Race For Your Life, Charlie Brown

The world of Peanuts is certainly blunt. The scenarios.  The way these kids talk to each other.  Very realistic.  You might look at Charles M. Schulz's creation as a primer for Real Life.  In 1977's RACE FOR YOUR LIFE, CHARLIE BROWN maybe some of what unfolds pushes the limits of plausibility.  High adventure that probably goes far beyond the kind of summer camp experiences you may have had.  Even if you happened to brave white water rapids and bullies with technology at their disposal.

Charlie Brown and the gang arrive at Camp Remote, high enough in the mountains where it snows every night.  Chuck of course missed the bus there and had to hitch a ride with Snoopy and Woodstock on their chopper, a clear nod to EASY RIDER.  He will join Linus, Peppermint Patty, Schroeder, Sally, Franklin, Lucy, and Marcie (in her debut in a Peanuts feature film) as they do the usual camp things: tug-of-war, arts and crafts, exercise regimens.  The highlight: a several day raft race over treacherous rapids.  A trio of assholes - who cheat and sabotage and tell everyone "We're number one!" at every opportunity - are the gang's main competitors.  Actually, no other contestants are seen.   Apparently these little shits win every year, perhaps because they have a souped up raft with radar and sonar.  

RACE FOR YOUR LIFE, CHARLIE BROWN is filled with peril. It is actually a little darker and more stressful than I remembered.  The kids are nearly blown up at one point! Snoopy also suffers not only the dirty tricks of the trio, but separation anxiety from Woodstock during a storm.  Things get fairly maudlin, though nowhere nearly as much as in SNOOPY, COME HOME.  Overall this is the usual lighthearted fare, punctuated by that brutal dialogue among these perpetual children.  More than once all his "friends" are ready to dismiss and give up on Charlie Brown when things look dire.  It's enough to sometimes make you wish these brats would......

No, no.  Just kidding.  I have a big heart for all things Peanuts, even when I want to cover their big mouths..  Directors Bill Melendez and Phil Roman create an eventful, eye filling ride out of Schulz's script, inspired by his own experiences on rough waters.  There is some sly satire here and there, especially when Peppermint Patty calls for yet another vote by secret ballot.  How the race ends up is also a beauty.

P.S. - Love those psychedelic end credits!