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Zippy and colorful, Bolt has an unlikely pairing with Travolta and Cyrus, but it’s still great for the kids.

What an interesting pair Edna Turnblad and Hannah Montana make. Most young kids may care less about that when watching the new animated Disney film Bolt, about a lovable TV show pooch who gets separated from his screen owner, only to realize how much they really care about each other. It’s energetic, fun and colorful, though in the way of storytelling it rarely breaks new ground. Since it’s geared for the younger set, they’ll certainly recognize teen queen Miley Cyrus’ voice (though she really isn’t in the movie much) and unaware that the voice of Bolt has also been such movie characters as Turnblad, Danny Zuko and Tony Manero, among many others, and who tends to reinvent himself every few years with a new comeback.

Digressions aside, Travolta voices Bolt, a white shepherd who is Penny’s (Cyrus) pal in his own TV show. Bolt is a superhero spy with special superpowers including superhuman strength, flying, lightening speed and a “superbark.” In the real world, Bolt is never allowed to leave his trailer though he has formed a special bond with his friend Penny. By mistake, Bolt gets lost and is shipped to New York City, and must make the trek back to Hollywood to find Penny, though Bolt still is unaware of his true surroundings, or the fact that he really doesn’t possess superpowers. His friend Mr. Mittens, actually a female cat (Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Susie Essman) and his biggest fan, an overweight hamster named Rhino (Mark Walton) are brought along for the crazy ride to help Bolt discover who he really is and reunite him with someone who truly cares for him.

Bolt unleashes some enjoyable fun, even if its simple story is blandly familiar (the odd couple buddy-buddy cross-country trek has been seen a gazillion times in the last twenty years - thanks, RainMan) and lacks originality or inspiration. The movie is helmed by first-time animation directors Bryon Howard and Chris Williams, a couple of Disney animators who worked on Chicken Little a few years ago. It’s a modest first effort though you can tell every turn well before Bolt and company get there, but with enough zippy, amusing moments along the way to keep the kiddoes interested, not to mention some colorful animation (those waffle road maps are nifty).

Yet, the biggest coup for Bolt’s makers is snagging the engaging Travolta and Cyrus for the lead voices, though Cyrus’ role is far smaller than you think given this about the dog and that Travolta is upstaged by his real-world sidekicks, Essman and Walton. They are by far the most fun and have Bolt’s funniest lines, especially Walton’s overweight hamster, who thinks he can do anything and who literally “rolls” with the punches in his clear plastic hamster ball (plus, “I can keep the cat in check,” he says amusingly).

Character actor Greg Germann (most recently seen in Quarantine) has a few good lines as Penny’s opportunistic agent, always telling her to “pin it,“ and some dense pigeons fly in and out periodically to humorously make comment on the situation at hand (funny the first time, less so with each appearance). Adults will also have fun trying to recognize other voices including James Lipton of the Actors Studio as the director or Malcolm McDowell’s evil Dr. Calico.

But this is for the kids, and with that in mind, Bolt’s message is a very simple one: be devoted to your friends and never give up on them. Far cooler is the TV show within a movie premise, which works too well considering Bolt’s TV show is far more clever and interesting than Bolt’s clunky real world story. The thought of a dog (or any animal) with superpowers is pretty cool, in an Underdog sort of way. (Heroes producers, take note of new character ideas!)

Bolt may be forgotten quicker than Travolta’s last comeback or Cyrus’ last album for that matter, but it’s still harmless, enjoyable fun for the kids on any given afternoon matinee, and for that reason, Bolt hits its target perfectly.

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