Bolt

Question: When will people stop comparing all animation to what Pixar does? Answer: When there are more films of such quality for everyone, like Bolt. A clever, brisk and funny film with likeable animal heroes (Bolt is great, but the ironic cat, the moronic pigeons and the maniac hamster are not at all bad either), a beginning that perfectly takes its cues from action movies and TV series of all kinds, something for the youngest viewers and a wink to the adult audience... The moral lesson at the end is there, of course, but it is delivered so nicely (no tears or long hugs) that it cannot offend. Plus Powell's great music, good dubbing (Travolta is Travolta)... Four pure stars. (18.06.2010)

I have a feeling that this week I didn't choose completely bad movies to watch. "Bolt - Dog for Every Case" is not a brilliant animated film, but it's quite suitable for entertainment in the afternoon with children. Bolt is a special dog and definitely fits every case, at least when it comes to his owner Penny. Bolt is a spy dog and has many great abilities. Or at least it seems that way, and Bolt truly believes it. However, due to an unfortunate incident, he ends up in the real world, where he realizes that everything is not as it seems at first glance and as he has always thought. The world is a place where he doesn't have to be afraid, but his super barking, melting gaze, or anything similar won't help him. Because of his lack of knowledge about the real world, he gets into comical situations, either due to misunderstanding or being taken advantage of and manipulated by others because of his naivety. However, he manages to make friends and in the end, we witness a happy ending. I am quite curious whether this is only to prevent children from crying in the cinema, or if there is another reason. The fact is that an animated film from which children leave crying, maybe even having a tantrum, will not be a good image for society. After all, main heroes don't die. They might lose a leg at most. More information: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/10/ong-bak-pad-treti-rise-bolt-zathura-3g.html (01.03.2013)

That hamster was a baller. The silver screen never saw a weirder TV serial fan than this before. The cynical kitty was also pretty cool and Bolt is every inch a charmer. Their journey is predictable, but also filled with action, wisecracks and enough of self irony, that it will entertain adults as well as kids. And Powell’s music is delicious once again. Everything is exactly as it should be. - Wow you are so cute. I had exactly the same hamster when I was a kid. - I’m going to kill you! (09.03.2009)

I openly admit that the works of the Disney studio repel me due to its orientation towards non-conflict family films, films so to speak "for everyone," and its negative influence on the form of animated films, and I am somewhat biased toward them. That's why I was even more surprised that this new full-length animation is not only watchable but is also equal to the best animated films of the year. If I compare it to WALL-E, the Pixar film is better in terms of animation technique, but emotionally, I like Bolt better. The first half of the film deserves a clear five stars, but in the second half, where ironic exaggeration was replaced by sentiment and heroic pathos in the style of Lassie Come Home, I had to lower it to 4 stars. However, the first part reigns with lightness and craftsmanship virtuosity. Thanks to the moderate irony, these scenes can be appreciated by both fans of similar action spectacles and their critics who perceive these scenes as parodies. Well-drawn characters, with Bolt appearing as Don Quixote and his companion, a black cat with her practical, somewhat cynical approach to the surrounding world, like Sancho Panza. Nice, dynamic, and well-constructed scenes, simply a quality film for children, one that is even easily digestible for their adult supervisors. Overall impression: 85%. (01.03.2009)

The megalomaniacal intro, which manages in a split second to both honor and parody what Michael Bay loves so much, unfortunately, represents the high point of the entire film. It then spends the subsequent ninety minutes dealing with one personal realization, which it gets to through stiff dialogue, forced jokes, and lemonade sentiment, kept afloat by a replaced John Powell and a hamster with a hellish cadence of deadly catchphrases. The rest of it is unwatchable. (27.02.2009)