The Peanuts Movie

2015  G  ANIMATED  1h 28min

CAST— Noah Schnapp, Hadley Belle Miller, Mariel  Sheets, Alex Garfin, Francesca Angelucci Capaldi, Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, Kristin Chenoweth, Bill Melendez

MUSIC— Christophe Beck  DIRECTOR— Steve Martino  BASED ON— Peanuts (comic strip), by Charles M. Schulz

     The gang’s all here in this charming and nostalgic rendering of the classic comic strip created by Charles M. Schulz. Good grief! Everyone’s favorite perpetually put-upon blockhead, Charlie Brown, lives like the rest of us, quietly failing at mundane simplicities like flying kites, kicking footballs, etc. When the Little Red-Haired Girl moves in next door he trembles at the thought of even speaking to her, much less declaring his love for her. He aspires to impress her with talent, dancing, and intellect, but really, when does that ever work? Despite earnest efforts nothing ever seems to go his way. Maybe he should just try being himself; happiness may find its way to him… Meanwhile, Snoopy is busy writing the story of the great World War I Flying Ace as he woos his ladylove and defends her from his archnemisis, the Red Baron. Will his heroics save the day and ultimately win the heart of said maiden? A rare case of the film industry actually getting it right, staying totally faithful to its source material, delivering a family film that can be enjoyed by everyone, a film devoid of the ever popular crude humor and pop culture references. The characters are as fresh and philosophical as ever, lending these 2D characters a third dimension, both visually and emotionally. Whether this film is the kids’ introduction to the Peanuts or the grandparents’ reunion with them, they (along with everyone in between) are in for an honest interpretation that is sure to please. AKA Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie.

OUR RATING— ***