Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of: <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/News-ID512510.asp" target="_blank"><b>LP Column: 11/24/08 Toon Talk: Bolt</b></a> Kirby reviews Walt Disney Animation Studios' latest feature <I>Bolt</i>.
Originally Posted By mexicanadian While I agree that this movie is best enjoyed if you suspend disbelief, I thought it had a good deal more heart and humor than Disney's last few animated productions. For the first time watching a non-Pixar CG movie, I found myself focusing on the story and not the visuals. (This probably has a lot to do with Lasseter's influence.) Like the reviewer, I agree that Disney's CG efforts have failed to measure up as movies to the vast majority of Disney's 2D "Masterpieces." However, in Bolt they demonstrate mastery over 3D visuals and technology that (I think) is rival to Pixar's own movies. I may be burned at the stake for saying this, but I don't think 2D vs. 3D is the problem. I think it's deeper than that. Disney Animation Studio's creative leadership isn't what it used to be. Pixar's movies are not better because they're simply a better "3D movie" studio. In my opinion they're simply the better studio now. 2D movies looks better than ever with the new digital ink and paint tech, and (I hope) that the marketing community can get it through their heads that they're still relevant. But even so, a switch back to 2D movies wouldn't solve Disney's problems...if they can't tell touching, exciting stories in 3D then the problem lies deeper than the tech. I think Disney realizes that. Bolt is a significant step forward in that department, and if Disney's next project makes as much progress than Disney Animation may soon be out of Pixar's shadow (which means double the excellent movies for us.)
Originally Posted By Jim Thanks for the great review, TK. Like I often think, you always seem to get things right on the nose. Overall, I really enjoyed BOLT. I laughed a lot, loved Mittens and Rhino. It's a good step out of the last few movies. That said, I agree with Kirby. The press has said the movie was pushed through development in two years, and the story feels like it. You really have to completely suspend disbelief for the whole concept to work. It's as if someone said, "It's a kid's movie, it doesn't matter." The story, to me, also seems to wander a bit. It seems unfocused. Not surprisingly, I found it to be a little too self-indulgent the way Pixar films can sometimes be--namely INCREDIBLES and CARS. It gets too wrapped up in its send-up of Hollywood that it loses sight of the characters and stories we care about most. I could critique more, but I really did enjoy it. I don't think I'll run out to see it again, but it was enjoyable, and I would highly recommend it (as all the reviewers are). I was sad to see how few names I recognized in the credits. Hmmm, maybe that's something that should be remedied.
