The 'Peanuts' gang star in a new feature film

If you were to ask someone from America if they like peanuts, the question would possibly elicit a very different response to that of someone from the UK. In the US the word "peanuts" does not merely conjure up thoughts of salty snacks, it is also synonymous with a very successful comic strip that features a group of lovable characters, most famously Snoopy and Charlie Brown. However, the association may soon become more commonly known in the UK with the release of a movie version of the Peanuts comic. In order to avoid confusion, the distributors have given the film different titles: in the US it's simply called The Peanuts Movie, whereas the UK release has been named Snoopy and Charlie Brown - The Peanuts Movie, to account for the fact that those two characters are better known outside America under their names rather than as part of a comic strip.

Snoopy and his pals are the creation of American cartoonist Charles Schulz, who drew from life, his own personality and people around him, to create a comic strip named Peanuts which ran for a remarkable 50 years, from 1950 to 2000. Schulz both wrote and drew all of the illustrations for the comic and his goal was to bring characters to the world who were relatable and engaging. The success of this aim resulted in the strip attaining massive popularity. Published in newspapers worldwide, it also spawned many books and animated television specials. Peanuts has been a significant influence on The Simpsons and South Park and its characters are still popular today.

Charlie Brown is one of Peanuts' most known and most endearing characters. A young boy who is constantly at odds with his place in the world, he often seeks to shy away from life in order to protect himself from losing, something which is a regular occurrence for him. This is juxtaposed by Snoopy, Charlie Brown's extrovert, bold, happy pet dog. Snoopy embarks on many adventures with his friend, a small yellow bird named Woodstock, and also as his imaginary fighter pilot alter-ego, The Flying Ace. Other prominent characters include Linus, a wise and sensitive kid who is dependent upon a security blanket; sporty and outspoken Peppermint Patty; and loud-mouth Lucy, who dispenses psychological advice from a lemonade-style stand (mainly to Charlie Brown, to whom she is brutally honest about his failings).

Humour and light-heartedness forge the tone of Peanuts, so anxiety and character flaws are often played for laughs, but there is also a serious side - Schulz was not afraid to be dark and melancholic as well as silly and fun. Although the characters are children, they are sometimes psycho-analytical and philosophical in ways that are far beyond their years. This became a staple of the comic strip, making it appealing to adults, but it also resonates with younger readers. Difficult topics associated with life, childhood and growing up feature heavily, some of which include being an outsider, unrequited love, fear of the future and personal insecurities and also extend to discussions on morality and society. The humour is often subtle and is strengthened through increased familiarity with the characters. Peanuts has a depth and complexity which was cultivated from the heart and mind of someone who poured his emotions, thoughts and observations into his work.

Charles Schulz passed away 15 years ago, but any new versions of Peanuts are carefully protected and overseen by his family, which should ease any worries over the new film's loyalty to the style of the comic strip. This is not the first time the Peanuts characters have been afforded their own animated feature, several have been made for TV and video release since the 1960s, as well as TV shows and a DVD film in 2011. This transition from comic strip format to animation has worked extremely well so far and the animated adaptations are treasured by fans, but the new film is the first big-screen, CGI rendition of Peanuts. Whilst the filmmakers seem to have embraced new technology, reports suggest that they have not deviated too far from the feel of Schulz's strip and the original animated specials, something which was high on their agenda. There are certain things that fans have come to expect from Peanuts animation that are likely to be included in the new film, such as a jazz music soundtrack, Charlie Brown's sad voice, and Snoopy's doghouse doubling up as an aeroplane when the need arises.We'll find out if current fans will be satisfied and new ones recruited at the end of December, when Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie is released. The Blu-ray/DVD release will follow in 2016.

See the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pCoVQDD-OY

#film #entertainment #comic #wolverhampton