Bolt: Generic, Yes. Terrible, No!
Animated pooch retrieves holiday fun for the whole family

The Holiday Season is on it’s way. Chestnuts are roasting, sleigh bells are jingling, and the film industry is trotting out its finest moneymakers. Disney is ready with Bolt.

Bolt (voiced by John Travolta) is television’s biggest action star, and he has one objective: protect Penny, his loving owner (voiced by Miley Cyrus). Oh yeah, he’s also a dog. Problem is, Bolt is absolutely certain that Penny has been kidnapped by an evil scientist and that it is up to him to save her!

Adorable. Heart-warming. These are both words I would use to describe

Bolt. But honestly, who is surprised? Disney has been pumping out the same warm and fluffy cinema for a while now and there is no end in sight. Families should take note and get Wall-E on DVD and avoid expensive trips to the theater every time a talking dog makes friends with a cat.

Exciting action sequences make Bolt fun for children of all ages. The recognizable voice of John Travolta will bring up fond memories of “Summer Lovin’” (I have a very healthy love for Grease) and he brings Bolt’s superhero attitude to life. There is a hilarious running gag based on wise-cracking pigeons. And anytime Rhino (voiced by Mark Walton) opens his tiny hamster mouth, you will rejoice.

There really is not anything wrong with Bolt; it’s family-friendly, has a great message about the importance of friendship, and has a delightfully over-zealous hamster spouting catch phrases. It’s charming. Really.

But should you rush out the door, your children already be-decked in character t-shirts, to see it? Come on, this isn’t Toy Story we’re talking about!

Bolt is rated PG, for some mild action and peril. It is currently playing at Regal Cinemas.