Bolt
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | Release Date: November 21, 2008 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
67
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 29 Critic Reviews
Positive:
20
Mixed:
8
Negative:
1
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
Christian Science MonitorRobert Koehler
There's something both simple and sweet about Bolt, yet epic, that's entirely surprising. Read full review
91
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
Bolt breaks no great new stylistic ground -- and yet it's a sturdy beaut. Read full review
88
Charlotte ObserverLawrence Toppman
Bolt has the magical quality of great animation, the ability to touch us without the hint of preachiness or manipulation. Read full review
88
Baltimore SunChris Kaltenbach
Bolt proves a refreshing throwback to the animated classics of yore. Read full review
83
The A.V. ClubTasha Robinson
For the first time in years, it feels like Disney has done its namesake proud. Read full review
80
The New York TimesA.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. Read full review
80
New York Magazine (Vulture)David Edelstein
As Bolt, John Travolta is inspired: His voice still cracks like an adolescent’s, and he has the perfect dopey innocence. Read full review
80
Village VoiceElla 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. Read full review
78
Austin ChronicleMarc 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. Read full review
75
Philadelphia InquirerCarrie 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. Read full review
75
TV Guide MagazinePerry 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. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleRuthe 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. Read full review
75
Boston GlobeWesley 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. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesKenneth Turan
At the end of the day, Bolt is a sweet Disney family film. Read full review
70
The Hollywood ReporterMichael Rechtshaffen
There's a terrific tenderness in Travolta's performance, while Cyrus and company are similarly effective. Read full review
70
VarietyTodd McCarthy
Bears some telltale signs of Pixar's trademark smarts, but still looks like a mutt compared to the younger company's customary purebreds. Read full review
67
Seattle Post-IntelligencerAndy 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. Read full review
67
Portland OregonianM. E. Russell
Travolta does a nice job, but Bolt is of course the most boring, blandly cute character in the movie. Read full review
63
USA TodayClaudia Puig
Bolt borrows amiably from a host of sources, including "The Incredible Journey," "Lilo and Stitch" and "Toy Story 2." Read full review
63
Miami HeraldRene Rodriguez
Has that formulaic, cookie-cutter feel typical of many Disney toons. The premise is inspired, but the follow-through is merely adequate. Read full review
60
New York Daily NewsJoe 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. Read full review
60
Wall Street JournalJoe Morgenstern
Taken on its own terms, Bolt the movie certainly makes the cut. Read full review
60
Washington PostDan 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. Read full review
60
EmpireDamon 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. Read full review
50
SalonStephanie Zacharek
Bolt is just too knowing; it keeps reminding us, loud and clear, of how culturally savvy it is. Read full review
50
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. Read full review
50
Chicago ReaderJ.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. Read full review
50
New York PostLou Lumenick
Sporadically entertaining, occasionally quite funny. Read full review
38
Chicago TribuneMichael 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. Read full review
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