by Manny The Movie Guy

Created on: November 20, 2008

In recent years, Walt Disney Pictures' animated films do not match the quality of the movies the studio makes in collaboration with Pixar Animation. If the flick does not have Pixar's stamp of approval, chances are it's not that great.

I hate to sound elitist but just this year alone, the Disney/Pixar movie "WALL-E" trumps even those highly-rated animated films such as "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who" and "Kung Fu Panda."

The reason I'm putting "Bolt" under my Pixar magnifying glass is because the movie is the first Walt Disney Animation Studios film that's conceived and produced under the guidance of John Lasseter, the Oscar-winning director of "Toy Story," "A Bug's Life," "Toy Story 2," and "Cars."

Pixar's brand of animation magically blends high-tech wizardry and heart-tugging plotlines. While the new Disney-only produced film "Bolt" uses the ultra-cool Disney Digital 3-D to its advantage, it's missing narrative complexity to make it a truly great movie.

"Bolt" still has its own magical elements akin to classic Disney films. The moral story at its heart is about the value of friendship.
In the movie, the dog Bolt (voiced by John Travolta) strikes unexpected camaraderie with a cat named Mittens (Susie Essman) and a TV-obsessed hamster named Rhino (Mark Walton).

The storyline is similar to Jim Carrey's "The Truman Show." Bolt is a primetime TV star who does not know he's acting. He believes that his day is always filled with adventure, danger, and intrigue to save his owner Penny (voiced by Miley Cyrus).

Everyone is in on the joke except poor Bolt. The producers behind the show want to keep it that way to get realistic acting from the loveable canine. So when Bolt is accidentally shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to New York City, he must learn how to face reality in order to get back to his beloved Penny who he lovingly calls "my person." All together now, awwwwww.

Lasseter and company made an engaging road trip movie that kids will love but adults may find a bit complacent. The story follows a by-the-book narrative line that leads, where else, but to a happy ending.

Yet, there are two stand-out characters in the movie that made the film much more enjoyable.
Mittens and Rhino provided humor to an otherwise morose story of a lost dog.

What's with Disney and lost dog movies lately? "Beverly Hills
Chihuahua" is about a canine lost in Mexico, while "Bolt" is about a cuddly dog looking for his way back home.

But truth be told, "Bolt" will make an excellent addition to your collection of animated Disney classics.
While it's not as great as "Lady and the Tramp," for example, it's still drawn well with a satisfactory storyline.
Try to catch this film in 3-D!
And for that, "Bolt" gets 3 animated barking kisses

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