Bolt (2008)

Another talking animal animated movie... I figured it would just be full of unoriginal wisecracking characters and a few cultural reference gags that were totally unfunny. I was pleasantly surprised. Bolt was an odd cross between Truman from The Truman Show and Thunderbolt from 101 Dalmatians 2 (although for the most pat I'd like to forget I ever saw that movie). Bolt was joined by an oddball cast of characters, but for once they were actually interesting characters in their own right, not just "the cynical one," "the one who's not entirely sane," "the nice girl," whatever. Some of these characteristics could be found in them, but they were entirely their own. Good dialogue, good story, and good voice acting made this one of the better films of the year. It was nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Film, alongside Kung Fu Panda and Wall-E. Although it didn't have nearly the originality of Wall-E, it was MILES above the derivative Kung Fu Panda. Well done, Disney! 4 stars.