Peanuts is the kind of property that today's mainstream cinema wouldn't care anymore. Especially when it comes to kids entertainment, they'll ask for larger scale, faster pace, pop culture references or any dazzling spectacle or whatever. Peanuts is a calmer material that follows the everyday life and little troubles of a young boy, Charlie Brown, which used to be a big deal to face in childhood. The Peanuts Movie thankfully sticks to that spirit, letting conflicts more grounded yet made compelling even at a smaller scale. Maybe the only thing to brag about is how it paces a little too quick, rarely letting many moments that could have given a stronger emotional impact shine. Either way, the charm and love to its material is still there and that alone made The Peanuts Movie worth seeing.
Despite of being a CG animation and a major motion picture, the movie doesn't heighten the scale of the plot and rather sticks to the anxiety and everyday moments of childhood. There is no bad guys, just a tough world for a child to face and learn, overcoming his own insecurities. It's the classic Peanuts mold, then again, with a somewhat quicker pace. Pacing isn't exactly much of an issue when it comes to animation, but here, it sometimes takes things too far, specifically towards its physical comedy. There is often slapstick after slapstick, though it is meant to present as Charlie Brown's ordeal, it just takes most of the time compared to contemplating. Then again, it never compromises the charm of the material. The characters are fun, especially of course Snoopy, while everybody else is just as playful.
The animation is wonderful. Although it's CGI, the movie never betrays its classic aesthetic, even their movements act like it's hand drawn, proving that the people behind this movie has a genuine love to Peanuts. There are scenes that goes to conventional 3D, specifically the flight sequences with Snoopy, but it's only the background that goes to different angle, while the characters themselves remained faithful with their design. Anyway. The voice acting is enjoyable, with these child voice actors really bringing these characters to life.
The Peanuts Movie feels a little too conventional in some parts, even how the film concludes feel a little too happy, but it knows its lessons and that's fine anyway. What made it wonderful is just how it recreates this world of Charles Schulz. So maybe those sort of underwhelming moments are the film's way of attracting the next generation to this material, but I kind of wish it should have also considered some bolder choices. But then, it's still fun and adorable. These character remain likable, the stories remain charming and endearing. That might be enough good reasons to revisit the Peanuts.
Despite of being a CG animation and a major motion picture, the movie doesn't heighten the scale of the plot and rather sticks to the anxiety and everyday moments of childhood. There is no bad guys, just a tough world for a child to face and learn, overcoming his own insecurities. It's the classic Peanuts mold, then again, with a somewhat quicker pace. Pacing isn't exactly much of an issue when it comes to animation, but here, it sometimes takes things too far, specifically towards its physical comedy. There is often slapstick after slapstick, though it is meant to present as Charlie Brown's ordeal, it just takes most of the time compared to contemplating. Then again, it never compromises the charm of the material. The characters are fun, especially of course Snoopy, while everybody else is just as playful.
The animation is wonderful. Although it's CGI, the movie never betrays its classic aesthetic, even their movements act like it's hand drawn, proving that the people behind this movie has a genuine love to Peanuts. There are scenes that goes to conventional 3D, specifically the flight sequences with Snoopy, but it's only the background that goes to different angle, while the characters themselves remained faithful with their design. Anyway. The voice acting is enjoyable, with these child voice actors really bringing these characters to life.
The Peanuts Movie feels a little too conventional in some parts, even how the film concludes feel a little too happy, but it knows its lessons and that's fine anyway. What made it wonderful is just how it recreates this world of Charles Schulz. So maybe those sort of underwhelming moments are the film's way of attracting the next generation to this material, but I kind of wish it should have also considered some bolder choices. But then, it's still fun and adorable. These character remain likable, the stories remain charming and endearing. That might be enough good reasons to revisit the Peanuts.