Disney animation has come a long way from Steamboat Willy, and it’s definately taken another bold step since Toy Story. 3-D animated features have been attempted before, but Bolt in 3-D leaves those red and blue lense days in the dust. The last animated movie I watched in 3-D was Beowulf, and it reminded me of the one thing I hate in 3-D movie…the animator’s desire – no – unquenchable NEED to remind you that the film you are watching isn’t a normal animated movie. It’s as if there’s an unwritten rule in the studio that pleads for them to take the viewer out of the story by making the characters point and jab things at the audience incessantly. Newsflash: We get it. Except for a minor and unintrusive faux pas involving a packing peanut, and one good-natured-tongue-in-cheek jab at the end, Disney gets it too.
Speaking of 3-D animation, Bolt was nothing short of fantastic. The depth of field was shown beautifully. At times, I felt that if I could just squint a little bit harder, I would be able to see deeper into the horizon than what was shown.
The voice acting was well casted. John Travolta voices Bolt who, much like Truman from the Truman Show, is unaware that the life he leads is all part of a hit television series. He lives his life to protect his person, Penny (Miley Cyrus), from the evil Dr. Calico (Malcolm McDowell) and his evil cat (Diedrich Bader) . The difference between Bolt and The Truman Show, however, is that the story happens when he escapes and has to save Penny from the clutches of his arch enemies. Susie Essman lends her voice beautifully as Mittens to help pepper a healthy dose of cynicism throughout as she tries to make Bolt realize he’s just a normal dog, and then there’s Rhino. Mark Walton voices Rhino the hamster, Bolt’s biggest and most excitable fan. Without question, he exuberantly steals each and every scene he is in.
If you only see one animated film this year, skip Madagascar 2 and see Bolt. In 3-D if you can.
