 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Bolt
- Review Date: November 20, 2008
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2008
Common Sense Media says
Super-dog adventure is fun, age-appropriate for kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that kids are definitely going to want to see this animated adventure starring Miley Cyrus (well, her voice, anyway), even though it has nothing to do with Hannah Montana. There are some scenes of peril (explosions, hostage situations, evil cats) in the TV-show-within-a-movie, but after the first few action-packed minutes of the movie, it's made clear to the audience that it's all manufactured. There's also a tense, potentially scary fire during the movie's climax. But most of the movie's content is age-appropriate for its intended audience.
What's the story?
BOLT (voiced by John Travolta, doing some of his best work in years) is a special dog who's trained to believe he's actually a crime-fighting dog with superpowers, rather than a canine actor. Since puppyhood, Bolt has lived only on the TV show's set and truly thinks his young owner Penny (Miley Cyrus) lives under constant threat from a mad scientist and his evil cats. When Bolt accidentally lands in a shipping box, he winds up in New York City, still under the delusion that he's all-powerful. With the help of a reluctant stray cat named Mittens (Susie Essman) and a feisty hamster named Rhino (Mark Walton), Bolt travels cross-country to find his beloved Penny.
Is it any good?
Travolta is surprisingly evocative as a dog with a brave exterior but sensitive spirit, and it's refreshing to hear Cyrus as something other than her self-promoting persona or her alter ego, Hannah Montana. The pair have a touching on-screen chemistry, as do Travolta and Essman, who's best known as Jeff Garlin's shrewish wife Susie on HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm. Toning down the edge in her New York accent, Essman's Mittens may remind viewers of a more assertive Jessie from Toy Story 2.
With John Lasseter installed as chief creative officer at Walt Disney Animation, Pixar's influence is noticeable in Bolt, and that's a good thing. It's not a Pixar film, but the revolutionary studio's meticulous attention to detail and dialogue are evident. There aren't too many wink-wink double entendres or inside pop-culture jokes -- just a simple story about a super dog who comes to terms with being super to the only person who counts.
What families can talk about
- Families can talk about what made kids want to see this movie -- was it the story or all of the advertising/marketing?
Do you prefer animated movies where the voices are done by celebrities? Why or why not? How is Miley Cyrus uniquely qualified to star in a movie about a celebrity who should be allowed to act normal?
What's the difference between reality and fiction? How was Bolt stuck in a fictional life? What does Penny think Bolt is missing by thinking he's actually a super dog? Why is Mittens skeptical about humans?
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AGE
No good for 5 year old
My five year old was terrified, and while it was clear to an adult that Bolt was an "actor" my son didn't fully get it (at least until we had to turn it off!). The beginning was way too violent and scary, it was too sad when the girl left him, and we turned it off when the cats started to scare him. Maybe it gets better from there, but my kids were terrified at this point!
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Kid, 12 years old
March 25, 2011
AGE
The best!
Awesome movie! way better than Chicken little!
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AGE
Good for kids if you sit down and talk with them about the movie.
The positve message wasn't overt, but there was a message of loyalty to family ie Bolt with Penny and vice versa. There was also loyalty between friends with Rhino not letting bolt "go it alone". There was some violence in the movie with explosions, missles, car crashes and physical hitting like when bolt karate chops the bad guys. The fire scene at the end could be intense for children; however, it could be a good teaching moment to use to talk about a fire plan in your own home and what to do in the case of a fire. Overall, I thought the movie was well done. Some kids though could get a scare or two out of the movie and there could be a sense of sadness when Penny and Bolt are parted from each other. Our 2 and a half year old loves the movie.
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Kid, 12 years old
December 10, 2010
AGE
Good For All Ages (Depending on what you think is a little kid movie.)
I found nothing wrong with this movie. I went to see it in theatres when I was 8 and I'm a month away from being 11 and I'm always happy to watch it. The fire scene is nothing to be worried about, in my opinion.
I think 3+ would be good, but, maybe 4+ for the mild peril.
I'm pretty surprised it was rated 'PG'. Think about 'The Secrets Of The Nimh'. It was only rated G, and it's very bloodshed.
Dissapointed at Disney for being so bloodshed not to keep the fight scene with Bolt and the other dogs. A much better way in my opinion for older kids for Bolt to find out he has no powers.
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AGE
some violence, good characters and story, positive message
My son watched this at age 5 and had a little trouble keeping the actor/real-life stuff straight. We did have to stop the movie a few times and explain what was going on. The fire scene at the end made him a little nervous but promises that the movie had a happy ending helped. A lot of what Common Sense says is appropriate for his age is too scary but this one was fine. He used all his tv time for the day on this movie several times over the course of a couple of weeks.
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Kid, 11 years old
April 28, 2011
AGE
great film its good for a family its child friendly and is good for anyone,i love this film!
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AGE
My Personal Favorite!!!
As you can probably see fron my avatar, this is my all-time FAVORITE movie! Bolt makes for a good role model when he proves his loyalty to penny by rescuing her in a dangerous real-life situation. I really do want to see more of "The Bolt Show" - the one on TV. As of now, I'm hoping for a sequal!
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Kid, 9 years old
May 24, 2010
AGE
No Title
The Bad Guy Says He's Erked
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AGE
This a terrifically fun movie but the opening sequences were way too scary for my 5 year old. He asked us to turn it off. Having seen it before, I tried to explain the;show within show; concept but he did not really get that. He watched a bit longer - even into the part were the high action sequences were over - and still asked to be excused. So he was excused and happily went to hang out with Grandma instead. My 10 year old and I continued watching and we enjoyed it enormously. The role of Mittens the cat, voiced by Susie Essman, was hilarious and touching. Great family film but sensitive five and six year olds won't be ready for it. Start at 7 if you want to make sure everyone enjoys and understands it.
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| Topics: | adventures |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Directors: | Byron Howard, Chris Williams |
| Cast: | John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 96 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | November 21, 2008 |
| DVD release date: | March 24, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | some mild action and peril |
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