The Mystery Inc. gang splits up then reunites two years later after
being summoned to a mysterious island by a mysterious benefactor. COMEDY/FAMILY/FANTASY
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Scooby-Doo (2002)Directed by Raja Gosnell
Written by James Gunn Starring Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard, Linda Cardellini, Neil Fanning, Rowan Atkinson, Isla Fisher, Scott Innes Based on the cartoon series by Hanna-Barbera |
Scooby-Doo is another case of childhood nostalgia getting the better of me. Granted, this film absolutely does not hold up like it did when I was a kid. The super-dated early 2000's lingo and various references (including a cameo from Sugar Ray) are just sad by today's standards. Still, I will give credit where credit is due. The ensemble that rounds out the Mystery Inc. gang was perfectly cast and they worked well together. However, they don't mesh with the goofy fart jokes and nonsensical plot that causes this live-action cartoon to implode.
It's hard to believe this was written by the same guy who gave us Guardians of the Galaxy 12 years later, as the story is quite ludicrous. I understand that it's supposed to be the cartoon's ridiculousness kicked into overdrive, but some things just don't translate well into live-action. Scooby-Doo is definitely one of those things. I appreciate the attempts by the four leads, as well as the digital recreation of Scooby. Frankly, if the story had been better, this could have been a memorable family comedy instead of the beginning of the end for live-action cartoons. I only watched this film again because it was part of my collection when I was a kid. As a grown man, this film has fallen from my good graces and deserves a spot in the back of the shelf. Like all films, it's subjective. Scooby-Doo is probably a great film to watch with your kids, but when you're by yourself, it's a travesty. Still, it's not as bad as the sequel, am I right? |