Monday, 4 January 2016

Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie - The scoop and digest

Commemorating the 65th anniversary of Charles M. Schulz's much loved comic strip, Steve Martino (joint director of Horton Hears a Hoo!), brings Peanuts back to the big screen for the first time in 35 years.

Written by grandsons Craig and Bryan Schulz (along with Cornelius Uliano), surely this is a great idea?

Noah Schnapp - Charlie
Alexander Garfin - Linus
Hadley Belle Miller - Lucy
Mariel Sheets - Sally
Bill Melendez - Snoopy/Woodstock
Noah Johnston - Schroeder
Rebecca Bloom - Marcie

Ahead of main feature, a bonus short (I think called Cosmic Spactastrophe), shows Sid of Ice Age fame assuming control of a spaceship and causing inevitable mayhem.

While that's nice of Blue Sky Studios, we haven't come to see that...

During class, Charlie instantly falls for new pupil known only as the 'Little Red-Haired Girl'.

He goes to Lucy for psychiatric advice who charges 5 cents for the privilege of loaning book 10 Ways To Become A Winner.

Bargain.

Throughout the main course, Snoopy writes a sub-plot as he and Woodstock battle to save beadle's love interest Fifi from his arch-nemesis the evil Red Baron.

Let's just say Chuck taking part in talent contest and dancing competition aren't exactly confidence boosters.

Schroeder's passion for Beethoven refuses to diminish as when mood takes, Symphony No. 5 in C Minor and Moonlight Sonata are bashed out on ubiquitous piano.

For a book review, our hapless hero is challenged to do a write-up of Leo's Toy Store which in reality, is Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace.

Geddit?

Oh never mind.

When Chuck achieves a perfect test result, it appears we have a genius in our midst.

Fame is milked at first but during awards ceremony, he admits Peppermint Patty (not to be confused with other character Patty), was actual smartypants.

Instead of pouring scorn, fellow companions respect his honesty and at the end of term, Red chooses Chuck as pen pal.

He catches up with Red before she leaves town, successfully flying a kite on the way.

Miracles will never cease.

She declares him a good person and not the wishy-washy failure he's perceived to be.

As bus drives away, everybody hails a pleased as punch Charlie Brown.

Whether you're an avid fan or new to the wonderful world of Peanuts, only a truly miserable git would fail to be enamored.

Computer animation expertly captures personality and incorporating old school cartoon effects applies further gloss.

Charming and really good fun, I'm sure Mr. Schulz would be proud.

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