The Peanuts Movie

Good grief! Charles M. Schulz's beloved comic strip characters are back. Working from a simplistic script, director Steve Martino helms this first Charlie Brown big screen movie since 1980's Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (and Don't Come Back!), faithfully replicating many of the individual characters' quirks and idiosyncrasies—albeit in 3D computer-animated style. The story revolves around good-hearted Charlie Brown being immediately smitten when the Little Red-Haired Girl moves into the neighborhood, while a secondary plot involves Charlie's fun-loving beagle Snoopy and his penchant for creative writing. Also on hand are Lucy, Schroeder, Sally, Pigpen, Woodstock, Peppermint Patty, Marcie, and Linus (clutching his security blanket), along with the kite-eating tree, the missing football, the Great Pumpkin, the high-flying Red Baron, and Fifi, a femme fatale poodle. Parents and grandparents may have to explain outdated items like a rotary telephone, fountain pen, and manual typewriter to youngsters (although many of us still use those archaic staples). Significantly, Charles's widow Jean Schulz has indicated that she is in no rush to encourage a sequel—and her consent is vital to 20th Century Fox, who obtained the rights to make only one movie. Amiable and satisfying, this sweetly nostalgic family film is recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include “Snoopy's Playlist” musical segments (28 min.), “Learn to Draw” character featurettes (11 min.), brief “Snoopy Snippets” (3 min.), the “Better When I'm Dancin'” music video by Meghan Trainor and a behind-the-scenes segment (9 min.), the “Get Down with Snoopy and Woodstock” music video, and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is a “You Never Grow Up, Charlie Brown” franchise featurette (31 min.), “Snoopy's Sibling Salute” short (2 min.), four art galleries, and bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a winning family film.] (S. Granger)