A note to Sasha and Malia Obama: Your Dad is pretty busy right now trying to come up with a plan to save the economy and end two wars as our new president-elect, so you might want to give him a break and postpone his need to address his most pressing concern — picking out a first pooch.
You can do that by getting your canine fix at the multiplex instead today from “Bolt.” The title’s little white German Shepherd may not be hypoallergenic, but his new movie is suited for you and your peers.
Alas, this routine Disney animated feature focuses more on cartoon action and less on artistry. Kids will enjoy its cute critters, of course. But they won’t find the duel level wit or character interest of this month’s better family-friendly animation, “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa.”
Even if “Bolt” fails to fully exploit the possibilities of it, this adventure tail — er, um, tale — does flow from a clever premise. It’s “The Truman Show” meets Animal Planet, sort of.
Bolt (blandly voiced by John Travolta) doesn’t realize that he is the secretly filmed star of a hit television show. His “person,” the little girl Penny (Miley Cyrus), is really an actress who helps an extensive production crew hide the truth from him to elicit a more realistic performance.
Unfortunately, Bolt does believe his character’s identity as a super-powered pup with bionic strength and agility. Cluelessly, he “protects” Penny and vanquishes fictional bad guys such as the “villainous” Dr. Calico (Malcolm McDowell). Thus, when Bolt escapes his Hollywood set for the first time and gets hopelessly lost, his delusions of grandeur make his escapade to find his way back across the country even more fraught.
Two comic relief sidekicks join him on his journey of canine self-discovery: Mittens (Susie Essman) is a cynical Manhattan feline, eventually charmed by her new buddy. And, as expressively voiced by Mark Walton, the goofy hamster Rhino is the movie’s one stroke of inspired hilarity; he’s a gung-ho groupie from a trailer park who can’t wait to face danger with his idol.
Debuting co-directors Chris Williams (who also co-wrote the script) and Byron Howard use facile chase scenes and sight gags — plus some well-animated, wisecracking pigeons — to make “Bolt” accessible. But if you’re over 12 years old, you may want to bolt.
Quick info
“Bolt”
2 out of 5 Stars
Vocal Stars: John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Mark Walton
Directors: Byron Howard and Chris Williams
Rated PG for some mild action and peril.
Running Time: 95 minutes
