THE PEANUTS MOVIE
US, 2015, 88 minutes, Colour.
Noah Schnapp, Noah Johnston, Bill Melendez, Alexander Garfin, Mariel Sheets, Hadley Belle Miller.
Directed by Steve Martino.
The full title of this film is Charlie Brown and Snoopy, The Peanuts Movie. It was released at the time of the 65th anniversary of the first publication of Charles Schutz’s celebrated comic strip.
The Peanuts comic strip has had quite an impact over the decades, the strips being published all over the world, and, in 1969 and the 1970s, animated film released, A Boy Named Charley Brown (1969), Snoopy Come Home (1972), Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown (1977), Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (and don't come back) (1981). Charles Schultz’s son and grandson are responsible for this new film.
Writer and speaker, Robert L. Short wrote in the 1970s about the impact of these comic strips and their message in a book, The Gospel according to Peanuts.
For those who know the comic strips, they will welcome all the characters, plus a new one or two, who look very familiar, speak in a familiar way, go through situations which the audience expects of them.
Poor Charlie Brown has to live through so many episodes where he sees himself as a failure, involved in the number of accidents, trying to fly a kite yet tangled in the leads, doing his best at school and then finding out that it is not enough, going up and down in popularity with the other children. Lucy is there are continually criticising him. On the other hand, Schroeder (who is seen playing the piano and the melody of the 20th Century Fox logo at the opening) is a friend and offers sound advice. Linus, with his blanket, is encouraging and also offering Charlie Brown good advice.
Of course, there is Snoopy, always around, lying on the top of his kennel, finding a typewriter, typing his book with the visualisation of his exploits in World War I against the red Baron and rescuing the canine femme fatale, Fifi. He is also an encouragement for Charlie Brown.
The film opens in winter and the children at school, goes through the school year and finishes on the last day of school.
Most significant is the new girl at the school, the redheaded girl, who seems not to know that Charlie Brown exists but with whom he is entranced. They work together but, once again, it collapses in some failure. However, there is happy ending, Charlie Brown wanting to declare himself, especially when the red-headed girl chooses him as a penpal for when she goes away to camp. He hurries to the bus, trips, hits a tree, a kite falls out, he hangs on and is lifted right to the bus to hear the girl’s wise words to him, about being himself.
Audiences will identify with Charlie Brown’s self-deprecation but would feel the lift to become more confident and embrace life.
1. The popularity of the strip, for 65 years, in the United States, worldwide?
2. The impact in the past, the effect of Charles Schultz, continued by his son and grandson? The animation, the style of the comic strips? Characters, backgrounds, action, colour, expressions? Audiences accepting the characters? The touch with Schroeder playing the 20th Century Fox logo?
3. Americana, the town, homes, life in families, life at school, Voices? Snoopy and his kennel, lying on top and typing? With Woodstock? The school days? The winter season? The last day, the sun? Variety of activities, flying kites, groups, musical score?
4. Charlie Brown, his appearance, clothes, his wardrobe and the sameness, going out, his relationship with Sally at home, at school, Lucy and criticisms? His self- image, self-deprecation, trying to fly a kite, the tangles, the succession of accidents? The redheaded girl coming to school, attracted, his thinking that she did not know him? The essay, good marks, the mistake and his losing popularity? Snoopy ringing the bell for the red-headed girl, finally getting courage? At school, finding partners for penpals, the little girl volunteering, the effect on Charlie Brown, the kite falling, tangle and his being lifted to the bus,the discussions at the bus, all present them, the expectations?
5. Snoopy, his character, emergency thoughts, communication with Charlie Brown, with others, his interventions, sense of humour? Sleep on his kennel? The typewriter and writing his bood, The Red Baron, the flights, the plane, the rescue of the dog, Fifi, and the plane continuing to fly around, even during the credits?
6. Lucy and her cutting remarks, reading Snoopy’s story and saying it was the worst?
7. Linus, a good friend, his advice as an encouragement? His blanket and his need?
8. Schroeder, musical, nice, piano, playing?
9. Sally, Charlie’s sister, her performance and failure and Charley helping out?
10. Peppermint Patty and the others, the tough kids school?
11. Charlie Brown helping kite boy – and so well?
12. No adults, only children?
13. The positive message, be oneself, embracing life?
