Some franchises have such a enduring, rich history that they become multi-generational institutions. With roots dating back to 1950, Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang certainly fit the bill, and with similarly veteran properties like Alvin and the Chipmunks being dusted off for a new generation, the release of The Peanuts Movie seems kind of inevitable in hindsight.

As if most moviegoers didn’t know, the film centers on the prematurely bald, worrisome Charlie Brown (Bridge of Spies‘ Noah Schnapp) as he attempts to win the attention of the unnamed Little Red-Haired Girl who moves nearby. A series of hilarious, well-intentioned misadventures ensue, all while Snoopy works on a project of his own: writing a story about the Flying Ace’s triumph over the Red Baron.

Plot-wise, that’s pretty much the gist of The Peanuts Movie. However, the film’s simplistic plot suits the earnest material incredibly well, tapping into the nostalgia behind the property as well as the universal themes that Charles M. Schulz’s creations regularly tackled. Along the way, the film incorporates a number of classic Peanuts gags (yes, that football one pops up) and even uses Bill Melendez’ original recordings as the voice of Snoopy and Woodstock.

Although they exist mostly to serve Charlie Brown’s story, the rest of the characters all receive their standout moments, with the cast filled out by a charming group of largely unknown young actors that thankfully stay true to their predecessors’ performance style. In fact, The Peanuts Movie feels nearly completely in keeping with the wholesome, sweet and witty style of Schulz’s work. Another nod to the franchise’s history: the hand-drawn animation that many have grown up with is featured in the film in the form of thought bubbles that pop up near Charlie Brown’s head.

Despite today’s more frenetic animated offerings, the film sticks with what has worked for decades and avoids the potty humor or unnecessarily spastic delivery of any over-the-top gags. Instead, it manages to be a timeless family adventure — not unlike last year’s Paddington — and deliver its message of following your heart and being persistence in the face of life’s obstacles without resorting to desperate attempts to placate its younger viewers.

That being said, there is the oft chance that younger kids accustomed to the antics of Spongebob Squarepants or Shrek might get antsy during The Peanuts Movie, but for the most part, the film’s bright color palette — brilliantly rendered by Blue Sky Studios of Ice Age fame — and the action sequences involving Snoopy embracing his inner fighter pilot should keep them entertained throughout the 93-minute runtime, even if said Flying Ace sequences do get a bit tiresome after awhile.

Still, longtime fans of the characters should walk away from The Peanuts Movie more than satisfied with how the franchise has been reborn with this film. Despite its flaws, the film is a nearly pitch-perfect adaptation of Schulz’s work, one that neatly sidesteps the trappings that far too many of today’s reboots slip into. With any luck, this is simply the beginning of a whole new age of Peanuts entertainment, as the film stands as probably the best non-Pixar animated film to land in theaters this year.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Follow Robert Yaniz Jr. on Twitter @CrookedTable!

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