Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Bolt 3D Blu-ray Movie Review

Disney's deluded pup battles it out in three dimensions...

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown November 2, 2011

If Academy Award-winning filmmaker and Pixar-mastermind John Lasseter's 2006 promotion to Chief Creative Officer of both Pixar and Disney's animation studios proved anything, it's that the universe really does have a sense of justice. Even though Pixar was prepared to divorce from Disney and primed to become its own entity, Lasseter somehow nabbed everything he wanted and deserved for his brainchild, solidified his company's standings within the studio, and inherited the difficult task of righting Walt's once-proud ship and repairing Disney animation's lagging reputation. After sinking his teeth into Meet the Robinsons late in the game in 2006, convincing its director to scrap almost 60% of its scenes and reworking many key plot-points and characters to produce a surprisingly strong film, Lasseter turned his focus to Bolt, Walt Disney Animation Studio's 48th animated feature. The question, though, was could he possibly transplant that patented Pixar magic to a film helmed by two first-time directors in a struggling Disney division?

Super-powered, crime-fighting wonderdog, Bolt (voiced by John Travolta), regularly risks life and limb to protect his owner, Penny (a miscast Miley Cyrus), from a nefarious mad scientist named Dr. Calico (Malcolm McDowell). Or at least that's what an eccentric television director (James Lipton) wants the canine to believe. In reality, Bolt is little more than an entrenched method actor; a naive celebrity manipulated into believing he can leap endless chasms, fire laser beams from his eyes and route entire armies with a single bark. Sworn to secrecy, the cast and crew of this elaborate Truman Show production does everything in their power to ensure Bolt believes everything he sees. But when an episode cliffhanger leaves the loyal pup convinced that Penny has been kidnapped, he escapes his trailer and sets off to rescue her. Armed with the mistaken assumption that styrofoam has robbed him of his superpowers, he captures a cat (Susie Essman) he believes to be an agent of Dr. Calico, acquires the assistance of his biggest fan -- a bubble-bound hamster named Rhino (Mark Walton) -- and sets out to save Penny at all costs.

Unfortunately, the film's sharp premise is undermined by a mesmerizing opening sequence that leaves one wondering why Bolt wasn't simply the story of a super-powered dog. The early action is so thrilling and cleverly choreographed that the rest of the flick feels a bit empty and lifeless in its wake. Aside from the introduction of Rhino -- a terribly amusing addition to an otherwise uneven lineup of supporting characters -- the tale only perks back up when the opportunity for further superheroics presents itself. That's not to say Bolt is a failure; far from it. At its core is lovable pup who discovers his true qualities lie within; not in sonic barks or gravity-defying acrobatics. The value of the message is undeniable and children will certainly take something away from the film's humble collection of life lessons. It only helps that the relationships that evolve between Penny, Bolt, Mittens and Rhino are well-written, and wonderfully developed. Bolt proves himself to be as worthy of love as he is willing to give it, and Travolta, Essman, Walton and others make the most of their performances.

And Bolt's target audience -- the wide-eyed tots and bouncing grade-schoolers Disney has tucked beneath its wings -- will shrug off its disjointedness and hone in on the adventure, no matter how high it flies or slow it crawls. While certain themes will sail over young children's heads, Bolt's common heroics will be just as meaningful to kids as his more action-oriented antics. My son took the story at face value, never once complaining about the issues his aging old-man couldn't seem to work past. He did bury his head into my side on more than one occasion, and parents should be aware that the third act is fairly intense and potentially frightening. Bolt lacks that patented Pixar magic we've all grown to adore and feels much more like the standard Disney fare fans have grown accustomed to over the years. That said, it still manages to rise above the fray with genuine heart and soul.

Bolt 3D Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Bolt's 3D Blu-ray release is, for the most part, a successful one. Its 1080p/MVC-encoded video presentation exhibits excellent depth and dimensionality. Bolt's furry muzzle noses its way into your home theater, electricity crackles along clawed fingers that seem to reach out of the screen, deadly syringes shatter in blazing bursts of green goo, henchmen dangle precariously (and convincingly) from a bridge, helicopter debris showers down from above, sky scrapers stretch toward the skies, the unconscious remnants of an advancing evil army lay scattered across a desert that seems to go on forever... I could go on and on. Granted, the 3D eye-candy isn't as flashy or aggressive once Bolt steps out into the real world, but even then, the movie sets, city parks, country fields, sleepy rest stops and colorful cross-country hotspots the not-so-superpowered pup encounters boast the same absorbing 3D oomph that enhances the film's action scenes and superheroics. However, that depth and prevailing darkness of some scenes comes at a slight cost. The film is prone to faint but frequent cross-talk (or ghosting, as it's more commonly known) that occasionally draws attention away from the otherwise striking imagery on display. It isn't exactly an obvious or excessive issue, nor does it derail the entire presentation. In fact, you'll need to focus your attention on the film's backgrounds during specific scenes to see it at all. But there it is, disrupting the monitors behind the Director as he lectures Mindy From the Network; splitting the small lettering on Penny's camera; stirring the grass as Mittens strolls by; licking the flames during Bolt's daring third-act rescue; and generally making a nuisance of itself. Of course, it will be more problematic on some displays than others, so know thy set and prepare accordingly.

Otherwise, I really don't have much to complain about. Bolt loves to dazzle. Colors are warm and summery, contrast is bright and consistent, clarity is outstanding, hair and fur are refined, and the film's painterly backdrops are as gorgeous as ever. And while detail isn't as tack-sharp as newcomers might expect, most every instance of softness traces back to the filmmaker's intentions. Moreover, I didn't catch sight of any significant compression artifacts or digital anomalies, and what little banding I noticed was entirely negligible. All things considered, Bolt looks great in 3D and should easily please 3D fans of all ages.

Bolt 3D Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

From the opening volley of its high-speed city-street chase to the raging inferno of its harrowing climax, Disney's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track will blow you and your family away. LFE output is supercharged and superpowered, shaking the floor and rattling the windows with every satisfying explosion, crashing helicopter, hurtling train and collapsing ceiling the film has to offer. Not to be outdone, the rear speakers make sure they're not forgotten, actively and aggressively launching an attack on the senses. Laser-guided directional effects whiz from channel to channel, traffic separates and swerves past the listener, wind-swept forests and desert battles are wholly enveloping, and every studio set, mobile home and open countryside sounds exactly as it should. Dynamics pack the heaviest punches and capture the tiniest sonic touches, pans are so transparent they're practically invisible, and dialogue is crisp, clean and impeccably prioritized, no matter how quiet or bombastic Bolt's adventure becomes.

Bolt 3D Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Super Rhino (HD, 5 minutes): Often funnier than the feature film itself, this bonus animated short finds our lovable ball-dwelling hamster being blessed with superpowers and tasked with rescuing Penny and Bolt from the clutches of the evil Dr. Calico.
• Act, Speak! The Voices of Bolt (HD, 10 minutes): The best and most extensive behind-the-scenes featurette on the disc takes a look at a variety of recording sessions with key members of the cast, as well as comments from the directors and executive producer John Lasseter. While it's ultimately nothing more than a slick-n-syrupy EPK, it provides a decent glimpse into the production and the development of the characters.
• Creating the World of Bolt (HD, 7 minutes): An all-too-short exploration of the various stylistic choices, design decisions, and artistic techniques that produced the film's painterly visuals.
• A New Breed of Directors, A Filmmakers' Journey (HD, 5 minutes): Rookie directors Chris Williams and Byron Howard discuss the project, their vision, and the ongoing themes they tried to massage into the film.
• Deleted Scenes (HD, 7 minutes): As usual, the cuts in this collection are presented with storyboards.
• Bolt's Be-Awesome Mission (HD): A three-level, interactive arcade game exclusive to the Blu-ray edition of the film. Clunky and short, it will probably only amuse your kids for a few minutes at best.
• Bolt Galleries (HD): The 4-disc release also includes four exclusive art and photo galleries that cover the film's character designs, visual development, storyboards, and more.
• I Thought I Lost You (HD, 2 minutes): A music video featuring the song of the same name, as performed by John Travolta and Miley Cyrus.
• In Session With John Travolta and Miley Cyrus (HD, 1 minute): A brief visit to the actors' recording session for "I Thought I Lost You."

Bolt 3D Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

With Bolt 3D, the proud pup leaps into the real world and into your home theater. Some display-dependent ghosting hinders the film's video presentation a bit, but not enough to prevent Bolt from making a sizable impact, especially with such a powerful DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track backing its every move. The only real disappointment is that the 4-disc set's special features come up short. Be that as it may, Bolt 3D is another strong 3D release from Disney and yet another indication that the Mouse House is about to make the 3D marketplace more crowded.