This film is not perfect but it is tons of fun and isn't that just what you want from a Scooby-Doo! movie.
There is a lot to enjoy about this movie. The opening scenes with Shaggy and Scooby meeting and becoming friends are especially good. This film really lets you feel the bond between the two of them and this bond remains for the whole movie. I am not saying you will cry at a Scooby-Doo! movie (you probably won't), but there are moments that are actually pretty touching. While there are quite a few characters here, the focus is always on the relationship between Scooby and Shaggy and every moment of this relationship is completely believable. Also on the surprisingly effective emotion side of this movie, there are some fully relatable moments here that make the characters all the more real. We have all felt left out and like we are not important, or that there is a standard we should be living up to that we can not reach and that is conveyed very well here. However any good Scooby-Doo! movie needs to be fun and this one definitely is. Rather than your typical Scooby-Doo mystery, this is a full blown adventure story and a pretty good one. There is a feeling of bigness about this film that is perfectly captured in a fun lighthearted way. While you may know where the story is going at times, you still have a lot of fun getting there. While not every joke works, there are still some very funny moments here and I will admit I laughed out loud a few times.
If you are a Hanna-Barbera like I am, then Scoob! will be a treat. There are so many little things hidden throughout this movie, that I am going to have to watch this again soon because I am sure I didn't catch all of them. From a bowling alley named Takamoto Bowl to an appearance by Peebles Pet Shop and an Impossibles poster in Shaggy's room the film is a sheer delight for Hanna-Barbera fans. There are also appearances by many Hanna-Barbera characters from the 1960's and 70's both as many characters and as blink and you miss them cameos. It is said this movie is set to launch a Hanna-Barbera cinematic universe and I hope it does.
Unfortunately this film certainly has its faults. From inappropriate pop songs on the soundtrack to too many references to current technological fads this movie tries too hard to be hip and relevant as if Scooby-Doo! could ever not be cool. Similarly I don't like how they made Fred into a real idiot at times. Sure there have been previous movies where Fred was dumbed down but never to this extant. This wouldn't be as much of a problem if the jokes revolving around Fred's dumbness weren't the weakest jokes in the film. The Simon Cowell cameo also feels extremely forced.
Despite any faults though this is definitly a fun movie and that is just what a Scooby-Doo! movie should be.
-Michael J. Ruhland
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