Load of rubbish!!

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

Movie needs more love-laced scenes from all of the characters making an effort in their lives, like real people.When I chose to view the movie, your DVD cover art of Linus hugging Snoopy had me hoping for a lot more cozy heartwarming scenes. More hugs, more tea parties or the like, more laughs, more sweet acts of helping each other out as neighbors. Maybe even community dances, walks in park, sports scenes (ski?).. creative thoughts here.The movie was enjoyable, you guys worked so very hard and it shows!! I hope Lucy and Snoopy (I don't remember Snoopy having the vicious eye look which is not a good movie memory and makes me think twice if I want to see the next movie) and Schroeder's character's will not be quite so mean to one another in future films, (that I hope you make) but everyone will display a moral code of integrity and gentleness trying and including more acts of kindness and joy! Maybe Charlie Brown smiles on occasion with a couple nice achievements in his life every so often. Don't forget to include Snoopy's 'joy dance' reflecting good things that happen to him and his friends!! Maybe Schroeder and Lucy can be a lot more civil as well as Linus and Sally toward one another - as many people relate to these relationships also and most likely hope for guidance similar to Mr. Schulz's original "Peanuts" movies.Best Wishes!!

Let me say first off that I am a huge Peanuts fan. I've followed them since early childhood and it is still deeply rooted into my character. But there was a lot of strange elements about this special that really irked me.My biggest problem was Linus himself. He didn't seem like the intelligent, spiritually-savvy kid he had been throughout the comics and many of the specials. Instead he seemed very angry, rather short tempered and seemed different in a very non-refreshing way. But out of all of the things that made me cringe about him, the biggest was towards the end where he exclaimed: "DO YOU WANT ME TO END UP LIKE CHARLIE BROWN?!?"Ouch.Which brings up another point of mine: Charlie Brown himself. It seemed that the Peanuts Gang was being especially rude and cold-hearted to good old Chuck. I felt genuinely bad for him, which detracted a lot from the main premise of the feature.Now, all that out of the way, I must add in some of the pros, because there were many. I think that the art in this special shone. There was one scene where Linus was standing in a field looking up at the sky for his blanket (which had been turned into a kite and flew away) while the sun set. It gave me the chills. Linus is my favorite character and it displayed him as the philosophical and wise character we all know. The art direction really suggested a back-to-basics sort of feel, very retro, and very different...and very cool.I especially enjoyed the usage of Charles M. Schultz's comics. They were engraved into some of the writing, and the majority of the plot.All in all, it turned out to be a very mediocre hour for me. Part of it screamed "THIS IS GREAT" but the other, "Yikes."In the words of Linus: "It has its drawbacks."

First, I'll get all the good stuff out of the way. I love the animation. They retain most of the elements that make the Peanuts specials look the way they do. They enhance the style with a few things that are truly spectacular. There are far more shots the utilize a greater sense of perspective. The animation for talking is much more realistic, and Snoopy has some really great animations, making him a little less human, and a bit more dog. This makes him more endearing. Seeing the Peanuts universe in widescreen adds a lot of depth to the experience. Combined with the absence of adults (none of the story takes place at school) there's a greater sense of the world that the kids live in. There are some very enjoyable gags recreated for the story, including the first strip. The story seems a little more adult. While there's a whole lot of jumping around from vignette to vignette, the overall story deals with security, and Linus has a spectacular monologue near the end where he points out the reliance of most of the other characters on their crutches. While this is not of much interest to kids, it seemed surprisingly powerful material for adults.The negative elements, and there are a few, but they aren't deal-breakers. The voices aren't quite right. For most of the characters, it doesn't seem too bad. Lucy seemed notably off, though. Lucy seems more cruel than usual. A little less passively mean than she usually was, and a little more outwardly so. The special is more scattered than it should be. Most of the time, I don't mind this, but one instance really was annoying; we see Lucy playing checkers with Violet. Then the action follows Linus outside. We see Lucy skipping rope past him. Then the shot switches back to Lucy being back inside, still playing checkers.I have doubts that this special will be of as much interest to children as it will to adults. But I don't think that's a bad thing. The depth of the program will make it more suitable for children who are growing up.

I must admit I was a bit dubious about this new special for it was the 1st one without the great and late Bill Melendez. It seems Lee Mendelson was not involved either, but Schulz' son was. This one stood out from all the other post-Schulz era specials for its '60s style. As a comic-strip fan I appreciate attention to detail. The "classic" effect obtained through the retro animation worked out pretty well, bringing some nostalgia. The story development was somewhat modern, deeper, beyond previous attempts, and yet kept all the action faithful to the Peanuts world and spirit. The gags were delightfully funny, they cracked me up quite a few times. I simply loved the use of one of the most famous Beethoven symphonies, but I won't spoil it for you. Not only the music, but the way they managed to create a matching animated treat, was indeed a creative highlight.The color tones used according to mood, the "reaction" of some cards to Linus' feelings, and flashbacks to the very first specials truly shone.The plot might not be complex. However, by using the well-known blanket attachment issues Linus has, they address the insecurity most of the other characters have, their human weakness, which is not to plainly be criticized, but rather accepted as a natural part of life.Another remarkable element was the comeback of some old characters that had not gotten much attention over the years. Again, an interesting addition for all the fans, in an already captivating special that has enough quality potential to be considered an instant Peanuts classic. Growing up was never as bittersweet, and as thoroughly enjoyable as doing it along Linus, Snoopy, good ol' Charlie Brown, and the rest of the gang!