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
