A Charlie Brown Christmas

Rating:
Summary: The True Classic & Vince Guaraldi Too
Review: It's wonderful to have this touching cartoon finally on dvd. While many may object to what they call 'too much religious content' (Linus quotes Scripture briefly in this feature), the peanuts gang bring to us a meaning of christmas from a viewpoint that no other holiday classic does, again, by Linus quoting Scripture. While many indulge in the santa mythology, others in roman catholicism dogma, (fitting since that religion created the holiday in the first place), this absolutely stunning masterpiece of entertaiment dares to go where no one else has gone before...by Linus quoting Scripture, particularly from the 2nd chapter of Dr. Luke's Gospel. And the cartoon is textured throughout by the masterful piano of Vince Guaraldi. Now, if we could only get something as touching dealing with the Gospel message...the death, burial, and resurrection of the Glorified Christ....Sola Scriptura

Rating:
Summary: The perfect Christmas special
Review: With Christmas coming to Peanuts-land, Charlie Brown suffers from holiday angst. The commercialism of the season, a mailbox always lacking Christmas cards and his little sister's monetary demands to Santa make Chuck wonder if Christmas is really something to anticipate. Unable to get any good advice from a therapy session with Lucy, Charlie Brown seems destined to be miserable through the holidays. Of all the Charlie Browns in the world, he is indeed the Charlie Browniest.

To cheer him up, the gang puts Charlie Brown in charge of a very weird Christmas pageant that features a Christmas Queen, Beethoven music, a few people dressed as nativity characters and a stage full of dancers doing the same dance steps over and over and over. But Orson Welles he is not, and Chuck fails as a director.

The gang gives him one last chance to redeem himself by putting him in charge of procuring a Christmas tree. It is at this moment that the show makes a drastic switch in tone and ambition. The opening acts are full of silly set-ups and easy jokes. But as Chuck and his faithful pal Linus set out toward the Christmas tree lot, the narrative slows and strives for poignancy.

The perpetually needle-shedding little tree they obtain and Linus's eventual speech on the true meaning of Christmas have become iconic moments for the holiday season. Linus himself seems to guide the last half of the show, as the baby-faced blankie-wielding introvert swoops in and steals Charlie Brown's Christmas special from him. Linus sees the potential for greatness in the little tree, believing it only needs some love. Indeed, the eternal optimism and right-mindedness of Charlie Brown's best friend transforms the show from a gloomy diatribe against modern Christmas to a declaration on the potential for beauty and wonder to blossom everywhere during the Christmas season.


Rating:
Summary: A wonderful tradition
Review: I have been watching a Charlie Brown Christmas since I was very little. I love watching Charlie and his little disoriented christmas tree. He always seems to find the beauty in everything even when the whole gang is against him. The scene in which Linus explains the true meaning of Christmas is one of my favorites. It makes me sad to think that so many people are against it. I was actually afraid that this year (2004) they wouldnt show this movie on TV because of the religious content but joy overwhelmed me when i saw the preview for it (next tuesday at 8:00!) I think we must go back to the basics, realize that Christmas isnt just about some big man in a suit delivering gifts to children. Its about family, spirituality and having an open mind (acceptance). I recommend this movie to everyone because its hard to find something so simple yet so powerful these days.

Rating:
Summary: A Christmas Classic
Review: This is an excellent DVD in several ways. First, it tells a story cynical in the peanuts fashion but still sweet and genuine. My three year old son sat on the sofa watching with eys glued and displaying facial expressions along with the story. It simply does not lose its relevance with age. Second, it is well created. The video seemed clear to me. On any normal TV I'm sure it will look great. (View it on a 200" monster screen and expect some fuzziness). In addition, the sound was great. I fully expected some hissing and spitting, but it was very clear. We play our DVD's through a good receiver and you can tell when something is well recorded. This was. The entire sound range was crisp and clear. These two things really make the experience that much better.

In summary: Great story / very good video / excellent sound.

Rating:
Summary: Truly "The Best!"
Review: How do you define one of the best half hour special movies of the Christmas season? Charlie Brown, that's how, and this really nice story focuses on Charlie and his friends, and one the antics of his dog, who "buys into" the contemporary or what we'd call "materialistic" side of the holiday. In fact, this little film is a call to all of us to re-evaluate what our priorities are about. Everything from money to possessions to psychotherapy to absurdity to a simple tree to the actual "Christmas Story" as found in the Bible. This is a great little Christmas movie, and our family loves it.

Every home shouldn't be without this highly recommended movie. And the music is great!!!