After years of waiting, it’s a pleasure to finally sink into “The peanuts Movie”, the latest animated movie from Blue Sky Studios that radiates charm like no other film of its genre. The classic characters that Charles M. Shulz created for his series of  “Charlie Brown” stories have an irresitible appeal that carries over beautifully to the movie. There’s Snoopy, the colorful dog who hangs out with his pal Woodstock. Then there’s Charlie Brown, who is desperately trying to impress the new girl in school. Not enough plot there to stock a Star Wars trailer. But that’s part of what I like about this colorful movie. There’s not an ounce of pushiness in its remarkably short running time. The voice work, from Noah Shnapp as Charlie to Bill Melendez, is a match for the artful animation. The plot doesn’t really thicken or even come close. But only those who never watched Shulz’s classic Charlie Brown series would fail to appreciate the subtle magic brewing here. “The Peanuts Movie” is 80 minutes of pure joy.

Rating: 3/4