I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown

  • Review Date: September 27, 2009
  • Rated: NR
  • Genre: Family and Kids
  • Release Year: 2004
  • Running Time: 41 minutes

Common Sense Media says

Mild 2003 TV special best for big Peanuts fans.
  • Review Date: September 27, 2009
  • Rated: NR
  • Genre: Family and Kids
  • Release Year: 2004
  • Running Time: 41 minutes

Age(i)

2
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Quality(i)

 
(i)
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What parents need to know

Positive messages

Some characters are friendly to each other. Snoopy is a joyful dog and his energy is contagious. The characters are all seeking friendship, companionship, and fun. The intended message is that having a dog is a big responsibility, though that idea isn't strongly conveyed.

Positive role models

Charlie Brown is a decent kid, a good friend, and he tries to help his friends. But he doesn't play a big role in this movie. Little Rerun is a sweet optimistic boy, but he's constantly criticized by his mean older sister Lucy. The older characters can be pretty rude to each other, and Lucy's negativity is pronounced at times, including threats of cartoon violence.

Violence & scariness

Frequent hitting with objects. Characters often go flying out the door or across rooms after being struck by another character. One brief scene of Snoopy flying his dog house through explosions.

Sexy stuff

Lucy adores Schroeder and the feeling is not reciprocated. Schroeder insults Lucy and she gets frustrated with him.

Language

Characters call each other "stupid" and "blockhead" when upset.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that the kids are wise beyond their years and sorta grumpy. They argue frequently, often ending disagreements with a bonk to the head. At the end, the kids perform a religious-themed recitation. Other than this, nothing terribly controversial happens.

Parents say

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Kids say

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What's the story?

Lucy and Linus's little brother Rerun desperately wants a dog for Christmas. His mother doesn't think he's responsible enough to have a dog. In the meantime, Rerun spends as much time as possible with Snoopy, a sometimes reluctant play-partner. In classic Peanuts tradition, Lucy courts the Beethoven-obsessed Schroeder, and Snoopy flies his dog house around in the sky. When Snoopy's brother Spike visits, Rerun hopes he will become his very own dog, but the wish proves elusive.

Is it any good?

QUALITY
 

Unlike the classic A Charlie Brown Christmas, this holiday film doesn't have a strong message. Without it, the movie seems mostly a collection of Peanuts tropes without anything special to offer. For series devotees, seeing the loveable and mischievous Snoopy fly his dog house around, or the crabby Lucy dress up like a nurse to plump up Snoopy's brother Spike, might be enough to stay entertained. For others, there are better introductions to the slightly depressed little boy named Charlie Brown.

Families can talk about...

  • Families can talk about hitting. Why do the characters in this movie hit each other? Is it OK to hit people in real life? What's the difference between the hitting in this movie and hitting in real life?

  • Talk about pets. What are some of the responsibilities of owning a pet? What are some of the fun things about having a pet?

  • Talk about Lucy and Schroeder. Why does Lucy like Schroeder even though he's mean to her? What would you do if you were in Lucy's situation?

Movie details

DVD release date:October 26, 2004
Cast:Adam Taylor Gordon, Ashley Rose, Jimmy Bennett
Director:Bill Melendez
Studio:Warner Home Video
Genre:Family and Kids
Run time:41 minutes
MPAA rating:NR

This review of I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown was written by

Sierra Filucci

About our rating system

  • ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
  • PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
  • OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
  • NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids of any age.

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Quality

Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Learning ratings

  • Best: Really engaging, great learning approach.
  • Very Good: Engaging, good learning approach.
  • Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
  • Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
  • Not for Learning: Not recommended for learning.
  • Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

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Teen, 13 years old Written byThreeDaysGracesGirl November 1, 2010
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Amazing.

Amazing.
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Kid, 7 years old April 17, 2010
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wow

cool
What other families should know
Too much swearing
Great messages
Great role models
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Adult Written byCorrine1028 March 2, 2011
AGE
8
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For All Ages!

I love it!
What other families should know
Great messages
Great role models
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