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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.

Bolt
Walt Disney Pictures


8.2

based on 29 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 36 votes
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MPAA RATING: PG for some mild action and peril

Starring John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman, Mark Walton, Diedrich Bader, Malcolm McDowell, and Nick Swardson

More than just man’s best friend, Bolt is a modern day action hero. Raised on the set of a hit television show, Bolt believes he has amazing powers – like a devastating Superbark! But when he’s accidentally shipped to New York City, Bolt’s daredevil stunts no longer go according to plan. As reality begins to challenge his delusions, Bolt learns his whole life has been a lie. Or has it? Amidst the adversity and hard-knocks, Bolt will discover that a dog’s true superpower lies in his loyalty to the owner he loves. (Walt Disney Pictures)

GENRE(S):	Animation \| Comedy \| Family/Kids \| Fantasy \| Suspense/Thriller
WRITTEN BY:	Dan Fogelman Chris Williams
DIRECTED BY:	Chris Williams Byron Howard
RELEASE DATE:	DVD: March 24, 2009 Theatrical: November 21, 2008
RUNNING TIME:	96 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	USA

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Christian Science Monitor Robert Koehler

There's something both simple and sweet about Bolt, yet epic, that's entirely surprising.

Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

Bolt breaks no great new stylistic ground -- and yet it's a sturdy beaut.

Charlotte Observer Lawrence Toppman

Bolt has the magical quality of great animation, the ability to touch us without the hint of preachiness or manipulation.

Baltimore Sun Chris Kaltenbach

Bolt proves a refreshing throwback to the animated classics of yore.

The Onion (A.V. Club) Tasha Robinson

For the first time in years, it feels like Disney has done its namesake proud.

The New York Times A.O. Scott

What keeps Bolt fresh is an unaffected exuberance, a genuine sense of fun, that is expressed above all through obsessive attention to craft.

New York Magazine David Edelstein

As Bolt, John Travolta is inspired: His voice still cracks like an adolescent’s, and he has the perfect dopey innocence.

Village Voice Ella Taylor

Bolt carries two tales for the price of one, both handled by Disney veterans and first-time directors Chris Williams and Byron Howard with wit, grace, and the dazzling craftsmanship we've come to expect from the studio that's hitched its wagon to Pixar.

Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov

This is a Disney film, so there's never any real question regarding Bolt and his friends' ultimate success or failure, but the writing team of Dan Fogelman (Cars) and co-director Williams (Mulan) have concocted one of the most witty and often hilarious Disney outings in years.

Philadelphia Inquirer Carrie Rickey

While this charmer about a canine James Bond does not pack the emotional punch of "WALL-E," it's frisky fun to see the white shepherd get a new leash on life.

TV Guide Perry Seibert

This winning mix of exciting action, heart-tugging sentiment, and gentle character comedy makes Bolt yet another solid addition to Disney's history of family-friendly fare.

San Francisco Chronicle Ruthe Stein

It's doubtful that audiences go to animated features to hear movie stars talk. They go because a film sounds like fun and something their kids and maybe they themselves might enjoy. Bolt is all that and more.

Boston Globe Wesley Morris

This stuff is clever, in the reflexively satirical, self-aware way that many animated films are. It's not until the dog is accidentally shipped off to New York City that the movie lets you in on an altogether more interesting idea: It doesn't want to be that cool.

Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

At the end of the day, Bolt is a sweet Disney family film.

The Hollywood Reporter Michael Rechtshaffen

There's a terrific tenderness in Travolta's performance, while Cyrus and company are similarly effective.

Variety Todd McCarthy

Bears some telltale signs of Pixar's trademark smarts, but still looks like a mutt compared to the younger company's customary purebreds.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Andy Spletzer

As the voice of Bolt, John Travolta does a fine job and Disney star Miley Cyrus is fine as well, but neither one can overcome the lack of personality in their scripted characters.

Portland Oregonian M. E. Russell

Travolta does a nice job, but Bolt is of course the most boring, blandly cute character in the movie.

USA Today Claudia Puig

Bolt borrows amiably from a host of sources, including "The Incredible Journey," "Lilo and Stitch" and "Toy Story 2."

Miami Herald Rene Rodriguez

Has that formulaic, cookie-cutter feel typical of many Disney toons. The premise is inspired, but the follow-through is merely adequate.

Washington Post Dan Kois

As sprightly and determined as its fuzzy, yappy lead, the new Disney animated film Bolt works hard to be all things to all people, with mixed results.

Empire Damon Wise

The unlikely superhero of this film is the hamster, who brings the funny amid a flurry of weaker gags. But Bolt still has charm -- it just won't hit with the adults the way the best animated films can.

New York Daily News Joe Neumaier

Though every frame is great to look at, Bolt's script - by the co-writers of "Mulan" and "Cars" - lacks the wit of its closest Pixar relative, "The Incredibles." Rhino and some goofy pigeons provide the few laughs once the tale goes cross-country.

Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

Taken on its own terms, Bolt the movie certainly makes the cut.

Salon.com Stephanie Zacharek

Bolt is just too knowing; it keeps reminding us, loud and clear, of how culturally savvy it is.

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Liam Lacey

Both original and good; the problem is the original parts aren't good and the good parts aren't original.

Chicago Reader J.R. Jones

Adults won't find much to enjoy here, though the dog's high-octane action series serves as a perverse parody of Jerry Bruckheimer-style summer blockbusters.

New York Post Lou Lumenick

Sporadically entertaining, occasionally quite funny.

Chicago Tribune Michael Phillips

It's a seriously withholding action comedy, stingy on the wit, charm, jokes, narrative satisfactions and animals with personalities sharp enough for the big screen, either in 2-D or 3-D.

The average user rating for this movie is 8.2 (out of 10) based on 36 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Hyper S gave it an8:
I'll keep it simple. Good Disney movie for all ages. Well animated film and a nice likable cast of characters.

Jeff L. gave it an8:
Saw it in 3D, very cool, the hamster was a crack up!

Hunter Wolf gave it a9:
A very well made movie, fun, touching and well paced. The only down side is that it gets slightly predictable at times but that doesn't ever make it any less fun to watch, Bolt and all the animals he meets are entertaining and interesting as ever ... throughout the whole movie. A must watch for any fan of well made light-hearted animated features.

Phil Moufarrege gave it a0:
Why does everyone like these stupid, predictable "Disnep" movies?

Thomas M. gave it a10:
Going into this movie I felt that it may be just another attempt to try and claim some of the reknown that is pixar films. There have been many talking animal movies over the past couple of years and only a slight few have been worth seeing. Bolt totally blew me away by how well done it was, how entertaining and actually quite comical. I have now seen this movie twice and recommend it to any and everyone.

Captain S. gave it a7:
Another great movie from the folks at Disney/Pixar. It had a super new "Cars toon" at the beginning and the whole experience was super family entertainment. I agree with some that it drug in spots, but over all it was an excellent movie for the entire movie. Bolt was good, Mittens was so-so, and Rhino made the flick. A little more Bolt and his sidekick Rhino and this was a winner. This one'll go in the video catalog. Captain Spaulding

Taylor C. gave it a10:
Truly, truly a heart-touching movie. It is truly phenomenal, with a great, original story of the love between a girl and her dog and the friendship of three animals. The script is great, the voice actors are great, and the hamster is one of the funniest characters I've ever seen. There are plenty of laughs all throughout and even some moments that can bring you to tears. This movie is a masterpiece.

Bolt Walt Disney Pictures

Bolt
Walt Disney Pictures