Writer: Charles Schulz
Director: Phil Roman
Cast: Bill Melendez, Lynn Mortensen, Stephen Shea, Duncan Watson, Melanie Kohn
Rating: G
Studio: Warner Bros
Release Date: January 15, 2008
Growing up, like most people, Charlie Brown was a big part of my life. I grew up with The Great Pumpkin, The Easter Beagle, the Christmas and Thanksgiving shows, and my personal favorite, Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown. I imagine that I have this in common with many kids of the 80s. You couldn’t get through a holiday without Charlie Brown and Garfield leading the way with cartoon specials. No matter how many times you see these they don’t get old. So, when Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown showed up, like a child, I was ecstatic and couldn’t wait to pop it in.
In remastered form, this DVD is as good as I remember it. I have to admit, I would have gladly purchased this one all on its own, but it was exciting to learn that it also included two additional episodes of Charlie Brown. Parents and children will find these DVDs to be some of the best in family entertainment. As something that both parents and children will love, Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown really is a must have for your collection.
Release Information:
Like most of the Peanuts franchise, Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown has been around for quite some time. This special DVD release was put out by Warner Bros. In remastered form, you will receive a beautiful copy of a timeless classic. The DVD offers three episodes include the Valentine’s Special Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown, It’s Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown and You’re in Love, Charlie Brown. There are also some nice special features included that Peanuts fans will really enjoy. This DVD was put out on January 15, 2008. It’s available at all major retailers, including Amazon.
The Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown Plot
In the first cartoon, Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown is fawning over his love for the little red haired girl and hoping that he gets a Valentine like everyone else. As the day gets closer he is hopeful that he will receive one, even showing up to school with a suitcase to carry them all home in! The unfortunate thing is that he doesn’t get one single Valentine. He is not the only one embarrassed though.
Linus buys a huge candy heart for his teacher only to find out that she’s ditched the party to be with her boyfriend. He ends up chasing her car in the parking lot as Sally ends up chasing him unsure of why he is trying to give her candy to someone else. This leads him to the bridge where he tosses the candy and curses love in general. Lucy even ends up so frustrated with love that she busts Schroeder’s piano hoping for a little attention. This does not bother him though. He just goes into the closet and picks out another piano!
It sounds rather depressing in basic terms, but it’s lighthearted and funny at the same time. You can’t help but feel for Charlie when he receives his candy heart and it reads, “Forget it, kid.” However, in an age where every child is required to buy a Valentine for everyone in their class, the Charlie Brown’s are few and far between anymore. This is what the Peanuts Specials were made of though. Charlie Brown is the perpetual loser. You know he will lose, but you love him nonetheless, even if no one else does.
Even the ending is somewhat pathetic, in that classic Charlie Brown way. The kids decide to recycle some of their Valentine cards to be nice and Schroeder is disgusted with them. He has no idea what to say when Charlie Brown seems excited and takes the cards anyway, since that was all he could get! I don’t know about you, but it makes me want to send him a Valentine right now.
The other cartoons in the set are It’s Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown and You’re In Love, Charlie Brown. These cartoons stray somewhat from the traditional Peanuts formula, allowing Charlie Brown to have a few wins, rather than all losses. The result is that they are not that Classic Peanuts that people absolutely adore. While entertaining, they are not quite the same caliber as the first cartoon in the set.
You’re in Love, Charlie Brown has Charlie Brown obsessing over the little red haired girl. He wants to ask her out, but he is pettrified and unable to talk to her. In the end, he finds out that she likes him, as well. In It’s Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown has to escort the little red haired girl to the homecoming dance after losing the big football game (Lucy pulled the ball out again). However, he goes to the dance and is the life of the party. This isn’t really shown, but Linus tells him all the sordid details, even the one about his first kiss.
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Directing:
Audio/Visual:
Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown is presented in a 1.33:1 video transfer. This episode is cleaned up, remastered, and looking beautiful. The other two episodes show a little age and fading, but they are still watchable. The main difference is that their ages show and Valentine looks brand new. The sound comes courtesy of Dolby Digital English Mono sound and it sounds pretty close to what I remember from my childhood. It is a solid sound and it works just fine for this release.
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Audio:
Bonus Features:
The main special feature on this DVD is a mini-documentary, “Unlucky in Love: A Requited Love Story”. The documentary includes Lee Mendelson, Craig and Jean Schultz, and Phil Cousineau, along with other people. These individuals are all discussing the Peanuts specials, Valentine more often than not, and Charles Schultz. This mini-documentary lasts for nearly 15 minutes.
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Bottom Line:
This re-creation of Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown is absolutely gorgeous. Children might be sad, hoping that Charlie Brown will find love or get a valentine, but it showed Shultz’ ability to offer a little realism with his animation. Not everyone gets what they want, but Charlie Brown never really loses hope and in the end, he is an endearing and funny character that we all can relate to in some way. Personally, I have always loved Charlie Brown and the gang. I doubt there is anything that will ever change that. This DVD comes highly recommended. You won’t want to miss it.
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Technorati Tags: Charlie Brown, Kids Movie, Holiday Movie, Valentine’s Day, Be My Valentine, DVD Review, WB
Written by Ashtyn Evans – Visit Website
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Ashtyn is in her early 30s. She is a mother, writer, college student, and music lover. Ashtyn has had a successful career as a writer since 2003. She turned to blogging in 2005. Ashtyn is getting a degree in Psychology. She has extensive knowledge in SEO and Social Media Development.
