Rated G, 88 minutesOnly a blockhead would dislike Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang, who are back for a new pleasantly entertaining animated outing, "The Peanuts Movie," based on the lovable Charles Schulz "Peanuts" comics. With new CG footage directed by Steve Martino ("Horton Hears a Who" and "Ice Age: Continental Drift") and co-written by Schulz's two sons Bryan and Craig along with Cornelius Uliano, "The Peanuts Movie" admittedly sometimes feels like an expanded TV special offering few surprises, but if you enjoyed those specials, you'll have a good time here too. Snoopy, with the help of his trusted pal Woodstock, (archival footage of late "Peanuts" vet Bill Melendez for both Snoopy and Woodstock) goes up against his nemesis, the Red Baron, while Charlie Brown (Noah Schnapp) tries to win the affection of the Little Red-Haired Girl (Francesca Capaldi), who has just moved to the neighborhood. There are enough nods to the original in the charming new "The Peanuts Movie," including the use of Melendez as well as Vince Guaraldi's familiar theme, not to mention bringing back all of the original gang, including Lucy, Linus, Sally, Schroeder, Peppermint Patty and Marcie, that you won't have problem with this new outing. Everyone's favorite, lovable loser Charlie Brown (aka Chuck or Charles, according to Patty and Marcie) along with scene-stealing dog and bird, Snoopy and Woodstock, earns a gold star here, thanks to the bright animation and some of the laughs provided by that aforementioned canine and yellow little friend. The thin plotting, involving Charlie Brown winning over the Little Red-Haired Girl and including a Winter Dance, some school stuff and Snoopy's daring fight against the Red Baron, seem like extended filler from their previous outings, though if you're familiar with those you'll likely be won over here too. Small kids are also likely to get more out of it than the older ones, with the exception of maybe their parents. If you need a break from Bond this weekend for a solid family film outing, the enjoyable, colorful "The Peanuts Movie," which also features a couple of peppy new tunes from pop star Meghan Trainor, is definitely you're best choice, and Schulz himself would likely approve too.
Charlie Brown rocks. Let's bump it up to B+ for being in 3-D and for what the little Red Haired girl said at the end to Charlie Brown!! :-)
ReplyDeleteCharlie Brown rocks. Let's bump it up to B+ for being in 3-D and for what the little Red Haired girl said at the end to Charlie Brown!! :-)
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