Disney has been taking notes from Pixar; or at least that was my impression of what I saw on screen during the movie Bolt. I'm hard pressed to think of the last time there was this much energy and character and emotion displayed in a Disney animated film. Not that I felt that Disney really lost their touch, but Bolt definitely displays an improvement, and because of that, it's one of the most delightful Disney adventures in recent years.

Of course none of this should really come as a surprise; John Lasseter is the executive producer of Bolt, and you can really see his influence on this film. The Toy Story, Monsters Inc. guru has really helped influence this film, and the result is a movie that one could easily mistake for a Pixar film. (But then again, since Disney and Pixar are together, it shouldn't matter, right?) Whatever it was he did, I'm glad he did it, because Bolt once again puts Disney at the forefront of animated movie making.

On a quick side note, if you get a chance to see this movie in 3D, you should definitely do that. Although my screening wasn't in 3D, it was easy to see how it could easily lend itself to a spectacular 3D experience. I am willing to bet that's the best way to watch it.

So what exactly is it about Bolt that makes it a cut above previous Disney fare? Well, it's hard to say, but I think it has to do with a strong, defining sense of character. Pixar has always been excellent at bringing memorable characters to the the screen, and Bolt definitely follows that pattern. Hearing that John Travolta was providing the voice of Bolt didn't do anything to make me want to see this movie; however, his performance is energetic without being over the top, and it certainly has a distinct canine feel to it. Bolt is truly an endearing character, not just because he's a cute puppy dog, but as you follow his adventure, you really empathize with what he's going through as his world unravels. When you add Mittens (the cat) and Rhino (the hamster) to the mix, not only do you get a dynamite comic group, but also characters with heart that you really believe end up caring for each other, despite their differences.

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