Warning: This review contains spoilers.
On Feb. 13, 2000, the Peanuts gang officially stopped airing on television after running for almost 50 years. However, there were reruns, especially during the holidays with the classic Charlie Brown TV specials like “It’s the Great Pumpkin,” “Charlie Brown” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The Peanuts gang is still loved by millions across the country, and whether their favorite is Snoopy or Lucy, they have a chance to see the gang hit the big screen today.
For adults, they get to see some of their favorite childhood cartoon characters come to life on the big screen. For the younger viewers, a cartoon that’s both comical and relatable is one that will keep them watching and entertained.
The Peanuts Movie debuted on Nov. 6, 2015, with all of those characters we know and love: Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Peppermint Patty, Schroeder, Linus and Woodstock. The film leads two separate storylines. One is based around Snoopy and Woodstock’s aerial adventures when fighting the Red Baron, and the other that revolves around Charlie Brown and his gang.
Throughout the movie, Charlie goes about trying to get the new girl in class to talk to him by trying to impress her in a number of ways. Snoopy and Woodstock take on their own adventures against the Red Baron. The classic case of an elementary school crush that Charlie Brown has is something that many viewers can sympathize with, but it doesn’t go over the top. In my opinion, the things that Charlie does to try and impress his crush are very realistic, making it that much better. Although it’s a cartoon, it has a feeling of being real and relatable. In the end, Chuck catches her before she goes off to summer camp and finds out that she chose him as her summer pen pal because of the person he is on the inside, not the outside.
Charlie Brown’s storyline in the movie is classic — Chuck has a number of mishaps that ultimately make him Charlie Brown. The film appeals to the emotions of kids and adults alike with Charlie’s ups and downs, as he tries to win the “heart of Frieda, or more commonly referred to as “The Little Red-haired Girl”. He attempts to gain her attention by returning a pencil she dropped in class, learning to dance and writing an entire book report for her. Even though the ending works out in Charlie Brown’s favor, it’s not about whether he gets the girl — it’s about the valuable lesson that it’s what’s on the inside that counts.
Snoopy and Woodstock have the other major storyline in the film, and of course it has to feature Snoopy vs. the Red Baron. Another love story is present as Snoopy tries to save the life of a lovely French Poodle, Fifi, whom he has his heart set on. It seems that Snoopy will get a chance at love until the Red Baron foils his plans.
Once again, the storyline that Snoopy and Woodstock take on is compelling, action-packed and entertaining. There’s nothing better than seeing our favorite heroes succeed, and it was a classic case of the underdog coming out on top.
The theme of the underdog is one that is prominent throughout the entire movie. Just like other Charlie Brown episodes and movies, there’s always an underlying theme. The plot line of the movie is one that’s easy to understand and keep track of. Although there are two separate plots between Charlie and Snoopy, the shift between them is gradual and obvious to viewers. For people that have little to no background in the Charlie Brown series, the movie is an entertaining cartoon that will make you want to explore more of the Charlie Brown series. For those who have seen Charlie Brown in the past, the lovable gang of Charlie Brown, his friends and his dog are back just as they were in previous years.
As a college student, I’m always looking to get away for a while and entertain myself anyway I can. If you’re looking to see a movie, the Peanuts Movie should be a go-to choice. It’s entertaining, enjoyable and just about as realistic as a cartoon can get in terms of real-world problems. College students need a break every now and then, and the Peanuts Movie lets us sit back, relax and enjoy the show.
According to rottentomatoes.com, the film received an overall rating of 85 percent from critics, saying that the film “offers a colorful gateway into the world of its classic characters and a sweetly nostalgic — if relatively unambitious — treat for the adults who grew up with them.” Its general audience gave it an overall score of 87 percent.
While keeping the spirit of Charles Schulz alive, the Peanuts Movie is something that the whole family can enjoy. It features the characters from the past that the adults loved, while also being an entertaining cartoon movie for the kids of today. Overall, this movie was definitely one that people should be lining up at the box office for, as it was a pure hit in my opinion.
Photo via Rotten Tomatoes
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