SNOOPY & CHARLIE BROWN: THE PEANUTS MOVIE: DVD

SYNOPSIS: Snoopy (voice of Bill Melendez) embarks upon his greatest mission as he and his team take to the skies to pursue their arch-nemesis, while his best pal Charlie Brown (voiced by Noah Schnapp) begins his own epic quest back home.

Review by Louise Keller:
Crisp clean animation on a sea of colour form the foundation of this endearing family film that brings Charles M. Schulz's beloved comic strip characters to the big screen. Schulz wrote and illustrated his tales for nearly 50 years (ending in February 2000) and it seems apt that his son Craig Schulz and screenwriter grandson Bryan Schulz have ensured the essence of the characters are kept intact. Be who you are is the main thrust of this story in which meek and mild Charlie Brown struggles through his insecurities to impress the new girl at school. So love plays a big part - echoed by the fantasies of his loyal dog Snoopy. It's visually appealing, sweet, charming, funny and entertaining.

Faithful to the comic strip, the filmmakers have created a delightfully innocent reality of childhood in which adult voices are heard as muffled sounds and only child-like things are in focus. There is ice-skating on the frozen lake; baseball pitching at the snowman with a carrot nose; flying a kite - or trying to. Minimum dialogue and visual storytelling establishes that everything Charlie Brown tries goes wrong. It takes no time at all to firmly establish Charlie Brown has a serious case of inadequacy. The new girl next door with carrot-red hair is the catalyst for hope. After all, she doesn't know of all his past failures. Clouds in the shape of hearts form and Charlie Brown's heart goes pitter pat as everything starts to revolve around matters of the heart.

I love the image of the Red Barron-obsessed Snoopy, sitting atop the fire-engine red mail box with his blue typewriter, lost in his imagination-fuelled world. The fantasy adventures featuring his dream-dog Fifi in her little purple bi-plane (and matching Isadora-style scarf) are an enjoyable distraction.

All the characters in the gang are there, and I love the scenes with friend Lucy, who delivers advice through her 5 cent counseling sessions. There are many sweet moments, none more so than at the school talent quest when Charlie Brown has to decide whether to impress the red-haired girl with his magic act or help his little sister save face. The film offers chuckles as opposed to belly laughs, always keeping us interested by the ever-changing visuals, bright primary colours and simple storyline that endorses the positive.

Published April 7, 2016