‘The Peanuts Movie’ is delightful for the whole family
For the first time ever, Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the gang we know and love from Charles Schulz's timeless "Peanuts" comic strip will be making their big-screen debut -- like they've never been seen before -- in a CG-animated feature film in 3D. "The Peanuts Movie" opens Friday.
"The Peanuts Movie" should be fun for the whole family.
Get ready for 86 minutes of pure adorableness!
“The Peanuts Movie” is fun from start to finish. Fans of the gang (Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Woodstock, Linus, Lucy, Schroeder, Sally, Peppermint Patty, Marcie, Patty, Pig-pen, Violet, Shermy, Franklin, and the Little Red-Haired Girl) are in for a treat. While the situations within the movie are the same dilemmas the gang has faced for decades and even generations, this movie proves that the Peanuts kids transcend time. And this movie is definitely fun for all ages.
The story begins with a new kid moving in across from Charlie Brown and Sally’s house. Yep, it’s the Little Red-Haired Girl. Charlie is immediately infatuated with her but doesn’t have the nerve to talk to her. How can he get her attention?
Charlie Brown is trying to get the attention of the Little Red-Haired Girl as the others in the gang go through their usual situations. Kind-hearted Sally loves Linus, her “Sweet Babboo,” know-it-all Lucy has her psychologist booth where anyone can get her wisdom for a mere five cents, musical prodigy Schroeder plays his toy piano magnificently, and imaginative Snoopy writes his novel as well as fights the Red Baron to win the love of Fifi. Charlie Brown brings out his kite in the middle of winter and actually gets it flying, however, no one sees his accomplishment. Typical. He really is “good ol’ Charlie Brown” in the best sense of the phrase.
There are many fun aspects to this film. For instance, when Charlie Brown is assigned to write a book report, he hears that “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy is one of the greatest books of all time. Still trying to impress you-know-who, he goes to the library looking for the book “Leo’s Toystore” by Warren Peace. In the school talent show, Sally is determined to win the prize by roping a “cow” on her trusty horse Broomstick. And you will never guess who has a crush on Pig-Pen.
Whether trying to get his kite in the air, trying to kick a football, or just being insecure, Charlie Brown is normally considered “wishy-washy,” however, this film shows his true self. He is compassionate, honest, brave and funny. And he is not a quitter. No matter what you might think about him, just remember his constant aim to get the kite up, his never-ending attempts at kicking that football, and his friendship and compassion for everyone even when doing something kind for someone else is at odds with his personal desires. All that comes through in this film.
The “Peanuts” comic started on Oct. 2, 1950. Charlie Brown, Shermy and Patty were the original characters. Throughout the five decades characters came and went but Charlie Brown is the only one of the Peanuts gang to appear in the first strip and the last on Oct. 4, 2000.
“Charlie Brown gets referred to as a loser all the time,” laments Craig Schulz, the son of Charles M. Schulz and one of movie’s writers and producers. “But in reality, Charlie Brown is a winner because he never gives up. We all lose a lot more than we win, and who better than Charlie Brown to teach us that?”
Mark your calendars for an endearing family movie experience. “The Peanuts Movie” opens Friday. Good grief! Don’t miss it.