review for A Boy Named Charlie Brown on AllMovie

After making his mark in comic strips and television, it was only a matter of time before Charlie Brown hit the big screen. A Boy Named Charlie Brown is a very good debut vehicle, although not as perfect as one might wish. At 86 minutes, it goes on a little too long and the pacing is uneven; the animation is sometimes a little too stiff (although it is very good in many other places, and the character design itself is right on the money), and much of the score is only passable. That said, the pluses more than make up for these negatives. The story, though episodic, is involving and gives plenty of room for the wry humor that is the strip's hallmark. The characters are presented quite faithfully, and the somewhat melancholy air that underlies the humor is preserved to good effect. The "Star Spangled Banner" sequence and -- even more so -- the "Pathetique Sonata" sequence are wonderfully animated, with the latter showing an impressive degree of imagination and skill. Due to its concern with fears and troubles that are as real to adults as to children, Charlie Brown can be enjoyed by grown-ups as easily as by children.