The Peanuts Movie.

Review #754: The Peanuts Movie.

Cast
Noah Schnapp (Charlie Brown), Bill Melendez (Snoopy and Woodstock), Hadley Belle Miller (Lucy van Pelt), Mariel Sheets (Sally Brown), Francesca Capaldi (Little Red-Haired Girl and Frieda), Anastasia Bredikhina (Patty), Noah Johnston (Schroeder), Rebecca Bloom (Marcie), Mar Mar (Franklin Armstrong), William Alexander Wunsch (Shermy), Venus Schultheis (Peppermint Patty), Madisyn Shipman (Violet Gray), AJ Teece (Pig-Pen), Alexander Garfin (Linus van Pelt), and Kristin Chenoweth (Fifi) Directed by Steve Martino (#483 - Horton Hears a Who!)

Review
Prior to Charles Schulz's death in 2000, there had been four movies (#295 - A Boy Named Charlie Brown, #298 - Snoopy, Come Home, #424 - Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown, and #489 - Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (and Don't Come Back!!) based on the famed comic strip. 15 years later, we have a new Peanuts movie, so I decided to see it to wonder if ol' Chuck can spruce up the same magic that has entertained the world for so long. For what it's worth, I thought it was enjoyable. Is it perfect? No. But then again, neither was Charlie Brown. The animation looks great, toeing the line of the traditional style while managing to stand out in its own way (in fact, some of the thought bubbles use the comic style). The movie retains the basic charm of what made Charlie Brown so likable even with all of his failures (such as never throwing a good fastball, flying a kite, or kicking a football)...and his attempts at trying to be a winner. Charlie's infatuation with the Little Red-Haired Girl is still there, but with a twist. For one thing, the Girl actually speaks, and I appreciate the fact that it wasn't just Charlie Brown trying (and failing) to get her attention. The movie doesn't take too much risks, but it at least is entertaining. Snoopy's scenes (most of which dealing with the Red Baron) are amusing enough, even if it almost comes off as a way to pad the movie a bit. The dialogue is reasonably balanced, never veering off the rails too much.While the movie lasts 93 minutes, it doesn't feel too short nor drag too badly. I enjoyed seeing the Peanuts gang again, especially Charlie, who is my favorite character. He's my favorite because he is easy to empathize with when he fails but when he does get in a victory ever so often, it is satisfying, even when it is simple as flying a kite. I always appreciated how hard he tried even when he failed because that made me want to try even with all the risks I had (and still have) in my life. I'd recommend it for any Peanuts fan because of the way it brings the magic back into the theater after all these years.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (and Don't Come Back!!)

Review #489: Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (and Don't Come Back!!)

Cast
Arrin Skelley (Charlie Brown), Daniel Anderson (Linus van Pelt), Patricia Patts (Peppermint Patty), Casey Carlson (Marcie), Bill Melendez (Snoopy, Woodstock), Pascale De Barolet (Pierre), Annalisa Bortolin (Sally Brown), Michelle Muller (Lucy van Pelt), and Roseline Rubens (Violette Honfleur, Patty, Violet) Directed by Bill Melendez (#295 - A Boy Named Charlie Brown, #298 - Snoopy, Come Home, and #424 - Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown)

Review
This is the fourth and last Peanuts film (for now), and a trip to other countries is certainly a new premise, and the focus of the film is never veered off course, it's an alright film that while being a bit short (70 minutes), it is entertaining. The voices (save for the everlasting Melendez, who directed and appeared in all four films) are new once again and they do an alright job with the characters we all know and love. The animation is decent, a bit better then Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown, and while it isn't too impressive, it's standard for a franchise like this. For once, adults are featured in this film, and while it may sound weird (though hearing that wa-wa-wa through this film would've annoyed me to know end) to hear adults, it at least makes sense to the plot. While it's not the best Peanuts film to watch, it's probably a little better then the last two, but in the end, all four of these films are recommended by me, because they certainly are good ones to grow up with. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.


Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown

Review #424: Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown.

Cast
Duncan Watson (Charlie Brown), Bill Melendez (Snoopy/Woodstock), Stuart Brotman (Peppermint Patty), Jimmy Ahrens (Marcie), Gail M. Davis (Sally Brown), Melanie Kohn (Lucy van Pelt), Liam Martin (Linus van Pelt), Greg Felton (Schroeder/Camp announcer), Kirk Jue (Bully), Tom Muller (Franklin/Another Bully), Jordan Warren (Another Bully), and Jackson Beck (Brutus) Directed by Bill Melendez (#295 - A Boy Named Charlie Brown and #298 - Snoopy, Come Home) and Phil Roman.

Review
Once again I'm reviewing a Charlie Brown movie, and I was satisfied with the last two, so what could go wrong here? As it turns out, this is an okay film that while feeling awfully short does have its moments. Once again the voice actors are different, except for Bill Melendez who is probably the only one to star in all of these Peanuts films, as the other actors are different, they being child actors and all. The child actors are alright, mostly consistent with their characterization, though Peter Robbins will always (for me anyways) be the definite Charlie Brown. Melendez does good, Snoopy and Woodstock always being a delight. It's alright in characters, but sometimes it makes you wonder why Charlie Brown hasn't gone insane or simply moved away from the seemingly destructive group of "friends" that manage to even ruin his leadership of a boat race, for pete's sake. The bullies are typical, bullying for no real reason and boasting ad nausea, but at least the ending satisfied me. The animation is okay, but it is a bit of downgrade from the last two films, but at least the story works alright (even though in one scene it is snowing even though they are in vacation) and it does have some laughs, even for a short (70 minute) length. Charlie Brown and Snoopy were usually my favorite characters, a "lovable loser" is a good one to like, though I always imagined he kicked that football, no matter what.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Snoopy, Come Home.

Review #298: Snoopy, Come Home.

Cast
Bill Melendez (Snoopy and Woodstock), Chad Webber (Charlie Brown), Johanna Baer (Lila), Robin Kohn (Lucy Van Pelt), Stephen Shea (Linus Van Pelt), David Carey (Schroeder), Hilary Momberger (Sally Brown), Chris De Faria (Peppermint Patty), and Linda Ercoli (Clara) Directed by Bill Meléndez (#295 - A Boy Named Charlie Brown)

Review
A Boy Named Charlie Brown was a good film, and there would be another Peanuts film three years later. How is this? I know it may sound a bit wrong, but...it isn't as good as the previous one. Don't get me wrong, it's an alright film, but it isn't as good. It might be hard to believe, but I like it better when Charlie Brown is the main focus of a feature, and the only reason for that is because it is slightly easier to convey the theme. The film has a theme of loss (Probably given away by the title), and it does work, for the most part. However half the film feels more like a road-trip film, albeit with some funny moments, yet it could be a bit sluggish. If I had to talk about the acting, I'd say it is reasonably good, even if the majority of the film covers only four really important characters, two of them non talking (For the most part), but Webber and Kohn also do a good job. The animation is alright, but I feel that it plays it a bit safe, not being as imaginative as the previous film, but let me repeat that I said that it is alright nonetheless. In the end, this is a film that while it could've been better, it is still worth a watch for what it's worth. By sheer coincidence, this year is the 40th anniversary of this film. And by more coincidence, today is my 16th birthday. Countdown to 300 Reviews: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2...

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: A Boy Named Charlie Brown.

Review #295: A Boy Named Charlie Brown.

Cast
Peter Robbins (Charlie Brown), Pamelyn Ferdin (Lucy Van Pelt), Glenn Gilger (Linus Van Pelt), Andy Pforsich (Schroeder), Sally Dryer (Patty), Bill Melendez (Snoopy), Ann Altieri (Violet), and Erin Sullivan (Sally Brown) Directed by Bill Meléndez.

Review
On November 26, 1922, Charles M. Schulz was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Schulz created Peanuts, arguably the most famous comic strip ever produced, which ran for nearly 50 years, which to me is very impressive. 90 years after his birth, Peanuts still lives on in reruns, TV specials, and films, such as this. This is the first feature film based on the Peanuts comic strip, released in 1969. For a film with child actors and for 1969, this is still an achievement, especially in the animation department. The animation is colorful but still very useful, not detracting from the film. The acting is alright, Robbins does a good job, conveying the character of Charlie Brown very well. The film has a theme of defeat, and yet it still manages to be sincere and optimistic as well. (along with teaching the spelling rule of I before E except after C) Charlie Brown was always my favorite Peanuts character, and this film gives a chance (like most specials) to make him truly shine, no matte how bad he might lose by. Happy Birthday, Mr. Schulz. Countdown to 300 Reviews: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5...

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.