Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.0

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Blu-ray Movie Review

Surprise! This holiday release is actually a Double Feature...

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown August 25, 2010

Here lies Thanksgiving. Born on the back of hardship, Thanksgiving has become a pale imitation of itself. Gratitude has been replaced by entitlement. Reflection has been erased from the schedule. Family gatherings have been sullied by three televised NFL games, all-too-familiar arguments with single-serving relatives, and that bizarre cheddar cheese, pineapple and marshmallow concoction your aunt swears is "simply deee-licious." Charles Schulz, Peanuts creator and general purveyor of *gasp* worthwhile values, was well aware of these changing tides, as was Bill Melendez, the television producer and director responsible for holiday classics A Charlie Brown Christmas, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and, of course, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. To their great credit, each pointed, arguably poignant Peanuts television special actually has something to say. No special ops penguins battling a vicious poodle, no zoo animals commandeering Santa's sleigh, no turkey-craving dinos hunting down a meal. But what does that mean for holiday specials like A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving in the iFueled, PS3-haze of the 21st Century? Will they continue to be holiday staples or become distant memories? As Lucy quips in its opening scene, "isn't it peculiar, Charlie Brown, how some traditions just slowly fade away."

"Okay, that makes it easy! You simply have two dinners."

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving doesn't resonate as readily as A Charlie Brown Christmas -- which offers a more insightful commentary, one involving consumerism and contentedness -- but it still asks nostalgic adults and a generation of less-than-rosy cheeked children the same invaluable question: is it possible to retain the spirit of a traditional holiday in the fast-paced hustle and bustle of the modern world? (I imagine Schulz, who died in early 2000, would have been even more disheartened by the emerging trends of the last ten years than he was by those in the '70s, '80s and '90s.) Its story is both simple and relevant. When Peppermint Patty invites herself and several others to Charlie Brown's house for Thanksgiving, Schultz's self-loathing every-boy has to figure out how to cram two dinners, one with his friends and one with his family, into his hectic holiday schedule. Overwhelmed by the seemingly impossible task before him, Chuck is promptly rescued by Linus and pet pooch Snoopy, both of whom ransack the kitchen and prepare an early Thanksgiving lunch for Peppermint Patty and her pals. Before long, buttered toast, jelly beans, popcorn, whip cream sundaes and pretzels make it onto the menu, and one of the most enviable Thanksgiving feasts (at least in the eyes of this thirty-something kid) is cemented in television history.

While every minute of A Charlie Brown Christmas -- lighthearted or otherwise -- points to its message, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving has a bit more fun with its second act. Snoopy's whirlwind meal prep is a joy to watch unfold, even if the simplicity of the animation will probably bore some seasoned kids. But like any true animated classic, the film strikes a careful balance between the musings of Schultz's overtly grownup tots (who dwell in an infectious, sharply penned world of satirical grade school psychology) and the toast-juggling, corn-popping, sugar-coated hijinks that ensue. The more intellectual dialogue and direct social commentary that peppers the special is always paired with context and grounded exposition, meaning children will be able to easily follow the story while parents will get a kick out of its biting subtext. That being said, the scales still tip toward the kiddies, and the whole of A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is more lightweight than some of its franchise brethren. Like A Charlie Brown Christmas, Linus finds himself standing at another do-it-yourself pulpit (in this case a converted ping pong table) and delivers an all-too-familiar schpeel. But unlike its Christmas counterpart, this historical sermon isn't quite as organic, and doesn't strum as deep a chord. Ah well. Nitpicks aside, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving exudes honesty, humility and simplicity; a trio of heart-warming essentials that would seriously benefit the recent glut of mediocre animated television specials.

It may not be advertised as such, but the Blu-ray release of A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is more akin to a Double Feature. (Yes, yes. I know. Labeling a 25-minute television special as a "feature" takes some getting used to.) Also included is Mayflower Voyagers, a second Peanuts outing that focuses on the history of Thanksgiving rather than its celebration. Voyagers casts Charlie Brown and his friends as the Pilgrims who made the journey to Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620, and layers in a tremendous amount of historical detail (at least as far as children's programming goes). The first part of an eight-episode, 1988 television miniseries, This is America, Charlie Brown, it doesn't offer nearly as much humor or modern satire as A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving or Christmas, but it isn't dry or overly academic either. Instead, it walks a fine line between educational and entertaining, putting the majority of its emphasis on the drama of the first Thanksgiving, the perseverance of the Pilgrims and the generosity of their native hosts. Like a keenly produced school play, there's a sweetness to the narration and a restraint in the animated and vocal performances that makes Voyagers as enjoyable as more well-known Peanuts specials. (Even if, like any school play, punches are pulled and the severity of the Pilgrims' wintry trials are repackaged for all ages.)

If Mayflower Voyagers falters, it's in its use of the Peanuts characters. While Charlie Brown, Sally, Linus, Lucy, Peppermint Patty, Marcie, Pig-Pen, Schroeder, Woodstock and Snoopy all make appearances, the bulk of the Pilgrims and all of the Native Americans are adults; a strange sight in a world Schulz populated with children, beagles and birds. With such a massive cast of characters to choose from, the Pilgrims could have easily been comprised of members from the Peanuts gang. Although I suppose seeing such beloved young characters starve, contend with the elements, and fight off disease might have been more distracting. Regardless, Mayflower Voyagers is a perfect companion to A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, and dives headlong into a true tale only hinted at in Linus' Thanksgiving speeches. Of the two, I doubt most children will be as eager to revisit Voyagers -- some will complain it's the sort of thing they'd watch in school -- but it's a welcome addition to this holiday release. And considering Thanksgiving specials are in short supply, getting two high definition animated specials for the price of one is a definite plus. Pick up this release, set aside an hour, and share both with your family.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

While A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and Mayflower Voyagers have received comparable 1080p/VC-1 transfers, the latter shows its age. Originally broadcast in 1973, the first special is softer, grainier and less consistent than Mayflower Voyagers, a single episode from the 1988 miniseries, This is America, Charlie Brown. Separated by a decade, the second special is cleaner, sharper and more satisfying, and handily steals the show from the set's namesake. Even so, Warner should be commended for granting yet another animated catalog title a solid presentation. Colors are bright and attractive, contrast is strong, black levels are appropriately inky, and the individual textures of the specials have been preserved. The animators' lines have also been faithfully rendered, even to a fault. (Granted, a complete overhaul and a high-dollar restoration could alleviate some of the first special's shortcomings, but let's be realistic. A 1973 Peanuts television special isn't going to move enough units to justify the cost of a complete overhaul.) If I have any lingering complaint it's that some negligible artifacting slithers into A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. Otherwise, both presentations are quite proficient and should quell any pangs of nostalgia a high definition Peanuts release stirs up.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Here we go again. While A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving sounds like a classic record courtesy of its positively quaint DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, Mayflower Voyagers sounds like a shiny new CD thanks to its cleaner, clearer DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix. However, the age of each special is the biggest factor to consider, and both sonic experiences are about as competent and capable as one could reasonably expect. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, thirty-seven years old and as front-heavy as the day it was broadcast, isn't blessed with crystal clear dialogue -- slight distortion is present, a product of the limitations inherent to the original recording -- or any sort of immersive soundfield, but it does handle everything that comes its way with respect and integrity. The special's music, while a tad muffled, is relatively agile; normalization and prioritization are spot on; and dynamics, despite being thin by their very nature, are adequate. Mayflower Voyagers, meanwhile, doesn't have much to offer beyond its narration and musical score, but sounds as if it were produced yesterday. Voices are crisp and refined, song selections are restrained but nimble, and the few effects that do pop up mingle modestly in the mix. Ultimately, neither one is particularly noteworthy, but each one gets the job done.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

In addition to Mayflower Voyagers, the second high definition holiday special included in this Peanuts double feature, "Popcorn & Jellybeans: Making a Thanksgiving Classic" (HD, 12 minutes) digs into the creation of A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. It isn't very long, it isn't very extensive, but it's appreciated nonetheless.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Warner's second Peanuts Blu-ray release should be advertised as a Double Feature. Mayflower Voyagers is just as endearing as A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, and both films are the same length. Neither one outclasses A Charlie Brown Christmas, a tried-and-true animated holiday classic, but nostalgic parents like myself will be excited to introduce their wide-eyed brood to one of their childhood favorites. The Blu-ray edition is somewhat hit-or-miss -- its AV presentation is fairly faithful, but showcases each film's age, its supplemental package is limited, and its pricepoint is a bit steep -- but anyone armed with appropriate expectations won't mind.