Bolt

Looks like Disney has got its groove back! Bolt is Disney’s first film written for and realised in 3d.  Though it’s produced with Pixar’s John Lasseter; the film was entirely created at Walt Disney Animation studios.  It’s great to finally see Disney produce a good, clean film for a young audiences.

Casting was interesting. I’m not sure if I completely bought John Travolta’s performance as the canine lead, but after sitting through it, it grew on me. Maybe it’s the fact that he delivered the performance in his regular voice, which already has a very distinguishable timbre? I thought that Mylie Cyrus would be too annoying upon the announcement of her casting of Penny, but I guess her naturally annoying nature helped to drive that sickeningly sweet human lead.

The visual style was something to warm to straight away. Matte painted backgrounds are subtley painterly and used for the majority of the film, giving it a very 2D feeling.  The character designs were very Disney of course .  Animals designs were a treat to look at and moved well, but the human characters feel a bit unloved and cold.  It even feels like the quality of animation that drove the human characters was a bit on the low end of the budget - though the action sequences were sublime.

Story is pretty neatly rounded for a children’s film. It sits right in the pocket of genre that kids should be exposed to, and what Disney used to do best. Lots of slapstick gags for kids, and crazy chase scenes and action for those slightly older kids.

I feel like big things are going to come from Disney in the next 3 years; finally rolling out another 2d film (The Princess and the Frog). Finally, Disney is bouncing back.

Rating:

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