I love Snoopy, and I love all things Peanuts. After watching this movie for the first time in many years, I'm left wondering what happened to all the magic this time around. I have to assume that Schulz, Melendez, and everyone else involved were just going through a really rough time, because there's just no other way to account for the bad taste this movie leaves in my mouth.
This being Peanuts, of course there's some good stuff. The beach and library scenes (especially Snoopy's reaction to 'The Bunnies') are small masterpieces. Snoopy and Woodstock's road trip is full of wonder, especially their adventures in sneaking into the hospital; the bit with the gurney and the elevator is great fun. Snoopy's farewell party and Charlie Brown's sad lamentation are truly heart-wrenching. And nobody proclaims "No Dogs Allowed" better than Thurl Ravenscroft (he of "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch" fame).
But Snoopy's mean-spirited encounters with Linus and Lucy early on, and his bitter feuding with Charlie Brown, are all really out of place. Sure, Snoopy is always independent and even a bit snotty sometimes, but he's never cruel. Neither are Linus or Charlie Brown, for that matter (Lucy's another story, but that's why we love her). Throw in Lila's shameless manipulation of Snoopy's feelings, and the ultimate lack of joy in Snoopy's return at the end, and you've got one cold movie.
This being Peanuts, of course there's some good stuff. The beach and library scenes (especially Snoopy's reaction to 'The Bunnies') are small masterpieces. Snoopy and Woodstock's road trip is full of wonder, especially their adventures in sneaking into the hospital; the bit with the gurney and the elevator is great fun. Snoopy's farewell party and Charlie Brown's sad lamentation are truly heart-wrenching. And nobody proclaims "No Dogs Allowed" better than Thurl Ravenscroft (he of "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch" fame).
But Snoopy's mean-spirited encounters with Linus and Lucy early on, and his bitter feuding with Charlie Brown, are all really out of place. Sure, Snoopy is always independent and even a bit snotty sometimes, but he's never cruel. Neither are Linus or Charlie Brown, for that matter (Lucy's another story, but that's why we love her). Throw in Lila's shameless manipulation of Snoopy's feelings, and the ultimate lack of joy in Snoopy's return at the end, and you've got one cold movie.