Snoopy Presents: For Auld Lang Syne (2021)

Snoopy Presents: For Auld Lang Syne, or simply For Auld Lang Syne, is the 46th Peanuts animated special. It is the first Peanuts special produced for Apple TV+, the first Peanuts special since Happiness Is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown ten years prior, the first Peanuts holiday special since I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown eighteen years prior, and the second special about New Year's Eve. It revolves around Lucy, who throws a New Year's Eve party to cheer herself up after her grandmother fails to show up for Christmas. The special was released exclusively on Apple TV+ on December 10, 2021. It was nominated for Best Animated Special Production at the 49th Annie Awards.

Plot

On the first week of December, Lucy begins Christmas preparations for the arrival of her grandmother, whom she loves dearly. Meanwhile, Charlie Brown tries to finish his New Year's resolutions, which, in typical fashion, he fails to do any of. Lucy compacts them to two specific ones: build a snowman (which he immediately fails at) and do something "remotely" creative. Elsewhere, Snoopy celebrates the arrival of his siblings. Spike, only having a childhood photo of him and the others, tries to take a new current photo, but is constantly stymied by bad luck.

On Christmas Eve, Lucy is distraught to learn that her grandmother is not coming this year (her reason is unknown) and solemnly worries that she is unloved. In an effort to feel better, she decides to throw a New Year's Eve party at an old abandoned theater, which she manages to rent with the numerous nickels Charlie Brown has paid her over the years. She invites everyone and has Charlie Brown be in charge of decorations, with the other kids also helping out. Snoopy's family gets invited to play live music at the party; however, when Spike's camera is accidentally destroyed, Spike decides to leave, saddening the dogs.

The party does not go the way Lucy wants, as everyone finds her rules boring. Soon, everyone becomes miserable as Lucy tries to get Linus to save the party, but he instead snaps back at Lucy for trying to make it about herself instead of her friends. As everyone leaves, Charlie Brown accidentally knocks down the decorations, essentially failing his second resolution. Snoopy and his siblings find Spike at the bus stop afterwards and apologize for what happened before. As Lucy misses the New Year hour, Charlie Brown meets with Linus and learns why Lucy was upset to begin with, empathizing with her.

Linus finds Lucy in her bedroom and reminds her that he loves her no matter what. Charlie Brown arrives to give words of encouragement and reveals that he brought everyone from the party after explaining the situation. Everyone pretends to restart the countdown as Lucy finally has a party that satisfies everyone, Franklin takes a good photo of Snoopy and his siblings together, and Lucy helps Charlie Brown with another New Year's resolution by immediately crossing it off: Being a good friend. The party ends with all the kids singing Auld Lang Syne in unison. Sometime later, Lucy talks to her grandmother on the phone about her plans to come and visit them for her birthday, which she is looking forward to.

Cast

Etienne Kellici as Charlie Brown

Terry McGurrin as Snoopy

Rob Tinkler as Woodstock, Spike, and Olaf

Lexi Perri as Peppermint Patty

Isabella Leo as Lucy

Wyatt White as Linus

Hattie Kragten as Sally

Holly Gorski as Marcie

Caleb Bellavance as Franklin

Natasha Nathan as Patty

Charlie Boyle as Violet

Jacob Soley as Pigpen

Matthew Mucci as Schroeder

Jackson Reid as Thibault and Maynard

Will Bhaneja as Shermy

Jacob Mazeral as José Peterson

Lucas Nguyen as Floyd

Katie Griffin as Belle

Mark Edwards as Andy

Cory Doran as Marbles

Harley Ruznisky as Tapioca Pudding

Maya Misaljevic as Frieda

Production

On October 19, 2020, Apple had signed a deal to acquire the streaming rights to the Peanuts holiday specials for Apple TV+, including orders for new specials to be produced for the service. On October 4, 2021, Apple had announced the release date and title for the special, with the trailer following on November 29.

Reception

The special was well received by critics and fans. Common Sense Media rated the film 4 out of 5, adding: "Peanuts New Year's movie is cute but not iconic." Joel Keller from Decider.com also rated it highly, saying, "Shifting the perspective to the usually confident Lucy, and showing a moment where she has a lack of confidence, is refreshing and welcome." Chuck Wilson from The Village Voice also praised the special, saying, "Kaytis and co-writers Alex Galatis and Scott Montgomery transform Lucy from a character of nostalgia into a girl as self-reflective and searching as any young person watching the special might be. Her crisis of self is sure to resonate, and that’s a triumph not only for Kaytis and company but for the late Charles Schulz, who gave his characters the gifts of grace and intelligence but also melancholy and doubt."

Accolades

References

External links

Snoopy Presents: For Auld Lang Syne at IMDb

"Snoopy Presents: For Auld Lang Syne". Rotten Tomatoes.