Zoiks, we're
up against Stuart Little 2
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Our TV animated
canine friend makes it to the big screen in computer generated form.
Nigel Bell
All bets are
off. If you thought the closing line of this film would have been
"and I'd have gotten away with it if it wasn't for you pesky
kids" think again.
The phrase generations
have grown to know and love is delivered within the first five minutes
of the film.
The Plot
The intrepid investigators of Mystery Inc - Fred, Daphne, Velma,
Shaggy and Scooby - successfully solve another crime but then fall
out when Fred takes all the credit for the master plan which led
to the villains capture.
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| "Velma,
if we meet any vampires just leave them to me." |
It's two years
before the gang is brought back together by Mondavarious (Atkinson)
the owner of Spooky Island.
He's concerned
that happy-go-lucky kids leave his holiday island in zombie form.
It's too much
for the guys and gals who reform to solve the ultimate mystery.
The Verdict
For 30 and 40-somethings who grew up with the original Scooby,
this movie version could have been a disaster.
But if they're
dragged to the cinema by their kids they'll be pleasantly surprised.
Right for the
start all efforts are made to replicate the animated series.
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| "I'll
say one thing for Scooby-Doo, he smells a lot better than Baldrick." |
The portrayal
of the gang is spot on, especially Lillard as Shaggy and Cardellini
as brain-box Velma.
The clothes
are identical and there are plenty of "zoiks" and "jinkies",
Scooby Snacks and Velma uttering "where are my glasses."
At a time when
the laws surrounding the use of cannabis are being relaxed, adults
will have fun at the number of drug references made during the film.
Don't worry,
they'll go over kid's heads....man.
And for everyone
who hated the introduction of Scrappy Doo, well, he appears but
not for long.
If one thing
let's the film down it's Scooby. Recreated in CGI form he doesn't
quite blend in with the live action.
Having said
that, the children I saw this with didn't seem to mind.
There's plenty
for them to laugh at, not least a two minute fart and belching contest
between Shaggy and Scooby.
And the scene
where everybody started talking with the wrong voice had the audience
in fits of laughter.
Hardly a work
of art but it just about does the job.
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