Bolt (2008)

	Also Known As: -
	Year of first release: 2008
	Director: Byron Howard (Tangled), Chris Williams (Big Hero 6)
	Actors (voices): John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman
	Country: USA
	Genre: Animation, Action, Comedy
	Conditions of visioning: 08.11.2015, HD VOD, Home cinema
Synopsis: Action hero believing his movies to be the truth, the dog Bolt (Travolta) ends up alone at the other end of the USA, having to face the real world.
Review: Amazing that I had never dared watching this movie since its release in 2008 because I assumed it was only for kids, and now it became one of my favorite animated films, not far behind The Incredibles. Not knowing the full story, at first I thought: "Naah, is this for real?! A bit over-the-top isn't it?". And in fact it is, until you discover the true nature of Bolt's world. Then the fun really begins, mostly articulated around the contrast between Bolt's behavior (terribly offbeat but often perfectly placed into a different context) and the real world in which he meets decisive characters like Mitten the cat and most importantly for me the ultimate couch potato / Bolt fan in the shape of Rhino the Hamster. Kudos to the designers of this hilarious side-kick: background, voice, character, animation... I seriously laughed several times and cannot help giggling when thinking about it. I also had good laughs from a bunch of Italian pigeons that even if they don't appear very often hit the spot every time. The animation of their movement has something so realistic and comic at the same time. Beyond those fantastic characters I also liked very much a story part-way between road-trip, redemption, discovery of your true self, friendship and courage. And behind animal faces with known actors' voices there is also a strong mise en abyme of the cinema industry very well executed. Warmly recommended to both the kid and adult in you.
Rating: 9 /10