The first Disney CGI ’toon produced since Pixar major domo John Lasseter took creative control of Walt Disney Animation Studios, Bolt has something of a cobbled-together, Chinese-menu feel. Its story of a dog that must travel across country to find his way home inevitably recalls classic live-action Disney fare like 1963’s The Incredible Journey (and the less incredible 1993 remake, Homeward Bound). The movie’s superhero elements — Bolt is a pampered pup who plays an invincible Rin Tin Tin-like superdog on a popular TV series — hearkens back to Pixar’s The Incredibles. But like last year’s Meet the Robinsons, Bolt is out in both “flat” and digital 3-D versions. If you can find a theater near you that offers the latter option, it’s definitely worth it. Movies may be getting worse these days, but the bells and whistles are better than ever. HH 1/2
This article appears in Nov 19-25, 2008.