Bionic Bunny - Movie Review - Bolt
Saturday night I had the pleasure of attending the wrap party for Disney's new feature animation film, BOLT, at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. As a lot of you know, I get to go to these things every couple of years because Mr. bunny! works for Walt Disney Animation Studios in the technology dept., so this review might be a teeny bit biased:
Bolt (John Travolta),who is the star of his own t.v. show along with his beloved Penny (Miley Cyrus), has been raised to believe that his super-hero life on-screen is all true. He's never experienced real life in any way, and the show's producers go out of their way to shield him from cameras, crew, and special effects. So as long as bolt is kept in the dark, he believes he has super powers, and that all his and Penny's adventures are real.
One day the producers go too far, and as a result, Bolt is accidently shipped to New York. Trying to get home, he teams up with pessimistic alley cat Mittens (Susie Essman) and Rhino (Mark Walton), a television addicted hamster, who just happens to be a huge fan of our hero, Bolt. Helped along the way by flocks of pigeons (also scene stealers), they slowly work their way back to Hollywood.
Okay, granted I got to watch this in a theatre filled with the people that made this movie. been there, done that. There's a different feel to this one. The characters are sympathetic without being too preachy. The action is tremendous (warning-- the first few minutes might be a little loud for very little ones), and it really doesn't drag much. And yes, the hamster steals the show. One of the guys brought his son, I'm guessing he must have been around 14. I asked him what he thought of it-- he told me the trailers didn't do it justice, and I agree.
What really grabbed me was the CG work. There's some new, ground-breaking stuff (patent pending!) that is just truly amazing! The textures look hand painted, which is a huge step forward. and lighting: reflections on glass, Rhino's ball, animal fur... and the effects! I don't want to give anything away, but i was blown away by some of the action scenes! The "jailbreak" scene with hamster Rhino is so realistically slathered in drool I had to say "eueeeew!!"!
Trying to be non-biased and non-technical, I still have to say BOLT is going to give PIXAR a run for it's money. The story moves at a brisk pace, and even when being formulaic, manages to throw in a couple of surprises. There are plenty of laugh out loud moments, and even the main theme song is a toe-tapper. Another plus--( a pet peeve of mine, because i've got a good ear for voices), I'm often distracted by popular actors in voice over roles, but I have to give Travolta credit, he only slipped through once or twice in quiet moments, otherwise you'd never have known.
BOLT, the movie, opens nationwide on November 21st, nationwide, rated PG.
As a movie goer, i'd say this is great entertainment for all ages, even dad.
As a Disney wife, I'd like to hope that this movie is FINALLY the movie they've been aiming for for the past 10 years. There was a good vibe in the room, and even in the after-party.
Buffet was catered by Wolfgang Puck catering, a CLEAR step up from the past few years! the food was very tasty, no rubber chicken and green beans for this happy crowd! The open bars were numerous, the live band was quite good, and the view was great (the hooker in the elevator was an interesting coda to the evening... we decided to take the escalator after that brief encounter!) security was really tight, but friendly.There where "gaming tables" (no money involved), blackjack, roulette, poker, craps, and an interesting room set-up. Everyone was happy, optimistic, well dressed (sorry, enty, the only velvet i saw was on the ladies!) No celebs, except for "new celeb" Mark Walton (voice of Rhino), who is actually a Disney employee who was thrilled to get the part, but that's another story. The lines were way too long to snap photos with the characters, sorry, guys!
Thanks for letting me "review" this... i WOULD recommend this one, even if you don't have kids, seriously. And I want to see a counter-review from whoever sees it first.
Bolt (John Travolta),who is the star of his own t.v. show along with his beloved Penny (Miley Cyrus), has been raised to believe that his super-hero life on-screen is all true. He's never experienced real life in any way, and the show's producers go out of their way to shield him from cameras, crew, and special effects. So as long as bolt is kept in the dark, he believes he has super powers, and that all his and Penny's adventures are real.
One day the producers go too far, and as a result, Bolt is accidently shipped to New York. Trying to get home, he teams up with pessimistic alley cat Mittens (Susie Essman) and Rhino (Mark Walton), a television addicted hamster, who just happens to be a huge fan of our hero, Bolt. Helped along the way by flocks of pigeons (also scene stealers), they slowly work their way back to Hollywood.
Okay, granted I got to watch this in a theatre filled with the people that made this movie. been there, done that. There's a different feel to this one. The characters are sympathetic without being too preachy. The action is tremendous (warning-- the first few minutes might be a little loud for very little ones), and it really doesn't drag much. And yes, the hamster steals the show. One of the guys brought his son, I'm guessing he must have been around 14. I asked him what he thought of it-- he told me the trailers didn't do it justice, and I agree.
What really grabbed me was the CG work. There's some new, ground-breaking stuff (patent pending!) that is just truly amazing! The textures look hand painted, which is a huge step forward. and lighting: reflections on glass, Rhino's ball, animal fur... and the effects! I don't want to give anything away, but i was blown away by some of the action scenes! The "jailbreak" scene with hamster Rhino is so realistically slathered in drool I had to say "eueeeew!!"!
Trying to be non-biased and non-technical, I still have to say BOLT is going to give PIXAR a run for it's money. The story moves at a brisk pace, and even when being formulaic, manages to throw in a couple of surprises. There are plenty of laugh out loud moments, and even the main theme song is a toe-tapper. Another plus--( a pet peeve of mine, because i've got a good ear for voices), I'm often distracted by popular actors in voice over roles, but I have to give Travolta credit, he only slipped through once or twice in quiet moments, otherwise you'd never have known.
BOLT, the movie, opens nationwide on November 21st, nationwide, rated PG.
As a movie goer, i'd say this is great entertainment for all ages, even dad.
As a Disney wife, I'd like to hope that this movie is FINALLY the movie they've been aiming for for the past 10 years. There was a good vibe in the room, and even in the after-party.
Buffet was catered by Wolfgang Puck catering, a CLEAR step up from the past few years! the food was very tasty, no rubber chicken and green beans for this happy crowd! The open bars were numerous, the live band was quite good, and the view was great (the hooker in the elevator was an interesting coda to the evening... we decided to take the escalator after that brief encounter!) security was really tight, but friendly.There where "gaming tables" (no money involved), blackjack, roulette, poker, craps, and an interesting room set-up. Everyone was happy, optimistic, well dressed (sorry, enty, the only velvet i saw was on the ladies!) No celebs, except for "new celeb" Mark Walton (voice of Rhino), who is actually a Disney employee who was thrilled to get the part, but that's another story. The lines were way too long to snap photos with the characters, sorry, guys!
Thanks for letting me "review" this... i WOULD recommend this one, even if you don't have kids, seriously. And I want to see a counter-review from whoever sees it first.
19 comments:
Thanks, Bunny! I wanted to see this, but was wondering if Travolta's voice would be distracting. I'm glad to hear it isn't too bad. :)
great review, bunny, thanks!
how cool to be married to a disney guy. sounds like it would be a lot of fun.
Bunny thanks for this. It will help me convince darling boyfriend to see this.
I hate to admit it, but since I first saw the trailer, I wanted to watch the whole movie because of one thing alone: Hamsterball. Rhino looks so f'ing cute. I don't care if I look like a pedobear in the audience, I need to see that hamster.
Liked your review Ms. Bunny. Want to know what Mr. Puck served you, though. You talked me into the idea of going to see this movie, though I don't know how I'll get the idea past my partner or my 14 year old son. Maybe I'll tell them it won at Sundance or something.
Dnfrommn - I thought the same thing! That hamster is hysterical. Reminds me of that squirrel in Ice Age. Now I gotta find a small person to go with me.
you should see the guy who actually voices rhino...
big nerdy looking fella, who was so thrilled to get the part, the other guys set him up when they let him know he got it-- filmed it and showed it before the movie!
I might take my son to see it, but I'm still bothered Travolta is in it. I don't really like paying for films big money $cios are in, because I know part of their profits are going towards Miscavige (note I did not say the "church" itself).
Dammit bunny, did you have to mention ground-breaking animation?
sorry!
and i agree with you... i was so disappointed to find out he was in this!
but the last two i went to were "meet the robinsons" and "chicken little". so you can see why i'm enthusiastic!
oh, and dn & mngddess, haven't you heard? you don't need little people to go to animateds any more! not only do we do it, my 27 yr. old. scruffy son and his friends go all the time!
it's a new era! yee-hah!
bunny - it's still weird being a single white male going to a cartoon. It was quite awkward watching Happy Feet (which was the last animated movie that I had to see because the trailer was so damned cute)
Great review Buns! We'll probably end up seeing it over a long weekend--I did want to go to see Madagascar 2 today, but I got voted down for the cheesecake factory.
I think I would be more enthusiastic if it didn't have Travolta & Miley in it.
Now, let's hear more about the hooker.
DN, you didn't see Wall-E? It may have been the single best movie I saw this year.
I have no qualms with going to see animated films without little folks. In fact, DN, you brought back a memory for me of when two friends and I went to opening night of Happy Feet. Could. Not. Resist. Of course, you know, I kind of look like I'm 15, which either makes it better or worse seeing animateds than if I looked my age.
Wall•E was good. Not the best Pixar movie, but it was pretty good.
I haven't seen Meet the Robinsons yet and it's been on TMN. Saw Chicken Little. Really thin plot, covered up by karaoke moments from the characters.
Love, love Toy Story still...
DN, where are you? We'll go together.....
These regular people movie reviews are not necessary. I can barely stand "qualified" movie reviews from JoeBlow.com. I know this site needs filler, as fantasy is hard to think of for the blinds and snark is rare in the random photos, but whatever. I rather read the crazy rantings of Ted. At least he is interesting and it takes some concentration to decipher his items, which most people aren't capable of*. "It makes my head hurt." Shut up and go back to school.
Ending sentences with prepositions is so "ungood." DUH! I know, it's the point, but you will hop on anything but the content.
i want to know if amy winfrey was there...
i doubt she reads the blog, but i saw a car with w/ a very amy decal on the back window....
sorry ent. i will seek answers on her site, unless you may know her??
and, well, kory, if you feel that way, just don't read the reviews here. easy out.
and bite me.
;)
Go Bunny!!! :)
ms. bunny!--it is wonderful that you had the insider's view of Bolt--please keep up with your reviews.
You also mooshki & dnfrommn.
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