was 11/26/08 in 2D or 3D.

• Had sneak preview 11/15/08, 3D versions are more money. Mine was $12.

• Red Carpet premiere was 11/17/08 El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, CA which Malcolm attended with his son and nephew as well as Travolta, Miley, Billy Ray Cyrus, James Lipton, Mark Walton, John Lasseter, Diedrich Bader, Randy Savage, Tom Everett Scott, Mr. T, Jenny Lewis, Terri Seymour, Madison Pettis, Leticia Finley, Noah Lindsey Cyrus, Niecy Nash and people in suits as Bolt, Mittens & Rhino.

• Animated film, released 11/21/08, was shown in RealD 3D in many theaters.

• Rated PG, widescreen

• Bolt calls Dr. Calico the Green Eyed Man because he has 1 green eye.

Pictures

Premiere
Charlie, Malcolm, Beckett & Kelley
Malcolm close up 1
Malcolm close up 2
Malcolm and Mark Walton
Malcolm with wife Kelley (cut off)

Film
Dr. Calico pointing at Bolt
Dr. Calico with cat on his shoulder
Dr. Calico close up

Merchandise
Sneak preview ticket 11/15/08

Quotes

Malcolm McDowell brought his son Beckett and nephew to the premiere. "Let's face it, they'll tell me on the way home whether it was any good or not," he laughed.

Malcolm says it was fun playing in a movie his own young kids can actually watch, since fans come up to him quoting A Clockwork Orange all the time. “They’ll always recite lines like, ‘Viddy well,’ and ‘In out!’” He hopes that with the success of Bolt, children will now come up to him and yell, “Get that dog!” instead of belting “Singing in the rain”. He laughs, “I enjoy having fans across the board! It’s fun and everyone is so nice.” 11/19/08

"It's something that I've wanted to do for years. I've got friends like Tom Hanks and Robin Williams who have done fantastic animations and I never quite got offered the right one. Then finally a few years ago Disney offered me Bolt and I thought this was the one I had to say yes to. If Bolt is a big hit I'd do a sequel." Jon Travolta

"He's so loveable. He's such a nice guy and for such a big star he could be such a jerk if he wanted to but he's not." the director on Travolta
"It's breathtakingly beautiful". Susie Essman

Trailers

First - released 6/27/08
Music is Elvis Presley vs. JXL - A Little Less Conversation
Dr. Calico is featured prominently in the beginning. He has 3 lines.
Get that dog!
You'll never see Penny again! Ha ha!
Bolt!

Soundtrack

CD Cover

Walt Disney records presents The original motion picture soundtrack, Bolt
Featuring original score by Grammy® nominated composer John Powell
With original songs performed by John Travolta, Miley Cyrus and Jenny Lewis

**Soundtrack To Be Released On November 18th**
    (November 7, 2008 - Burbank, CA) Walt Disney Records will release the original soundtrack for Walt Disney Pictures’ animated comedy adventure Bolt on November 18, 2008. The recording features the score written by Grammy®-nominated composer John Powell (Happy Feet, Shrek) and two original songs: “I Thought I Lost You” performed by the film’s stars Miley Cyrus and John Travolta, and “Barking at the Moon” by Jenny Lewis.
    Composer John Powell has written music for comedies (Hancock, Pluto Nash, Alfie, Mr 3000) and action films (Mr. and Mrs. Smith, X-Men: The Last Stand, Face/Off and the Bourne film trilogy). Some of his most beloved work has been for animated films (Happy Feet, Kung Fu Panda, Ice Age: The Meltdown). The British born Powell began originally trained as a violinist. In 1995 he founded a London based commercial music house before moving to the United States two years later. He is one of the best known former members of the Remote Control (formerly Media Ventures) team of composers, where he first teamed with Harry Gregson-Williams, his collaborator on several scores (Antz, Chicken Run, Shrek).
    Currently, Miley Cyrus is in production on her third season of her hit TV series Hannah Montana. The special edition of her #1 album Breakout will also be released November 18. In the spring of 2009, Miley will release a book sharing her inspiring story, spanning from her Southern roots in Tennessee to the excitement of her record-setting triumphs in TV, music and film. Her feature film Hannah Montana: the Movie is scheduled for release on April 10, 2009.
    The golden-voiced singer songwriter front woman, Jenny Lewis co-founded the highly acclaimed Los Angeles based band Rilo Kiley, with whom she has released 4 albums. Her first solo album “Rabbit Fur Coat” was released in 2006, followed by “Acid Tongue” which was released earlier this year.
    For super-dog Bolt (voice of John Travolta), every day is filled with adventure, danger and intrigue—at least until the cameras stop rolling. When the star of a hit TV show is accidentally shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to New York City, he begins his biggest adventure yet—a cross-country journey through the real world to get back to his owner and co-star, Penny (voice of Miley Cyrus).
    Armed only with the delusions that all his amazing feats and powers are real, and the help of two unlikely traveling companions—a jaded, abandoned housecat named Mittens (voice of Susie Essman) and a TV-obsessed hamster named Rhino (voice of Mark Walton) —Bolt discovers he doesn’t need superpowers to be a hero. Directed by Disney veterans Chris Williams and Byron Howard, Bolt is a hilarious, fun-filled, action-packed animated comedy adventure in Disney Digital 3-D.
Bolt opens in theaters on November 21, 2008. The Bolt Original Soundtrack will be in stores on November 18, 2008.
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For more information please contact: cinemediapromo@yahoo.com

1. I Thought I Lost You
2. Barking at the Moon
3. Meet Bolt
4. Bolt Transforms
5. Scooter Chase
6. New York
7. Meet Mittens
8. The RV Park
9. A Fast Train
10. Where Were You on St. Rhino's Day?
11. Sing-Along Rhino
12. Saving Mittens
13. House on Wheels
14. Las Vegas
15. A Friend in Need
16. Rescuing Penny
17. A Real Life Superbark
18. Unbelievable TV
19. Home at Last/Barking at the Moon (Reprise)

Synopsis - Official

For super-dog Bolt, every day is filled with adventure, danger and intrigue - at least until the cameras stop rolling. When the star of a hit TV show is accidentally shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to New York City, he begins his biggest adventure yet  - a cross-country journey through the real world. Armed only with the delusions that all his amazing feats and powers are real, and with the help of two unlikely traveling companions: a jaded, abandoned housecat named Mittens and a TV-obsessed hamster in a plastic ball named Rhino, Bolt discovers he doesn't need superpowers to be a hero.

My Summary

    A white puppy is in a pen at a pet store playing with a carrot squeak toy. Other puppies pass him by. A little girl named Penny comes in and says that one, pointing to him. She pulls him out and says he's heavy and sloppy. She puts a nametag around his neck that says Bolt and tells him  you are my good boy.
    5 years later. Penny and Bolt are actors on a TV show. Her dad calls her and says he's not going to be home for a while, you can't go back to the house. She ask what's happening. He says not to worry, you have Bolt, I've altered him. He can protect you now. He has super powers from the change.
    They go up on a roof to spy on Dr. Calico across the street with special binoculars. He has a cat on his shoulder and says, "Which is of course is wonderful news, everything is positioning nicely." Any luck getting our guests guts to spill, meaning Penny's dad. "Oh, his guts will spill one way or another." Penny sees him. Dad says he'll never talk. "You are beginning to irk me professor. I am irked, but that will not do. Has the package arrived? I think it might make our dear friend a bit more communicative. Gorgeous. Have him bring it to me on the first flight. We'll eat the girl."
    A car comes after Penny & Bolt and traps them in an alley. Bolt goes head on into the car and flips it over. She wants to know where Dr. Calico is. The agent won't talk to her. Bolt takes the car and holds it over a bridge with his mouth. He confesses Calico is in Bolivia, by the lake. She should've known, let's go. Bolt tosses the car on the bridge. Her computer says a flight is leaving in 10 minutes and they have to zoom zoom. Bolt pulls her on her scooter at super speed through traffic. When they get on the freeway they are pursued by Calico's metal minions on motorcycles. One of them throws a disc bomb onto a tanker truck and Penny says Bolt, fetch! He jumps across the freeway the opposite way and grabs it with his teeth and works his way back passed an excited school bus. Helicopters also pursue them and he jumps over one and drops the bomb on a biker. He sees it only has a few seconds left and tosses it in the air and it sticks to one of their choppers and blows up. Bolt gets back with Penny as she's trapped on a wharf and saves her. Good boy, airport. On the way the road is blocked by tons of men, equipment, vehicles and choppers. She says Bolt, speak. He lines up for his superbark and it makes a shockwave that throws everyone. Good job buddy, mission accomplished. She takes their picture with a Polaroid camera. They go back to their trailer and he's all anxious to protect her. She puts the picture on the wall with many others and says not to worry, you saved the day again.
    In the control room the director is watching the footage with the crew and at the superbark there is a boom mic in the shot. He is upset, the dog could've seen that. Mindy Parker asks who cares. Who are you? She's from the network. He asks what who does she see here pointing to Bolt . The dog? Poor Mindy. Am I missing something? Everything. I see a dog with every fiber of his being wants to save his owner, he's never seen a dog with that kind of emotion before. They do everything to make the dog believe it is real. That's why they hide the boom mics and never reshoot, if the dog believes it the audience believes it. She says you want reality? It's too predictable. The dog is in danger, he saves her from the creepy English guy. The 18-35 group says it's too happy, if they aren't happy we are not happy. You need to reach everyone in Topeka or if you slip half a rating point you are all fired.
    Penny says you saved me again Bolt. He growls at the door and she says it's OK, no more bad guys. You want some food? You got him, no more bad guys, I'm fine. She throws a ball and says go get it. He doesn't, yeah it's not fun. We have your old buddy Mr. Carrot. He growls. Oh, Bolt you know I have to go, you are my good boy. She leaves and her agent comes up to her, there she is my little superstar let's go to the Teen Vogue photo shoot. She wants to go home with Bolt this week. He says oh nothing would be better than that. I can go? As your friend, yes, as your agent, no way he has to stay, this is Bolt's world. He never gets to be a real dog. He says lets put a pin in it, hang it up, pop, and address it later. She says he never leaves. He has a little girl he would do anything for and would trade her for you.
    Calico's lead cat and a new fat Siamese cat head to Bolt's trailer. The dog believes all this is real? Fat cat can't believe it. Whenever he is tense he goes over and messes with him. They go to the trailer roof and talk to Bolt from the open window. He warns they will get Penny. Bolt says no, you have chosen the evil path along with your fiendish puppet master. Fat cat goes wow. I know, watch this. She's a gonner, dog, the green eyed man has a plan and soon he will execute it. Fat cat tries it. And uhh he will execute her too. Bolt says he has a little message for his friend. Tell him Bolt....is it a long message? I have a horrible memory. The lead cat says to the fat cat I have an idea you remember the first part, I'll remember the second part. Keep it short. Tell the green eyed man that once I get him in my clutches. Wait, too long, already forgot it, something about clutches. They leave and fat cat says he's a big fan, loves him. They are put in their own cages, dogs! Loathsome cats, he won't let them get you Penny.
    The next day they are taping again. She asks Bolt if he's ready. Now we see the cameramen doing their jobs from a far and being instructed what to do. Bolt and Penny break into Calico's lair and access the Calico supercomputer to find her father. She does and on the way they are confronted. Bolt uses his heat vision on a guard, they jump on others and push them through windows where stunt men save them. Calico says, "That devotion brings tears to my eyes! Your father's discoveries could be of great use to our organization. I'm sure he'll be more accommodating now that I've got his lucky Penny. World domination is within my grasp!" They grab Penny with a metal claw,  take her away and that ends the shoot. Bolt barks.
    The director asks Mindy how your focus group feels about cliffhangers, I give you unhappy 18-35 year olds. Penny yells to Bolt that she's OK. They tell her she can't do that. He needs to know I'm OK, he'll be freaking out all night. The agent says he'll feel that much better when he saves her, it'll be more real. What's that behind your ear? A pin! We have that DVD junket to hit. They have to put Bolt in a cage by a handler in a bite suit to keep him from biting him.
    The two cats go back to Bolt to laugh at him. The Fact cat is working on his evil laugh. The lead cat says he's not ready. Let me show you. Bolt escapes and looks for Penny. He hears her calling Bolt, help, but it's the editor working on the footage. He thinks she's locked in a Port-o-John outside and jumps out the window to her, but the window is shut, he hits it, gets knocked out and falls into a shipping box. A guy tapes up the box and puts in on a truck and he's shipped to New York.
    They open the box in NYC and Bolt runs for it freaking out, thinking it's the Green Eyed Man. He has pink packing peanuts stuck to him as he runs. He sees a truck pulling a similar Port-o-John and chases it down. He stands in front of it and the truck swerves to miss him and he thinks he powers stopped him. The truck flips over and the John opens. He sees she isn't there, they moved her. He sees other dogs at a corner and goes to ask for help, but they just sniff his butt, he asks what are they doing, want to sniff me first? He says this is serious. A girl asks if he is lost and puts a leash on him. He runs for it, gets away, hits a metal fence and gets his head stuck in it. Three pigeons, Joey, Vinnie & Bobby, come over and say he got his head stuck pretty good, his melon is stuck, that is one stuck melon, take it easy, slow down. He can't his person is missing. This is ridonculous. They say turn and pull, show him how and to forget about it you'll be out in no time. He does and pops out. Bolt sees the peanuts and thinks they weakened him. The say they are Styrofoam packing peanuts. He thinks it's the Green Eyed Man. Vinnie says this dog looks familiar, right Joey? Yeah. I now this dog, it's going to kill me. He says to wait. Then a bus pulls up and has a huge picture of Bolt on it, but he can't remember. Then another Bolt bus pulls up with a different picture stating the show is on Thursdays at 8pm. They ask if he hangs on 14th street with Kelvin. He says pigeons are useless. He needs a cat to tell him where Penny is. They ask why. He will make that cat wish he was never born. They know just the cat.
    Mittens is a female cat who waits for pigeons to bring her food. Saul brings a big bagel offering. She's happy until Louie comes up with a small crumb. Her stomach is growling, he's going to get the claws. He says no. She says the stomach is hooked to the claws, not up to her, can't control them. Next week she wants twice as much, all his food. He says the deal was half the food to get her protection. She changed the deal. He says one day someone will stand up to you. Then Bolt slams into her and traps her. He wants to know where she is. Mittens doesn't know what to do or say. Joey, Vinnie & Bobby are watching from above and say to tell him what he wants. She says to tell them he's got the wrong cat. They say you got her, she's the one, the right cat. Bolt says it looks like we are going to do this the hard way. He holds her off a bridge and she says you are crazy. The pigeons wonder if they went too far, no it's the best day ever. Bolt is getting tired of this, he feels a yawn coming on. She says no wait, she knows the men in black have her, the man with the blue eyes. He says you keep lying. She says green eye! You disgust me! I know, I disgust myself. She says she knows where Penny is when she sees his nametag says his home is in Hollywood.
    She takes him to a dumpster and has her tied to a leash. She goes in and warns him she is taking a risk betraying the Green Eyed Man. She gives him a map of the whole world which is really a placemat from Waffle World. He has to go from the lady with the green torch here all the way to the waffle with the sunglasses in California. She did it, now let me go. He won't. She says we had a deal. He changed the deal. Louie says she just said that to me not 10 minutes ago, the irony! Bolt spots a U-haul truck with a picture of California on it, perfect. He yanks Mittens across the street with him bonking her around. It is padlocked. He says he will stare at the lock really hard and it will burst into flames. She says she's concerned on a number of levels. Two guys come out with a couch to load on the truck. They forgot the keys and go back. Meanwhile Bolt drags her over and hangs under the couch. Vinnie says he knows that dog, he's seen him somewhere. There are huge posters of Bolt around the city, but they can't remember.
    The truck heads across the country with them inside. The agent comes to Penny, he has good news, he booked her as lead guest on the tonight show. She doesn't care. He says right, Bolt is still missing, it's not good news at all. Her mom holds her, she thinks Bolt must be so scared. No, he's not scared of anything. The agent says Bolt would want her to do the show. Mom says he loves her, couldn't have gone far.
    On the truck Mittens asks about his superpowers. He says it's classified. Can you fly? No. She is going through boxes looking for a weapon. He admits he has a superbark. She asks about it, but he says it's classified. She finds a baseball bat, but when she grabs it Styrofoam falls on him. He freaks out and says tuck and roll. She says what? He jumps out of the truck with her. They roll and crash. He asks what is this red liquid coming from his paw? Blood stupid. Do I need it? If you want to live. He's usually more indestructible. Don't jump off trucks going 80mph on the freeway then. She wants to get away, grabs Styrofoam and threatens him with it. He says she doesn't know it's power. She does. He says that's a weird place to hang a piano. She looks and he tackles her. His stomach growls and he doesn't know what that is. He wants to know what she did to him and wants the antidote, the cure. She says right there. There is a campground nearby, that's perfect. She says to do the dog face. He doesn't know what that means. She can't believe it. If you want the antidote do what I say. Not likely, you are a dark degenerate creature. Right, right. She teaches him to tilt his head, put his ears down and look to the side to beg. He goes up to RVs and they throw him hot dogs and other food. They all think he's so cute. Mittens tries it and gets yelled at to get out of there. They get food from everyone.
    Rhino is a hamster in his trailer using the clear plastic ball he's inside to change the channels on the remote. He watches Rosie O'Donnell, then sticks with the A-team. Mittens says he's quite the little actor, look her stomach is distended. Bolt says not to get used to it, we have to move. She says more people will come every week, more suckers, it's a goldmine. Rhino sees him and comes out. He thinks his eyes deceive him, he's awesome. Mittens ask who he is? Rhino. The hamster? He's also part wolverine. He says Bolt is the superdog, has heat vision and can obliterate structures with his superbark. Mittens says you she saw the superbark? Oh, yes. Bolt says you've been monitoring me? I watch you all the time. He can't believe it, he's always so vigilant, no one can evade his detection. You are a phantom! If you say so. Rhino does his Bolt action, scary huh, like we are twins. Mittens says scary. Where is Penny? Kidnapped by the Green Eyed Man. This is terrible, she could be in danger. Yes, but I've captured this cat. Agent of the Green Eyed Man I presume? You presume correctly, she is taking me to Penny. Rhino says she is vile, how can she sleep at night, Penny loves him you monster, how dare you. He tries to attack - die die! Bolt says easy Rhino. Yes, we need her alive. We? Yes, I could be a valuable addition of your team. I'm listening. I have razor sharp reflexes, a master of stealth plus I can keep the cat in check. The road will be rough. I have a ball! There's no turning back. Guess I'll have to roll with the punches. Easy won't be part of the equation. Promise? We are going into the belly of the beast, maybe never to return. I eat danger for breakfast. You hungry? Starving! Mittens doesn't know what's going on, she's concerned about the number of lunatics on this trip, limit is 1. Bolt says he is coming. They need to find a fast set of wheels. Rhino has a better idea.
    He leads them to railroad bridge. A train is going by underneath. Bolt says to do a flyover, calculate trajectory, land dead center, miss anything? Just that every second I'm with you becomes the new greatest second of my life. Mittens doesn't want to do it, Bolt says you are with me. That's the problem. Rhino saw it on the magic box, it was awesome. Mittens asks what? The one they stare at. TV of course, he's from Hollywood. Let it begin! She says you are not a superhero. Bolt loosens a banner on the bridge and they swing down on it. Rhino rolls away and almost falls of the edge. Mittens lands on the rear ladder and almost falls off. Bolt goes to save her and she thinks he's crazy since he's not a real hero. The ladder goes down and swings out with Bolt on it. She loosens the bolts and Rhino goes to stop her, she says she is trying to help. The ladder is going to hit a water tower and Bolt's leash is trapped. He frees it just in time with Rhino holding her back.
    They all get thrown off and Bolt is hurt. She says the real world hurts. She is in a tree and won't come down. Rhino goes to get a ladder. She says you are on a TV show, it's not real, you have no power and the first time in your life you are hungry, bleeding, you get hurt and do you really think you have a birthmark in the exact shape of a bolt on your body? It's his mark of power. It's from a makeup artist. Get down here. No. So help me I will superbark you out of that tree. Go nuts, see how it works out for you. He barks. Superbark, scary, really super. He says it's not true and does it again. Wow, that felt really super. He keeps barking and she says he can stop now. Seriously stop. An animal catcher pulls up and he won't stop and she tells him OK, he's a sueprdog, gotta run. The catcher grabs them both and puts them in his truck. Rhino comes back with the ladder just in time to see them drive off.
    Penny is making copies of a Lost Dog flier to hand up. The agent says he found Bolt and brings a dog to Penny. She says that's not Bolt. Depends on how you look at it. When he was little he wanted a bicycle for his birthday and got a baseball glove, what he did was ride the glove to school pretending it was a bike. It's not him. Mindy says she has to be honest with her, if they don't get back to production good people will lose their jobs, people with families. But Bolt is still out there. I feel for you, but the last thing we want to do is make a little girl make a grown up decisions, but we need you to move on, we need you to let Bolt go. She turns off the copier.
    Mittens can't believe it will end like this. Bolt says they will get out of it. She says he has no powers, no heat vision. They are taking us to a place where humans go shopping, the cute ones like you always get picked, but people like me never do. He crashes into the lock and nothing happens. He keeps doing it and gets worn out. Rhino catches up with the truck and says ring, ring who is it? Destiny, I've been expecting your call. He gets out of the ball, jumps on the truck and works his way down to the latch. She tells Bolt to give it up, he will hurt any brains he had left. He won't quit. He tries again as Rhino opens the latch. He says he made it, he's back. Rhino sings to him and he asks what he's doing there. He popped the latch. You opened the door? Yes, I did. Oh, that's great. Let's go get the monster back. He now realizes he isn't super after all. He can't do it. What did you say? I can't. Who are you? You are Bolt! Who foiled Calico's plans? Me. Who stopped the infiltration or robot cyborgs into the Olympics?. Me, but... There are animals all over the world who dreamed of saving little girls from danger like you did, like a hamster in an RV park, they need a hero to tell people the impossible can become possible if you are awesome. You are right about one thing, Mittens does need a hero. Who is going do it? Me. Right, I'll go get my ball!
    They go to the animal shelter. There it is! It'll be just like the time you infiltrated Calico's lair. It won't be exactly like that, will be different. Right, stealth! They wait for the guard to leave, then they sneak in the automatic door. The lady at the desk thinks her coworker is playing a joke on her and is hiding to scare her. The door opened, but she didn't see anyone come in. She warns she will pepper spray him for attacking like a toddler and gets up. They sneak around back and find a guard reading. Rhino wants to snap his neck. Instead Bolt throws Rhino in with the dogs and they all get excited about the ball rolling in front of their cages. Bolt finds Mittens and she asks what he's doing. Busting you out. You came back for me? Yes. But you don't have any superpowers. I know. Crazy day for you, huh? Ready? No, me either. He opens up the cage. A dog has Rhino in his mouth through the bars and is getting him all slimy. He slides out as the guard arrives to check. They run out the door, Rhino goes flying hits the guard in the head and he falls. Bolt barks and it causes the guard to crash his truck into the sign, the sign falls on the truck and it explodes. The female guard pepper sprays the man and asks what he did to her truck.
    They all stow away on a doublewide house being transported. Rhino says all his life he wanted to see a real live superbark, you are legendary. Bolts asks Mittens if he doesn't chase bad guys what is he? Don't worry, being a dog is the greatest gig in the word. Here's a little known cat secret. We hate dogs because we want to be dogs. What do dogs do? Sleep, chase tails, eat, smell, don't need a master's degree. You usually live in a place like this. She takes him on a tour. This is your dogbowl, the kitchen. On cold night the fireplace and ball of yarn is all you need. You seem to have experience. She used to live in a place like this, but she got out fast, is an alley cat at heart. Rhino yells into the vent saying Bolt is awesome and it echoes, they go find him. Mittens says it's time to show you to the dog Pièce de résistance. What? Stick your head out the window. He does. This is awesome! Stick your tongue out! Why? He does and says how awesome it is, you have to try it. Nah, it's a dog thing.
    Then a montage to the song "There is no home like the one you've got because that home belongs to you." On the road Mittens shows him how to be a dog. She teaches him how to fetch sticks, chase, retrieve balls and how to stand when another dog confronts him and to chase him around. He even finds a ball of yarn for her.
    They are in Las Vegas and Mittens tells him to wake up, she has a surprise for him. She set up a cardboard box house for her and a bigger one for him right next door. She found a pillow for him and stuffed it with Styrofoam - practical and ironic. He keeps trying to say he can't. She keeps showing him how it works, privacy, soundproof, the door closes, but it's not really soundproof. He's one waffle away from Penny. You are going back to her? She's my person. She grabs his ear and he says ow! She pulls him to a large billboard with a Bolt ad. She shows how it is all fake, it's not real, she is real, Penny is not. He doesn't believe it, Penny is different. No, that's what they do. They take you in and one day they leave you, taking all their stuff and going leaving their declawed cat to fend for themselves wondering what she did wrong. He is sorry. She says get out of here Bolt, sorry I had pity on you. He says take care Mittens and leaves. Mittens is really sad and can't eat her food.
    The next day Rhino wakes up, the pizza isn't loving him back at all. Where is Bolt? He's gone. He left? He instructed me to tell you he had to face the Green Eyed Man alone. He leaves. Where are you going? To Bolt. But he doesn't need us anymore. Trust me I've seen it a million times before, in the cold heart of battle the hero has to go at it alone. If Bolt taught him anything it's that friends don't abandon each other in their time of need. He goes and she says he went the other way. She reluctantly joins them.
    Bolt arrives at the Hollywood sign and says Penny. Two pigeons recognize him and fly over. No way, wow Bolt! I'm Lane and this is my writing partner Tom and this is our personal assistant Billy who was supposed to wait on the wire. He says he's a big fan. That was really scary, go get us some breadcrumbs and not pumpernickel. He says he doesn't have time. They know he's busy, it won't take long. Tom is the pitchman, go. He doesn't nothing. Wait for it! Aliens, everyone loves aliens! Oh snap, hollaback. Bolt likes it. If you can help me find Penny, the one from the show I'll consider it, but on their way. They've got a bite and lead him to the studio pitching the whole way. When they arrive they say to call, they know they've got him. Bolt sees the paintings of him and Penny all over.
    Rhino and Mittens arrive at the same place where Bolt was. At last they arrived as the belly of the beast, the lair of the Green Eyed Man. She tries to tell him some things aren't really real when they arrive at the studio. One of Calico's metal guards is taking a break and Rhino goes to attack, but he just picks up the ball and says it reminds him of a hamster he had when he was a kid.
    Bolt finds his trailer with Mr. Carrot and plays with it. He hears Penny and goes to her from a dark hallway. She says Bolt, you came back, I thought I lost you. It turns out she was rehearsing a scene with the new Bolt. Bolt can't see this and thinks he's been replaced and walks away dejected. She says you are my good boy. Mittens watches from overhead. They say go to stage 7 and do it for real. Penny says she misses him and mom says she does too. Bolt leaves the lot with his head down.
    They shoot the scene. Penny's dad is tied up and Calico enters, "Ah, professor, I'd like to thank you for granting us access to that labyrinthine mind of yours." I would never do such a thing. "Unless it was the only way to save your little girls' life!" Bolt enters. "Your dog is nowhere near…get that dog!" Fake Bolt is to cross a bridge and gets spooked while Penny is hanging up in the air. The dog panics, runs and knocks over torches setting fire to the set. Everyone runs for it.
    Mittens stops Bolt. He asks what is she doing here. I was tied to a delusional dog and dragged across the country, but that's not important now, the real question is what are you doing here and not in there? You were right Mittens, she wasn't real. No, it is real, I saw her face when you left, she was broken hearted, you are her person, she is your dog. Bolt you are going to have to trust me on this. He hears something and tells her to be quiet. You have to listen. No, seriously. He hears Penny yelling.
    Penny pulls a harness and falls on a mattress, but it is too late, there is smoke and flames all around. Rhino gets away when the man sees the smoke. Bolt and Mittens run for it. Bolt knocks the agent down on the way out and he says Bolt? What should we do? Bolt says just make sure I get in there. Rhino goes in the door and uses his ball to hold up falling metal and says it's a good day to die! Bolt runs through. Mittens says not on my watch and pulls him out. The ball breaks and it falls blocking the entrance. Bolt finds Penny, she knew he would come back. She tells him zoom zoom and he pulls her to the exit, which is a vent. He gets in, but she collapses. He tries to push and pull her, but can't move her. She coughs, says Bolt go on out, go, it'll be OK. He stays with her. You are my good boy, I love you.
    Outside firemen are working. Mom asks if anyone has seen her baby. It's chaos. Bolt barks into the vent and it's loud enough to hear outside. The firemen ask for everyone to be quiet. He barks again and they run toward the sound. Rhino says it's the superbark! Bolt crawls under her arm and stays with her. The firemen break through, find her and pull her out. Penny is on a stretcher and they carry Bolt. She says Bolt to him. Mom comes over and says she's OK. They go to take her to the hospital. In the ambulance mom is so sorry this happened. The agent enters and says he's sorry, no mother should ever have to go through this, we are gong to make it work for us, cover story, production, executive producer credits, this is so great! She kicks him out of the ambulance and says we quit! He says no, put a pin in it!
    Penny is shown in the hospital, they had to reconstruct her face. The staff unbandages her. Then Calico is the doctor with a needle of green liquid and is laughing. He goes to inject her and Bolt breaks through a window and smashes it with his heat vision. On the way out aliens abduct them and fly away. Calico says, "Aliens."
    Rhino is watching it on TV and says that totally unrealistic. Bolt says simply ridonculous. Mittens says you can say that again. Then he scratches her and she says that is the spot. Penny comes in and says hey silly doggy. She takes a picture of all of them in their new house on the couch. She asks if he wants to play outside. He looks and Rhino and Mittens give him a nod. She goes outside and now they leave in a big southern house and plays fetch with him. Two pigeons are out there and ask if they ever saw that dog before. Nope, never saw him in my life. They show the new family photo. The End.

My Review

    I've been a fan of 3D films since I was a kid, there is just something so cool about things coming out of the screen toward you that makes films more fun. Of course when those films started it was just the cheesy red & blue glasses. Now they are much more advanced than that using clear polarized lenses and a single projector instead of two. I've been wanting to check one of these films out since they first started in 2005, but usually they were far away since only 100 or so screens showed them and were kids movies I didn't care about. Bolt is only around the 10th film released this way and though it was a kids movie, I had a good reason to see it.
    I rarely go to the movies anyway for all the obvious reasons - too expensive, too noisy, too dirty, too cold, too many previews, etc. When I do go it's always the bargain matinee, which is not much of a bargain, to save some money. This time it was a sneak preview that was only a mile from my house so there was no way I wanted to miss it - 3D & Malcolm, the perfect combination. I got tickets a couple days early in case it sold out and I was surprised to see it didn't. At $12 a ticket this was double the most I'd ever spend for a regular film. The theater is split with about 5 rows in the front, a walkway behind them and stadium style seating going up from there. Basically the whole top was full and the bottom was empty. The glasses they give you are clear and look like regular glasses. There are no instructions on them except for endless warnings that they aren't sunglasses. Now you'd have to be a total and complete raving idiot to think that since the lenses are not dark in any way. The trailers started with Race to Witch Mountain which isn't even out until next year, then they said to put on the 3D glasses and broke out all 3D trailers for films coming out as far away as July 2009. They were Up, Coraline, Monsters vs. Aliens & Ice Age 3. It's a smart way to get the glasses on in advance of the film, but in this short attention span society advertising for films 9 months in advance is a lifetime away. Coraline looks interesting because it's from the director of Nightmare Before Christmas. Ice Age 3 looked more like an exclusive scene just for the trailer, not something from a film, but it was funny. On the other hand, there is no real wow factor when the film starts in 3D because you've just seen almost 10 minutes of 3D trailers.
    To cover the 3D for the film all I can say is it works when it's all CGI and what they do mostly is put the characters out over the backgrounds. They really showcase it in the action scene in the beginning that is there to trick you into thinking that's what the film is about  instead of Bolt acting. After that they really don't do anything exciting with the 3D, it's more of a layered thing than the old gimmick of suddenly having something come out at you that would make you duck or anything like that. Overall I wouldn't say the 3D was totally disappointing, just that to me it wasn't what good 3D was all about - exciting in your face fun. Only in the last scene did they really get back to it with the syringe coming out and getting blown up all over. It seems the film was originally made in 2D and they decided to go with 3D as it is becoming more popular. I'd like to see a film that was made exclusively in the 3D process and not released in 2D to see if it works out better.
    I saw in the trailers that Malcolm's character would play the bad guy in the Bolt show and figured he would only be in the beginning and the end and I was right. I was hoping for some kind of twist that either he was so evil he caused Bolt to disappear to boost his star power and try to steal the show for himself or there would be a scene of him when production was shut down being all boring and playing golf. He's just your basic James Bond, You Only Live Twice, Blofeld ripoff. Grey suit and cats is the give away. All he really gets to do is spout some good old villain lines like "his guts will spill one way or another", "I am irked, but that will not do." and "labyrinthine mind of yours." It's nothing big, but is just fun to her him snarl it out.
    An old guy like Travolta doing the voice of a young dog in a Disney kids movie seems like a very odd choice. Since they have their biggest star voicing Penny you'd think they'd have another one of their teen stars voicing Bolt like Joe Jonas to attract in the young girls. That being said Travolta does a good job on the voice and doesn't sound too much like himself, but you can tell it's him.
    Miley has a husky southern voice when she talks that almost sounds like a guy. In this film she is a bit more toned down to sound more like a younger girl. You can't tell it's her and she doesn't really stand out where you would say she was great or anything. It was average and I don't think it'll open any doors for her unless the film makes a massive pile of money. I'm sure Disney things she'll help sell the film, but the most people need to know to get them there is it's Disney and it's animated. If her fans go just because of her they might be disappointed that she really isn't in the film much and doesn't do anything really coo.
    The stand out roles are Mittens and Rhino. Mittens has a tough New York girl voice that is done excellent by Susie Essman who is new to the whole voicing a kids movie experience and I'm sure will get more work from it. But it's Mark Walton as Rhino that steals the show. On the opposite side all he is known for is doing animation and the temp voices of his characters that usually turn out better than a known actor. He's perfect as the hamster who views life through the prism of a TV. He is really the comic relief and the great sidekick He got all the best and most quotable lines. He should be a breakout star and get his own film. In the theater he got the biggest laughs especially with the kids. No other actors had any roles of significant size, just a couple lines each.
    The pigeons are funny, but there are so many of them. There is a bunch in New York, then again in Hollywood and more in the south. Each adapts the style of the area. The animation on them is great as they all have different colored necks and really have the moves down on the heads that twitch when nothing is happening like in real life. Even though the animation of the film is all CGI, it is top notch and almost looks like the old style in that it flows so well. There is a great attention to detail and doing the clear hamster ball must've taken some serious work.
    The only real plot hole is the filming of the TV show. There is one scene where they make a huge production over how the film has to be done in 1 take so the dog believes it's real life. There is no way in the world they could film anything in one take, even a reality show. The amount of sets, crew, lights, cameras, film, etc. is enormous. Even a 4 minute music video takes 2-3 days to make.
    This is a good film mainly because it is different. It's not the old good vs. evil, bad guy tries to take over, good guy fights the bad guy and win kinda stuff. In fact there is on bad guy at all. The closest is the agent who is just a jerk. It's the Truman Show meets a road trip filled with touching self discovery. It's great for kids and adults can enjoy it too. There is no potty humor, cursing or anything sexual. It's good clean family fun and I would recommend it to anyone. There is nothing wrong with it except there isn't enough of Malcolm's character and the 3D while good, didn't blow me away.

Rating: 8/10

©2008 Alex D. Thrawn for www.MalcolmMcDowell.net