WHAT’S IT ABOUT
Newcomer Franklin has trouble fitting in with the Peanuts gang; then, he learns about a Soap Box Derby race, and he’s sure that winning the race will also mean winning over new friends.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
Charles Schulz made a major move by introducing a Black
character named Franklin into the “Peanuts” universe in 1968. During
the strip’s entire run, Franklin often remained in the background, with his
unique viewpoint as the only child of color not fully explored. Now,
“Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin” finally sheds light on this
long-neglected character’s story. The animated special swiftly immerses viewers
in Franklin Armstrong’s world (brought to life by Caleb Bellavance). Though
centered around a neighborhood soap-box derby, the narrative delves deeper,
examining Franklin’s experience as a newcomer navigating a predominantly white
community. The first observation says a lot: “One
thing was for sure – there was a lack of variety in this place.” Franklin, being a
military
child, learned well to move around frequently. In
this respect, his always packed
suitcase shows not only readiness but also fear of
settling down. Such a detail can clearly represent one of
the main ideas: the strength needed to keep up with building
your life in new places. The
story shows the small problems caused by Lucy’s
unintentional actions, giving us a look at what
life could have been like for a Black child in the suburbs
during the 1960s. While the soap-box derby moves the story along,
the special’s true emotion is felt the
most in calm moments of sharing culture. When Franklin
and Charlie Brown collaborate on their derby entry, a scene in the Armstrong
garage becomes a gateway to cultural dialogue. As Franklin shares his vinyl
collection, introducing Charlie to the sounds of James Brown and John Coltrane,
Black cultural touchstones naturally weave into the Peanuts tapestry. Even
the famous adult “wah-wah” speech gets a special change. Franklin’s parents sound jazzier and deeper, yet still within the usual Peanuts style to maintain their unique identity. Such small details show how
special Franklin is without taking away
from his main role as just another
kid trying to fit in. Through their developing friendship,
Franklin enriches Charlie’s world with introductions to jazz legends and Negro
League baseball history. The special navigates these moments with ease,
avoiding harsh conflict and centering on real character growth.
Lucy and the others show innocence instead of ill
intent, their mistakes coming from ignorance rather
than bias. In giving Franklin the same depth
and detail that other Peanuts characters have long had, the
special pulls off something remarkable. It shows how
the franchise continues to grow while still honoring
Schulz’s original concept. The result is a warm and well-crafted
story celebrating diversity through shared experiences. In
today’s world, which seems to grow more fractious, “Welcome
Home, Franklin” reminds us of the strength of
connection. Without telling us what to think, it shows how
friendship goes deeper than surface differences and
how sharing our unique views makes everybody’s life better.
The special honors Schulz’s legacy of gentle social messages combined with childhood
charm. After six decades of existing primarily on the periphery, Franklin steps
into the spotlight not as a token character but as a fully realized individual
with his own history, interests, and challenges. His story emerges as both
timely and timeless, speaking to contemporary audiences while remaining true to
the endearing spirit that has made Peanuts resonate across generations. Through
Franklin’s journey, we’re reminded that finding one’s place often means helping
others expand their worldview, one small interaction at a time.
OUR RATING – A PROGRESSIVE 8