Rating: Summary: Epitomizes the work of Charles M. Schulz Review: I bought this film the day before Charles Schulz died and it seemed like the most touching, poignant tribute to the man when I watched it. Enjoyable for kids who can find humor in Snoopy's antics, and Linus going nuts looking for his blanket, but if you're an adult, you'll understand what this film is REALLY about. When Charlie Brown loses the spelling bee, he comes home and stays in bed for an entire day. Finally, when Linus entices him to get out of bed, he shows him something very important------Life Goes On! "Did you notice, Charlie Brown? It wasn't the end of the world." That brilliantly-executed scene is so well-written and sums up what Peanuts was all about. Flies over your head when you're a kid, but when you see it as an adult, you realize how skilled we've become at dealing with life's disappointments. And we learn, as Charlie Brown did, that life goes on, and it wasn't the end of the world. The songs of Rod McKuen also help explore the theme very well. For the Charlie Brown in all of us, and more importantly, the Linus in all of us.
Rating: Summary: One of the best animated films ever made. Review: I love this movie. With the exception of Pepermint Patty and Marcy, it has all the classic elements of the Peanuts gang that made them so cute: Charlie Brown can't fly a kite because he's afraid the trees will eat it, his baseball team always loses, Snoopy thinks he's a WWI fighter, Shroeder plays great symphonies on the tiny piano, Linus adoring his blanket, and of course, Lucy pulling away the football. I love the songs and kiddie jokes which tell of how Charlie Brown is enrolled in the national spelling bee. All 84 mintues of it are pure delight, even the long musical interludes. And is it possible to not want to shed a tear at the end?
Rating: Summary: Never Say Die, Charlie Brown! Review: I remember 1st seeing this movie in the theatre when I was 3 years old. It's a poignant piece with a lesson about trying your best and never giving up. In spite of all the failed attempts to win a baseball game, kick the football from Lucy, or fly a kite (Charlie Brown tries all of the above), he never gives up! Linus tries giving Charlie advice (and refuses to take Sally to the movies!) and Lucy tries to figure out what's really wrong with the "blockhead" (when not driving poor Schroder crazy: "By the way, is this George Washington?"). It seems like Charlie Brown's bad luck may get better with a chance to win the Spelling Bee. Linus and Snoopy later join him, so as to get back Linus's beloved blanket! It's fun watching Snoopy iceskate at Rockefeller Plaza and Schroder imagine he's playing a grand piano.
Rating: Summary: A "Peanuts" Classic Review: I, like the other reviewer before me, remember watching this in a movie theater when it was first released; my grandfather took me to see it and I must have been about 4 or 5 years old. I remember being totally mesmerized at the thought of seeing my "heroes" on the big screen, and I didn't move a muscle the entire time the movie was rolling. And yes, I will also agree that the film's end can have you shedding a tear or two, with Linus' reminder, "Did you notice something, Charlie Brown? The world didn't come to an end", after Charlie Brown feels that he has humlitated himself one too many times. You can imagine, this film has a very special place in my heart. It retained several of the original character voices, including Peter Robbins, the first and best Charlie Brown. This is also the only one of the four theatrical features to use Vince Guaraldi's trademark theme music. I take issue with the statement that the additional songs composed for the movie by Rod McKuen are "absurd". I thought the title tune was very touching, featuring the lyric, "We're all a Boy Named Charlie Brown". Indeed.......That was the genius of Charles Schulz in a nutshell; he created characters that mirrored all of us. Please get this film and introduce your kids to it.......Help pass along Mr Schulz's legacy. (If you can find the out-of-print soundtrack album for this film, I highly recommend it as well.)
Rating: Summary: MARVELOUS Review: If one cannot appreciate the movie for its sweet and tender nature, on must marvel at the music. I ADORE the theme song "A Boy Named Charlie Brown." In a classical style like that of Mel Torme or Nat King Cole with sweet and genuine lyrics such as "To just see Charlie Smile, Makes you Stop and Think a while...We're all just a boy named Charlie Brown." As well the Visual Interpretation of the Adagio Cantabille of Beethoven's Pathetique sonata is absolutley breath taking. Full of energy life, spirituality and song one cannot help but be awed .
Rating: Summary: Good Grief, A Spelling Bee! Review: This is some good movie, but there's a sad ending. But I highly recommend it!
Rating: Summary: A premium in entertainment for people of all ages Review: Though I highly recommend this film for children, it is by no means a movie that can be enjoyed only by children, with mindless dialogue and aimless plot. On the contrary; I am a 19-year-old college student, and even though I should technically be writing a review on Fellini's "Satyricon" as I sip some kind of mocha and smoke a cigarette, I instead choose to rave about the merits of this intelligent, wonderful little film. I would first like to state that the soundtrack is absolutely ASTOUNDING. Vince Guaraldi really outdoes himself in this film, with my favorites being "Baseball Theme" and "Surfin' Snoopy". I'm sorry to say that many of the songs on this film can only be acquired through the VHS medium; though there is a soundtrack, it provides music from an NBC Charles Schultz special, not this film. Consumers, beware! :) Secondly, the original compositions by Rod McKuen, such as "Champion Charlie Brown" and "Boy Named Charlie Brown" are heartwarming and delightful, again with paradoxically smart and mature lyrics (these too, unfortunately, are unavailable on CD). The animation is delightful. I love the bright, cheerful hues of the wallpaper in Charlie's hotel room and his bathroom. And yes, the visual rendition of Beethoven's "Pathetique Sonata" is stunning, with animation reminding you of the "Eleanor Rigby" scene from "Yellow Submarine" (NOT the psychedelic type); for some, it can definitely be a tear-jerker. Snoopy's graceful skate at Rockerfeller Plaza in New York City is additionally delightful. If you're a parent concerned with the lessons your child may learn from this film, allow me to present you with a list: gleeful content with who we are, acceptance of failure, healthy appreciation of victory, and perhaps most of all, how to be a friend. Charming. Beautiful. It will bring a smile to your face even after years of viewing. You will NOT be disappointed with this buy.
Rating: Summary: This is one of the Essential Peanuts movies. I love this. Review: When I was a little kid back in the day I loved this movie so much. It was so magical and the music just could not be compared. I enjoyed everything about the film, from the characters to the dialogue to the words they would flash on the screen. Even when Snoopy was ice skating in the park I loved that to death. This was everything to me when I was a kid and I will show this to my kids if I ever have them.
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