IN THE hierarchy of movie heroes, a new generation is championing Bourne over Bond. So where does the even newer-generation Bolt fit in?
Bourne, if you don’t know, escapes with a bout of amnesia from the prospect of a watery grave, before gradually discovering, much to his surprise and confusion, he is, in fact, a multi-skilled and multi-talented super operative.
Bolt “escapes” with a bout of self-delusion from the cocoon of a TV studio, before gradually discovering, much to his surprise and confusion, he is not, in fact, a multi-skilled and multi-talented super operative.
You see, this shiny-nosed, smartly-animated, lightning-bolt-marked superdog believes he really possesses the extraordinary powers created by the special-effects magicians at work on the TV show he stars in.
The central identity crisis theme – “to see ourselves as others see us", if you like – is cleverly encapsulated in the opening sequence’s numerous reflections in various “mirrors” – a shiny limousine spinning through the air, the surface of a hi-tech helicopter gunship, the crash helmet of a ninja-style motorcycle pursuit rider.
And it’s Bolt, voiced by John Travolta, who fails to see the whole truth.
When he is set adrift in the real world for the first time, our whiter-than-white hero’s initial theory is that Styrofoam is subduing his powers in some kinda kooky kryptonite deal. But he eventually has to admit to himself he is just another run-of-the-mill mutt.
So how can he cross the country to be reunited with his distraught owner and save the day?
This comedy-action-adventure, the best Disney animated feature for some years, probably since Mulan back in 1998, was executive produced by Pixar genius John Lasseter.
Pixar, remember, is the hugely successful studio which launched the computer-animated revolution with Toy Story in 1995 and entered into an often contentious partnership with old Walt’s outfit.
Bolt, directed by Byron Howard and Chris Williams, takes the old-fashioned Disney, family-oriented animal magic and tags on some of the Pixar sheen, smarts and attention to detail – a bit like The Incredible Journey meets The Incredibles (one, like Bolt, saw three unlikely animal companions off on a trip, the other riffed on a similar “superheroes in the real world” schtick).
The Pixar connection is reinforced by a Lasseter-directed Cars spin-off short film that precedes the Disney doggie feature.
And Bolt, like Lasseter’s own Cars, mixes some fast, spectacular action and some undeniably draggy sequences.
As the cute canine slowly accepts he is not such a furry phenomenon after all, a streetwise moggy takes time – quite a bit of time – to help him discover the down-to-earth pleasures of being a real, ordinary dog.
A sequence where the cat teaches Bolt how to beg, and the animators capture every nuance of every tilt of the head, curl of the ears and pleading look in the eyes, is one of the movie’s highlights. But the general drop in pace for these “getting to know the outside world” bits and “importance of loyalty in friendships” stuff might have youngsters in the audience peering at their Finding Nemo watches to see if Marlin has swum past the top of the reef yet.
The relationship between Bolt and Mittens the cat strongly echoes another relationship in another Lasseter picture – the relationship between Woody and Jessie the Cowgirl in Toy Story 2.
Just as Jessie tried to tell Woody that toy owners grow up and away from their toys, before abandoning them altogether, Mittens tries to tell Bolt that most pet owners act the same way towards their charges (Mittens has gone through a traumatic experience to convince her of this theory, just as Jessie did). Even Bolt’s song (Barking At The Moon, written and performed by Jenny Lewis) is reminiscent of Jessie’s When She Loved Me (written by Randy Newman, sung by Sarah McLachlan).
But Bolt, the movie, manages to prove Mittens’ worst fears unfounded, while Bolt, the TV dog, still finds a way to be a hero without his imagined powers.
When it resembles a Bond-style, Bourne-style action picture, and particularly in its superbly-designed opening setpiece, Bolt deserves to take a bow wow. When it slows the pace to hammer home its life lessons, it deserves to leave with its tale between its legs.
But the good points outweigh the not-so-good, and the cleverly-executed finale should send you home with a wet nose and a grin on your face.
As well as Travolta, the voice cast also includes Susie (Curb Your Enthusiasm) Essman as Mittens; Mark Walton as a demented, scene-stealing hamster called Rhino; Malcolm McDowell as the villainous Dr Calico; and Miley Cyrus as Bolt’s owner, Penny.