Review: Scoob!

PLOT: When the Scooby Gang find themselves facing off against Dick Dastardly, it may be the biggest ghostly adventure yet. And this time, it may just be the real thing. Scooby Doo, where are you!?!

REVIEW: Like many of you, one of my favorite animated series’ happened to be the many adventures of Scooby Doo. That lovable pup and his pal Shaggy always delighted my young, horror loving mind. In fact, it was such a huge part of my childhood that once I witnessed the trailer for SCOOB! – the updated feature from Warner Brothers – it was nearly instant disappointment. The two minute or so preview just felt like a wasted opportunity, one that is heavily sanitized for younger viewers without the goofy charm that came with many of the characters incarnations. Yet something happened while watching the new film, and it was certainly unexpected. Within minutes of young Scooby and Shaggy meeting, there was a little hope that this could be far better than expected. Thankfully, it was.

SCOOB! tells the story of the Scooby Gang from their very first meeting. Little Shaggy is just a sweet kid desperate for a friend. And on one fateful day, he meets a lovable puppy. The two instantly connect, and even find a few new friends when Fred, Daphne and Velma share a haunted house adventure. After they’ve grown up, Scooby (Frank Welker), Shaggy (Will Forte), Fred (Zac Efron), Daphne (Amanda Seyfried) and Velma (Gina Rodriguez) are offered to make their ghost hunting team legit with a sponsor from celebrity host Simon Cowell. It’s a shame that Simon has no interest in keeping Shaggy and Scoob. Heartbroken, the two “weak links”  end up having a really bad day after being dissed by Cowell. Hoping to have a bit of entertainment and forget about the experience, they go out to their favorite bowling alley for a game. Instead of fun however, they find themselves under attack by the robotic minions of Dick Dastardly (Jason Issacs). It seems that the devilishly dangerous Dick has secret plans for Scooby. Will the team find away to stay together and save Shaggy’s best friend from certain doom? Guaranteed a “ruh roh” or twelve will be heard.

Oftentimes, creating an origin story for a familiar tale can be especially frustrating. And for a moment during the opening of SCOOB! – with the song “California Love” by 2pac feat Dr.Dre and the Venice Beach setting – it appeared that this would be a far too hip version that tries too hard to be modern. Yet once Scooby and young Shaggy (Iain Armitage) meet, it’s shockingly endearing and sweet. When they find themselves hanging out with young Daphne (Mckenna Grace), young Fred (Pierce Gagnon) and young Velma (Ariana Greenblatt) – on Halloween no less – it’s a bit on the side of cute overload, but that doesn’t last long. Once we are introduced to the gang as teenagers, it’s a pleasant reminder of how enjoyable these ghost hunters can be. This happens after an enjoyable recreation of the opening credits to the classic series Scooby Doo, Where Are You!. After that, the new feature becomes a charming new adventure, one that wears its celebration of friendship happily on its sleeve.

As far as the plot is concerned, screenwriters Matt Lieberman and Adam Sztykiel do a good job of wrangling together a number of familiar characters – even when it’s a bit heavy on the nostalgia factor. From Captain Caveman (Tracy Morgan) to Dee Dee Sykes (Kiersey Clemons) to the "Blue Falcon" (Mark Wahlberg), you’ll find yourself on a trip down memory lane. At times the story feels incredibly convoluted, yet it generally works. Directed by Tony Cervone, there’s a whole lot of love for these characters. Of course it's a shame that this wasn't one more chance for Casey Kasem for a return to play Shaggy – but clearly that wasn't an option… RIP Mr. Kasem – but they do right with the character and create a really sweet bond between the boy and his dog. And frankly, Will Forte is a solid replacement for the hippy teenager that starts nearly every sentence with the word “Like.”

With the focus on Dick Dastardly as the film’s antagonist, Jason Issacs fits the bill nicely. In fact, all the characters here work in context to this fine animated feature. Sure it feels a bit crowded, but ultimately the idea that friendship is important is a universal one. As big as the world becomes, the stories focus on just how important Shaggy and Scooby are to each other is a nice touch. If you happen to be a dog owner, that bond will likely bring you a bit of joy and perhaps a need to watch this flick with dog in lap and Scooby Snacks ready for treats. Even with the modern humor, there is a sweetness to this tale that will delight viewers. Sure much of this will largely appeal to younger audiences, however, there is enough to put a smile on parents and adults faces.

As someone who finds the overabundance of meta-references and modern animation to classic tales a bit tiring in certain films, SCOOB! gets it right more often than not. The voice actors are all well cast, and most of the familiar characters don’t stray too far from what they were originally. Well, perhaps Fred is a bit dopier, but Efron handles the humor well and you know you just can’t wait for that ascot to make an appearance. The many references to the original series, and the entertaining bits of dialogue mixed with a sweet natured story of Shaggy and his best pal make this a terrific choice for the entire family. While it may not be a classic, it’s a solid start to once again bringing Scooby back for a brand new audience of young ones. Scooby is back and he certainly makes an enjoyable return. Perhaps the cuteness may be a deterrent for some, but if you’re already a fan of these meddling kids, you’ll likely be ready to get spooky with the Scooby Gang once again.