Rating: «««
out of ««««
Running Time: 22 minutes per episode
This Apple Original series is now available to stream on Apple TV+.
For some strange reason, over the last year or so this reviewer has been watching a significantly greater number of children’s shows. Among recent productions, Bluey is the current gold standard for animated fare (I could write pages about the best episodes of that program). Some other efforts are perfectly entertaining for kids, but this reviewer finds many to be surprisingly overactive. A few seem to have been created based on algorithms designed to exclusively capture the gaze of youngsters rather than provide meaningful entertainment.
Of course, there are still some familiar staples being produced. Peanuts has been around for some 70 plus years now. It may be comparatively low-key in relation to its modern counterparts, but it’s an always reliable source of family entertainment. Camp Snoopy is another enjoyable example that will captivate kids and keep the attention of adults as well.
This 13-episode series involves Charlie Brown (Etienne Kellici) and the Peanuts gang being sent to summer camp. When Snoopy learns that he isn’t joining his owner and that his “Beagle Scout” troop (made up of Woodstock and a group of nearly identical-looking birds) will lose their status and be disbanded if they don’t earn, well, at least a few merit badges, he finds a simple and direct but funny way of getting himself and his avian friends to the campsite. The group attempt to earn rewards that end up being more difficult than anticipated and also cross paths with the human campers who are dealing with their own quirky problems over the course of the program.
The storytelling is simple, with the episodes split into a few main plots (at least one involving Snoopy’s outfit) along with a brief, humorous sketch or two separating the segments. Many aspects of this show harken back to the original T.V. specials. The stories are very straightforward with a few sight gags and observations thrown in, all backed to a jazzy score.
After so many years, it’s still a nice approach. The creators deal with everyday problems (like not actually accomplishing much while attending, or making a new friend and worrying about the possibility of meeting each other again after camp ends) in a light and gentle manner. Despite not looking overly lavish, there are some nice scenic shots as the characters go hiking in the hills or canoeing on the lake. As an adult, it’s actually relaxing to watch, yet the youngster I viewed it with was attentive and never became tired or disinterested during an episode.
There is definitely repetition present in the presentation and the humor and not every series of jokes or situations is hilarious to witness. But even as a parent, a few of the jokes do earn a chuckle. Charlie still earns himself plenty of lumps (which he goes over and processes in the final episode, trying to look for some sort of meaning out of the experience), but in this show Snoopy goes through almost as much of a hard time. The birds do want to take the easy way out to win their badges most of the time, leading to exasperation and frustration on the part of the canine. It’s also entertaining to see them change from a group that prefers a “glamping” experience in the woods to a team desperate to complete their tasks.
At the end of the day, Camp Snoopy isn’t revelatory, but it is a warm and, for older viewers, a nostalgic experience teaching some simple and basic life lessons in a cute manner. It can still entertain younger viewers, but won’t wind them up as some more hyperactive shows can do. If your kids are looking for a little summer fun but don’t want to, or aren’t able to leave the house, this show provides a reasonable alternative.
VISIT: WWW.CINEMASTANCE.COM
By Glenn Kay
For the Sun
