Mystery and creepiness take a back seat to comedy and adventure in the tenth direct to video Scooby-Doo! movie.
In many ways this movie is a feature length version of an episode of the What's New Scooby-Doo! TV show. Not only does the film have the same character designs, but also the same sense of humor, the same type of music and like the show the more creepy and atmospheric elements are played down for comedy's sake. This is not to say the mystery is unimportant compared to the comedy though. Even the most comedic scenes play a part in the main mystery. The mystery itself is not too hard to solve due to there not being too many suspects, but I can not deny that it is clever and well thought out. Yet at the same time, there is no doubt that this is a more lighthearted and low key mystery than was present in Zombie Island or Big Top Scooby-Doo!. However this movie was meant to be little more than some lighthearted entertainment for Scooby fans and it provides very well on that front. While the humor isn't always laugh out loud funny, I can't really think of any jokes that fell flat and most of them did put a smile on my face. The gang is at their most likable and once again watching them feels like spending time with old friends. Fred's dad (a different one from the later Mystery Incorporated version) is a delightful addition to the proceedings and being voiced by the one and only Tim Conway, of The Carol Burnett Show fame, certainly doesn't hurt. There are also a lot of little surprises for those who know their Scooby-Doo! from cameo's of characters from What's New Scooby-Doo! to some of the mysteries on the mystery cruise including classic Scooby-Doo! Where Are You? villains like The Ghost of Captain Cutler, Ghost Clown and The Werewolf, to an instrumental use of The New Scooby-Doo! Movies theme song.
On the downside the villains are rather forgettable. The franchise has done ghost pirates before and more memorably. This movie also lacks the atmosphere seen in the best Scooby adventures.
If you except a Scooby movie to offer more than an average TV episode you might be disappointed here, but this film is still delightful and will certainly entertain any Scooby fan.
No comments:
Post a Comment