This is it: the end of the Wilderness Years road. Film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers close out an era in Disney history with 2008’s action-packed pup adventure Bolt. Together, they discuss the ways in which the studio finally figured out their approach to making 3D CGI movies, unpick the unconventional production of the fictional ‘Bolt’ show, ponder whether it all amounts to animal cruelty, explore how the film borrows from Toy Story and The Matrix, and talk the casting of John Travolta. Plus, Sam gets into some deeply meta Nemo lore, and Ben becomes obsessed with the character the film always needed: Gidget.

Next up: Study Group! (then, The Princess And The Frog)

Disniversity is brought to you by Ben Travis (@benstravis) and Sam Summers (@samsummers0), with art by Olly Gibbs and music by Nafets. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @disniversity. This podcast is not affiliated with Disney.

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Welcome to Disniversity, the podcast crash course through the history of Disney’s animated classics, with film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Dr. Sam Summers. Each week, we’ll be moving forward in time through the legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue, watching every feature film in chronological order – from Snow White to Moana 2. Watch along with us, and listen as we explore each film’s historical context, advances in animation and lasting legacy, and talk about how they stand up today.