Deja Vu All Over Again..."The Peanuts Movie"

The Peanuts Movie (2015)

Rated G

Starring Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy, Woodstock, Pig Pen, Schroeder, Peppermint Patty and Marcie

Directed by Steve Martino

The Story:

Charlie Brown and the gang are back together on the big screen for the first time in over 30 years. While times have changed, the gang is very much the same, and while Charlie Brown is going to fall hard for a certain little red-haired girl, Snoopy is going to spend much of the movie fighting the evil Red Baron.

What's that?

You say you've seen it all before?

You're probably right.

This is Peanuts 101: Introduction to Peanuts as created by Blue Sky Studios.

I'm pretty sure they squeeze every joke and gag from Charles Schulz strips and animated specials into this 90 minute update that sees them move from hand animation to beautifully rendered computer animation that retains much of the beauty and charm of the original.

You can see the jokes coming a mile away, but that's okay, that's why we're all gathered around in the first place.

That said, they're still amusing after all this time, and they do manage to put in a few new ones.

Wisely, instead of updating the characters and making them 21st century kids with all the trappings and technology that implies, these kids still survive and thrive in a world without any grownup supervision besides a teacher who will "waaa waaa waaaa waaa waaaa waaa waaaa" at them from offscreen.

Nope, it doesn't really break any new ground, except maybe to say that life isn't so bad after all, Charlie Brown.

No, it sure isn't.

Also, kudos to the team for using the late Bill Melendez recordings to bring Snoopy and Woodstock to life. A nice, touching tribute.

Nicely done everyone involved, it was a great trip down memory lane.

Final Grade: Solid B

Good Grief! "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"

It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)

TV-G

Starring Charlie Brown, Linus, Sally, Lucy, Snoopy

Directed by Bill Melendez

The Story:

It's Halloween time again! Sally is torn between going out for tricks or treats with everyone else, or sitting in the most sincere pumpkin patch around with Linus, awaiting the arrival of The Great Pumpkin. Meanwhile, Snoopy relives the drama of World War I fighting The Red Baron.

Yeah, it has nothing to do with Halloween, but what can you do?

So, this classic is nearing 50 years airing every year at this time.

I'm pretty sure that nobody hasn't seen this at least once in their lifetime.

It's the first true sign that fall is upon us, and we begin that crazy calendar countdown to the even better Charlie Brown Christmas special.

:) 

Every year, I want to go as Charlie Brown and cut up a white sheet with about 80 eye holes in it.

Plus, I wonder about all the evil parents that actually have rocks in the candy bowl to hand to children.

Tough crowd!

Final Grade: A

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I actually need to buy a new copy as the one I have has several scratches that cause too much skipping/freezing.  Pesky kids. ;)

This Will Get You In The Spirit..."A Charlie Brown Christmas"

Christmas Time is here...

The Story:

Straight from the comic pages of the newspaper, the Peanuts gang came to television in their first (and best) animated special in 1965.

Nearly 50 years later, is it a dated relic or a timeless piece of holiday awesomeness?

I think you already know the answer to this one.

:)

Aside from being a variety of Charles Schulz's strips strung together, there is an overarching storyline that has Charlie Brown looking for some acceptance during the holiday season.  Naturally, his arch-nemesis Lucy will use him by roping him into being the director of the Christmas play.

Naturally, in true Charlie Brown fashion, he makes a mistake, is ridiculed for it, and feels mortified.

Thankfully, the gang all realizes that maybe Charlie Brown was on to something, especially after Linus' stirring rendition of what Christmas is really all about.

Maybe at the end of the day, they all learned a little something?

Hmm... watching the other specials...  apparently not. ;)

Plus, for those that feel that Christmas is too commercial, starts earlier every year, etc. etc... Schulz said it first back in the 60s, so it's nothing new.

Also central to the story, the remarkable Vince Guaraldi who composed some stellar Christmas tunes to score the special.  Many of those are ingrained in our consciousness, so you accept the jazzy score as part of Christmas.

It's also nice that several of the selections get airplay on the radio this time of year, that's how good the songs were.

It's not Christmas time without this one.

Final Grade: A+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor:  It gets watched at least once a year, and yes, I do own it.