Though this film has little to do with the traditional Scooby-Doo! formula (the monsters are real and there is no real mystery as to who the bad guy is), it provides everything you could want in a Scooby-Doo! movie. The land of the Halloween spirits is delightfully atmospheric and just tons of fun to visit. The characters there are all imaginative and fun. I especially enjoyed the wise cracking Jack O' Lantern (delightfully voiced by Jay Leno) The jokes are often really good and this movie got quite a few laughs out of me. There are some real scares that are frightening enough to make the movie more creepy than your average Scooby-Doo! adventure, but never too much so to take away from the lighthearted feel. There are some very exciting action scenes and the chase through the pumpkin patch is a perfect mixture of scares, action and humor. The bad guy is one of the strongest post Scooby-Doo! Where Are You? villains in the franchise. The supporting voice cast is one of the best for Scooby-Doo! movies. Tim Currey is as always incredible as a threatening character and the presence of Lauren Becall is always welcome. Plus the Halloween theme makes it perfect for this time of year.
This may be my second favorite Scooby-Doo! movie (Zombie Island being my first). It is a must watch for Scooby fans and even a good Halloween treat for those who aren't.
Note: This was the last Scooby-Doo! movie directed by Joe Sichta (Scooby-Doo and the Loch Ness Monster (2004), Scooby-Doo in Where's My Mummy? (2005), Chill Out, Scooby-Doo! (2007), plus some episodes of What's New, Scooby-Doo? (2002-2006)). This is probably his finest work with the cowardly canine. After this he would be a writer for what was one of the weakest Scooby movies, Scooby-Doo and the Samurai Sword (2009).
-Michael J. Ruhland
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