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    The Peanuts Movie

    Reviewed by
    adamwatchesmovies@

    “Peanuts” is a strong contender for the best animated film of the year. It’s certainly the most visually striking picture I’ve seen in from 2015. I was never an avid reader of the strips and I’ve never seen the specials except in passing so when I say that this deserves to be seen on the big screen and in 3-D, it’s not nostalgia talking.

    Optimistic but rarely successful Charlie Brown (voiced by Noah Schnapp) is determined to turn things around. His friends all know him as a royal screw-up, but the Little Red-haired Girl (voiced by Francesca Angelucci Capaldi) who just moved into the neighborhood doesn’t. Our hero attempts to impress her, embarking on a number of melancholic but reflective adventures. Meanwhile, his dog Snoopy (voiced through archival recordings by Bill Melendez) takes up writing, penning a novel about his rivalry with the Red Baron.

    I understand the appeal of Peanuts. Charlie Brown’s adventures are not outrageous, nor are they comedic. They’re kind of slice-of-life stories about a guy that just can’t get a break. He tries to fly a kite but it always ends up in a tree. His friends always thrust responsibilities upon him that he can in no way fulfill. Even when he manages to be victorious, it’s just a matter of time before it all falls apart. It would be a downer, and I guess in a sense it is but the key, is that it never truly passes that line and becomes hopeless. Whatever happens, old Chuck gets back on his feet, ready to try again. What I like is that even though it’s animated and features an anthropomorphic dog that goes on wacky adventures, it’s not a very funny film. It’s consistently amusing but it’s not a comedy. If anything, this is a drama and we don’t see enough of those for children and we don’t see many serious animate films.

    It’s very intelligently written and does not pander to children (you’ll have to forgive me if it’s not the case, but I’m assuming that this is written for children but in a way that adults can enjoy it too) It has our hero make some decisions that might be right, but aren’t advantageous to him at all. Seeing what unfolds makes you think. What do you do for example, when you find yourself in a position where being honest will be detrimental? I’m not talking about something as black-and-white as lying. Picture letting a co-worker assume something so that they will put in a good word to the boss. You’re not taking credit for anything really, but what does it say about your character and are you being truthful to yourself if you choose to advance without really earning it? “Peanuts” is dripping with honesty. Its characters act like they would in the real world, for better or worse. I saw the film with my eleven-year-old nephew and afterwards he and I had a lot to think about.

    When I saw the trailers for “Peanuts” I was suspicious. There is a long list of comic strip adaptations that have been downright terrible (“Marmaduke” and “Garfield”) Thankfully, Charles Schulz’s work is well represented here. Adults who grew up with the property, you will see everything you fondly remember. Everyone’s been invited. Lucy, Pig Pen, Schroeder, Marcie, Patty, Linus, Sally, Franklin, Woodstock and more. Familiar jokes like the football being pulled away or the “wah-wah” speak of the teachers too. Cheap tricks like having Charlie Brown dance to a popular song, topical references, even cellphones are completely absent. I know you groaned when you saw Charlie Brown dance to “All I Do Is Win” in the trailer, but that scene is not in the movie.

    See it on a big screen in the theatre. The animation isn’t just good. It’s spectacular. The original illustrations have translated marvelously to this stylized rendering and at several points throughout it gests quite inventive, with thought bubbles using hand-drawn animation and fantasy sequences using sharp colors and bold contrast. You also get 3-D at it’s best. We get snow or other debris (such as Pig Pen’s cloud) to give a nice amount of volume to the frame. Several flying sequences use the background-middle ground-foreground in a highly effective manner. In less gimmicky moments, the 3-D accentuates actions or objects, such as a doorbell, which is made to look even more daunting or camera lenses really zooming towards our bewildered hero. This is the kind of thing that you won’t be able to experience at home and isn’t that why we go to the movies in the first place?

    My one criticism is that I feel like the ending could have had a bit more bite to it. It’s not a bad conclusion. I’d even call it good, but it could have been spectacular if it had stuck to its guns. I didn’t want a mean-spirited wrap-up because that wouldn’t have fit, but this one… it’s a bit too cute for me. It’s redeemed by several sequences during the end credits (stick around for those) but once again, just a little too sweet. It’s almost a shame that I have to mention it because it’s perfect everywhere else, particularly in the intelligence of the story and the visuals.

    This new “Peanuts” movie will fit right at home with Schulz’s works. For families, I beg you to go see it together. Maybe the six and under crowd will not be able to appreciate the messages present, but for everyone above that age, they will be able to understand and be grateful for a story that does not revolve around pratfalls and fart jokes every seven minutes. It will enrich them because the people responsible know how intelligent and observant kids can be. It’s even got a decent animated short featuring Scrat from “Ice Age” beforehand so you really get your money’s worth. I was very impressed. (3-D Theatrical version on the big screen, November 17, 2015)

    9
    HelpfulNot helpful  Reply
    adamwatchesmovies@  18.11.2015 age: 26-35 2,867 reviews

    I loved reading your review! You put a great deal of thought into it and I will see it now in 3-D.

    HelpfulNot helpful Reply
    dee@  20.11.2015 age: 50+ 85 reviews

    Thank you for the kind words. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

    HelpfulNot helpful Reply
    adamwatchesmovies@  21.11.2015 age: 26-35 2,867 reviews

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