PAGE 28 - KANATA KOURIER-STANDARD - DECEMBER 19, 2008

REEL REVIEWS

Arts & Entertainment

Animation offers bolts of hilarity

3.5 OUT OF 5 STARS
KATIE BRADFORD
KOURIER-STANDARD

Christmas is the time to get in touch with your inner child, and indulge. So this week I loaded up on candy, got my 3D glasses, laughed my butt off and saw Bolt. Luckily, I wasnt disappointed. The 3D glasses are also classically hilarious, especially when you have to wear them on top of your normal glasses. In fact, I think more adults should see animated movies. I mean, I see them often because I have to, but I also truly enjoy most of them. Disney and Pixar are experiencing a type of second golden age in terms of animation, something they lost for a while after the Lion King era, and continue to risk with ridiculous sequels and prequels to some of their most beloved classics (No, I do not want to see Lady and the Tramp 2; its not happening). Now, with great Pixar films like Finding Nemo, Ratatouille and the critically

KATIE BRADFORD acclaimed Wall-E, animated films are enjoying a great new form of notoriety. While Bolt is not a Pixar film, it is produced by Disneys Animation Studio, and has a lot of Pixar names behind it. Add in the fact that its available in 3D, and its a fun and light family film out just in time for the holidays, when children will need entertaining and parents will need a break. Bolt (voiced by John Travolta) is a dog who believes his person, Penny (Miley Cyrus) is in constant danger from a super villain called Calico (Malcolm McDowell). What he doesnt

know is that its all an act. He is the star of one of TVs most popular shows, and Penny is an actress. They keep the dog in the dark about the show to keep his performance authentic. However, when Penny is kidnapped, Bolt breaks out of his trailer intent on saving the little girl, only to find himself accidentally shipped across the country and in a strange new world. Along the way he meets Mittens (Susie Essman), a rough and tumble street cat he believes to be involved in the disappearance, and Rhino (Mark Walton), a fan-boy hamster in a ball who is geared up for whatever Bolt has in store. The true comedy comes from Essman and Walton as Mittens and Rhino. Rhino in particular is so ridiculous and over the top that it had me in stitches. Also, the pigeon schtick that runs through the entire movie is side-splitting. Overall, if you need a film to take your kids to thats heartwarming, speaks to petlovers, and doesnt bore you to bits, Bolt is an excellent choice this holiday season.

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MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE PARTNERS AND STAFF AT COX, MERRITT & CO. CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
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