I will say up front I am not familiar with anything regarding Charlie Brown and the Peanuts. I have no emotional or nostalgic attachment to the property. Yet, I was actually eager to go see the movie solely based on the animation preview I saw and on the great reviews, what I was expecting and what I wanted was just for my heart to be warmed for 90 minutes and the film really delivered on that, but might I add solely so.
Lets get this out of the way: the film is a little too one note and unfortunately uninsightful. It really lacks that edge of depth that could have sky-rocketed it towards "Lego Movie" territory. A couple of more running gags, a wider variety of emotional beats and a deeper character, if not characters, arch are all elements this film is lacking and that make it fall short in being called delightful.
But still, there are many adjectives that this film deserves: funny, sweat and heartfelt are only some of those. Not knowing anything of these characters it was incredible how quickly did I manage to identify them, distinguish them and relate to everyone. It really speaks to the potential of this property. It is fascinating to see how they dissect many ordinary social situations with the characters and what comes out of it. That also being lots of comedic moments, many of which noticeably work thanks to really good work from the music and the sound.
Not to mention the animation which is absolutely gorgeous and intelligent too. Many, many smart touches are added in and they are a pleasure to notice. But before that, a thing that really struck me is some of the shot composition and visual storytelling: this is definitely the area where the movie shines the most. There are shots that hit me right in the heart and added layers in one instant. It was absolutely wonderful to see people have so much trust for the power of the frame and actually deliver goods from them.
Talking strictly from a stranger of Charlie Brown perspective, I was smiling all the way through, I had a fun theater experience and actually look forward to an eventual sequel.
Lets get this out of the way: the film is a little too one note and unfortunately uninsightful. It really lacks that edge of depth that could have sky-rocketed it towards "Lego Movie" territory. A couple of more running gags, a wider variety of emotional beats and a deeper character, if not characters, arch are all elements this film is lacking and that make it fall short in being called delightful.
But still, there are many adjectives that this film deserves: funny, sweat and heartfelt are only some of those. Not knowing anything of these characters it was incredible how quickly did I manage to identify them, distinguish them and relate to everyone. It really speaks to the potential of this property. It is fascinating to see how they dissect many ordinary social situations with the characters and what comes out of it. That also being lots of comedic moments, many of which noticeably work thanks to really good work from the music and the sound.
Not to mention the animation which is absolutely gorgeous and intelligent too. Many, many smart touches are added in and they are a pleasure to notice. But before that, a thing that really struck me is some of the shot composition and visual storytelling: this is definitely the area where the movie shines the most. There are shots that hit me right in the heart and added layers in one instant. It was absolutely wonderful to see people have so much trust for the power of the frame and actually deliver goods from them.
Talking strictly from a stranger of Charlie Brown perspective, I was smiling all the way through, I had a fun theater experience and actually look forward to an eventual sequel.