Bolt is a lively, family-friendly Disney adventure that young viewers will happily settle into.
The story opens with seven-year-old Penny, voiced by Miley Cyrus, who adopts a White Swiss Shepherd puppy she names Bolt, played by John Travolta. Five years later, the two are stars of a hit action TV series, battling the schemes of the villainous Dr. Calico. To keep Bolt’s performance sharp, the show’s director works hard to convince him that his superpowers — including his trademark “super bark” — are real. Penny is uneasy with the ruse, knowing Bolt can never leave the set without the truth becoming clear.
During one cliffhanger episode, Penny’s character is kidnapped. Bolt believes the danger is real, escapes the studio, and accidentally ends up inside a packing crate of peanuts. Knocked unconscious and shipped across the country, he lands in New York City. Lost and confused, Bolt meets Mittens, a wary, streetwise cat voiced by Susie Essman, and insists they must return to Hollywood to rescue Penny.
Back at the studio, producers quickly replace Bolt with another White Swiss Shepherd so the show can go on, despite Penny’s reluctance. Meanwhile, Bolt and Mittens begin an eventful cross-country journey. In Ohio, they tangle with animal control and pick up an unlikely ally: Rhino, an exuberant hamster and Bolt super-fan, voiced by Mark Walton. The trio presses on toward California, forging an unexpected bond along the way.
Once they reach Hollywood, one final crisis strikes on the studio lot. But this is Disney, and the film brings things home with a warm, satisfying ending. Bolt and Penny are reunited, and Penny adopts both Mittens and Rhino, giving the trio a real home at last.
Bolt is earnest, energetic, and sweet-natured — a gentle reminder that sometimes the greatest superpower is loyalty.
Bolt. Directed by Chris Williams and Byron Howard. Walt Disney Animation. Voiced by John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman. Genre adventure. Duration 1 hr., 36 min. Rated PG. Released 2016. Streaming on Disney+, Fandango, Apple, Prime.
