Two paws up!

Rating: 8/10 (11 February 2014)

Every time I watch this film, I like it a little bit more. That's three times I've sat through it, and my ever-growing appreciation has increased it's rating from 7 to 8. Huzzah! There's an action packed plot, decent CGI, appealing characters and some great lessons about pet ownership. What's not to love?
Bolt thinks he's a superhero dog from a TV show... when in fact he's just a regular pooch. Accidentally knocked out and transported from Hollywood to New York, he is forced to team up with a snarky cat called Mittens (My favourite, both for her species AND her sarcastic demeanor) and a hyperactive hamster who goes by the name of Rhino to find him way home.
Bolt's cluelessness about the outside world (he's lived in a studio for all his life) and his attempts at performing his non-existent powers are the basis for much hilarity, along with Mittens's ever sardonic remarks and Rhino's never-say-die attitude (in comparison to his size).
But there is something deeper here, about the unspoken bond between an animal and it's owner. Bolt KNOWS his 'human' loves him, despite her being an actress... and Mittens was absolutely devastated to be abandoned on the streets of the Big Apple, unloved and declawed... (A disgusting practice which is thankfully outlawed here in the UK). The speech she gives about why she doesn't trust people late on is heart-rending to the core. Rhino, on the other hand escapes from a trailer park during the movie... and we never hear from his owner again. Well, he seems happy enough...
As I've shown, rewatchability is high due to the little things you'll miss along the way, and the end result is one of the most purely joyful ways you can spend 90 minutes. Especially if you're an animal lover. Guilty as charged. 8/10