The biggest problem with 'Snoopy's Reunion' should be evident in even the title considering that it strays from the long-standing tradition that all 'Peanuts' TV special titles should be statements or questions directed at Charlie Brown (It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, It was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown, etc), it isn't really that big a surprise that the story takes so many liberties with established 'Peanuts' history and principles. In many ways, this special could be received as an absolute nightmare for any nitpicking fan. An earlier source, the feature film 'Snoopy Come Home', revealed that the boisterous beagle had indeed once belonged to a little girl named Lila before being passed on into Charlie Brown's hands so, that's something that the two instalments can at least agree on. See, the events depicted in 'Snoopy's Reunion' conflict with it over just about every other detail concerning how the boy and his dog first came to be together, the most noticeable being the well-observed fact that Sally wasn't even born when her brother acquired his new pet, something which this story strangely ignores (heck, it even shows her as being at her current age when it happened). It also breaks the Golden Rule that you never actually show the adults in the 'Peanuts' world (at least not their faces), or convey their speech as anything other than trombone-sounding gibberish. Well, I guess it made it easier for them to tell this particular tale, but since the kids and the dogs are still the main focus, I feel that with a little more thought they could've found a way round it.
But, no matter how nagging those faults can be, I find that I just can't stay mad at this special for long. In context with the rest of Charlie Brown's resume, it may seem lazy and inconsistent, but as a stand-alone story it still comes through as quite a pleasant little heart-warmer, partly poignant, partly bittersweet and partly upbeat and uplifting. Snoopy and his seven siblings (this looks like as good a time as any to show off my extensive 'Peanuts' knowledge Andy, Belle, Marbles, Molly, Olaf, Rover and Spike are the names of all those guys!) are certainly very cute and make a fine little team from the beginning, so it's actually kinda sad to see them all get separated as puppies going off with different owners, furthermore when they're finally all reunited and discover that the world, physically at least, has moved on quite a bit since they were last together. But it's the way that the beagle kin react to this realisation that makes the whole thing so worthwhile that spirit of theirs is something to be marvelled at.
There isn't really a great deal in the way of plot, dialogue or humour, but the appeal of those extroverted dogs is just about enough to carry it for the 24 minute running time (and it ends not a moment too soon). To sum up, I'd say it's worth a watch for any 'Peanuts' fan, provided that they're willing to overlook just how many odds it's at with the rest of the cannon.
Grade: B
But, no matter how nagging those faults can be, I find that I just can't stay mad at this special for long. In context with the rest of Charlie Brown's resume, it may seem lazy and inconsistent, but as a stand-alone story it still comes through as quite a pleasant little heart-warmer, partly poignant, partly bittersweet and partly upbeat and uplifting. Snoopy and his seven siblings (this looks like as good a time as any to show off my extensive 'Peanuts' knowledge Andy, Belle, Marbles, Molly, Olaf, Rover and Spike are the names of all those guys!) are certainly very cute and make a fine little team from the beginning, so it's actually kinda sad to see them all get separated as puppies going off with different owners, furthermore when they're finally all reunited and discover that the world, physically at least, has moved on quite a bit since they were last together. But it's the way that the beagle kin react to this realisation that makes the whole thing so worthwhile that spirit of theirs is something to be marvelled at.
There isn't really a great deal in the way of plot, dialogue or humour, but the appeal of those extroverted dogs is just about enough to carry it for the 24 minute running time (and it ends not a moment too soon). To sum up, I'd say it's worth a watch for any 'Peanuts' fan, provided that they're willing to overlook just how many odds it's at with the rest of the cannon.
Grade: B