Peanuts, the syndicated comic created by Charles M. Schulz that ran from October 1950 to February 2000, is one of my most favorite things ever.
I don't think American literature has ever provided us with a gang us relatable us the one provided by Schultz. Sure, Charlie Brown is probably one of the world's biggest losers ever, but how could you not end up rooting for him by the end of every strip? Every gag involving him losing made us laugh, and yet made us feel bittersweet about it. You couldn't help but feel bad for him.
And let's not forget the rest of the characters in Peanuts. Who didn't want a friend like the way to wise for his age Linus? Who didn't have a friend like the crabby and cynical Lucy that you couldn't help but hate, but ultimately agree with, since she's right? And who could forget how hilarious it was to see Lucy lusting after Schroeder, who didn't return her affections (As someone whose been in similar situations like that since her age, I cannot stress how bad I felt for her).
And let's not forget the most famous character in the strip, Snoopy. Snoopy, without a doubt, is one of the biggest, but most lovable smart asses ever. I doubt I'd ever want to own a dog like Snoopy, I'd be amused by him, but I wouldn't be able to handle his constant demands.
Anyway, I love how despite the simplicity of Peanuts, its able to convey so much emotion that was easily translated into its hand drawn TV specials and theatrical movies.
Sadly though, that brings me to the purpose of my post. Recently, 20th century Fox bought the rights to Peanuts, and have announced that they will release a new Peanuts film on Thanksgiving 2015. The worst part? It'll be CGI.
First of all, I cannot believe that Schultz's estate allowed this to happen. Peanuts doesn't belong in a CGI world. It doesn't keep with the essence of the original material.
I mean, look at how simple the animation was in the TV specials. CGI usually inhabits worlds with chaos, Peanuts isn't about that. There's an almost zen like quality to the strips that I doubt that the movie will capture.
In case you're wondering, the movie will be directed by Steve Martino, the director of Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!, which, in my opinion, is the best Dr. Seuss adaption ever, but he also hid Ice Age: Continental Drift, which is the worst Ice Age movie ever. I have mixed feelings about the director.
I'm not going to lie though, even though I think CGI is a horrible idea for Peanuts, I'm still going to see the movie. I love Peanuts way to much to not at least be curious about it
