DVD Review: Bolt

Directed By: Byron Howard and Chris Williams
Screenplay By: Dan Fogelman and Chris Williams
Produced By: Clark Spencer
Starring: John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman and Mark Walton


Every weekend, millions of families take a trip to go see a movie. Most prefer to see a fun-filled, laughter inducing movie that will make the children happy. From directors Byron Howard and Chris Williams comes thrills and adventures filled with stunts and silliness. Bolt is a movie that takes the most unlikeliest set of animals and throws them together.

Bolt (John Travolta) is a genetically altered super dog that protects his human, Penny (Miley Cyrus). From the opening scene, we follow Bolt and Penny as they dodge evil henchman after evil henchman to save Penny's father. As a member of the audience, we are made to believe this is going to be an action-packed movie with a lot of thrills and nail-biting close calls. We closely watch as Bolt assists Penny hoping that they will make it out unharmed while knowing that the heroes could never be injured. This is what we expect from years and years of watching our favorite superheroes.

When Bolt and Penny finally beat all the henchman, we think Penny will be able to save her father. That is until she she steps into her trailer. All the excitement up to this point was shot purposefully for a television show. In the back of our minds we're thinking, "What?" We don't expect to be fooled in this way. Although we know the truth now, there is someone who still believes this is all real: Bolt. Bolt is kept on the set at all times to ensure that he believes that it is real. He knows nothing of the truth. So when Penny gets kidnapped for the show, Bolt believes Penny really is kidnapped. Angry, Bolt escapes from his trailer.

After some mishaps, Bolt ends up on the other side of the country. Knowing he'll need help to get back to Penny, Bolt enlists the help of the enemy of all dogs, a cat named Mittens (Susie Essman). Still refusing to believe reality, Bolt drags Mittens along for the ride. During their road trip across America, they meet a hamster in a ball looking for excitement, Rhino (Mark Walton). With the addition of a new team member comes more laughter. Rhino serves as comedic relief. No matter what it is Rhino does, it will be sure to entice laughs from anyone. His laughter becomes contagious and with it comes a warm-fuzzy feeling. You can't help but to fall in love with Rhino.

Aside from all the comedy, there is also a seriousness when Bolt finally decides to accept reality and when we learn of Mittens' past. In both instances, there is no laughter as we watch both characters desperately searching for answers. But with each other's help, Bolt and Mittens find exactly what they want. From here, their relationship develops from bitter rivals to good friends. Their development can be summed up in one word: awww. This is also the feeling we get when we watch the ending scenes.

Bolt is a movie that has a wide audience range. Although it is targeted mostly towards a younger audience, anyone can enjoy it. Filled with thrills, laughter and heart-wrenching scenes, we come out with smiles upon our faces. We can't help watching just how each character will turn out in the end: better or worse. As we follow their adventures, we hope for the former.