Scooby Doo 2

Scooby Doo
Cast: Freddie Prinze, Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar
Studio: WB
Rating: 6/10

Corporate Line: In Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, Scooby and the gang confront an anonymous masked villain who is plotting to take over the city of Coolsville by wreaking mayhem with a monster machine that creates Mystery Inc.’s classic foes like The Pterodactyl Ghost, The Black Knight Ghost and The 10,000 Volt Ghost. Meanwhile, the gang’s detecting abilities are scrutinized by relentless reporter Heather Jasper-Howe (Alicia Silverstone), aided by museum curator Patrick Wisely (Seth Green) and thwarted by nasty Jeremiah Wickles (Peter Boyle).

The Good: There are a few laughs, especially at Shaggy and Scooby—though I’m certain my son enjoyed it much more. Linda Cardellini (Velma) gives a great performanceperforms—even funnier when she tries to get sexy for a guy she digs. Mathew Lillard (Shaggy) convinced me he is Shaggy incarnate if only they gave him something better to do other than act like a dumb pothead with dreadful one-liners.

The Bad: Isn’t this a kiddie movie? Then why is Shaggy sucking on a can of cool whip to get a buzz? This isn’t a drugged out teen movie like Thirteen—yet Shaggy does a whip-it? What the hell is the deal with that? And what about Shaggy getting out of the limo in the beginning and sniffing around and then spots his pothead fans. If Hollywood is trying to outlaw cigarette smoking in films what can be said about portraying potheads as cool in a film geared towards kids and teens? I know it makes me sound like some grump old man—but I assure I am not. It’s nothing different than beer and whiskey ads gearing their advertising towards kids.

Monsters Unleashed is so short on ideas that it tries to overwhelm us with a bunch of old monsters from the cartoon and a handful of plot twists. It doesn’t work as the rest of the story is completely neglected as it relies on kooky gags like farting in someone’s face or falling down. If you want funny sight gags watch the Three Stooges.

Remember back in the days when Scooby and the gang traveled the country and solved crimes? What happened? It’s annoying beyond words how Monsters Inc. have become superstars. When the hell did that happen and why in the world is it necessary? Couldn’t they just make movies of the original where they merely solve cases for the love of it—actually touched on in the film? What was wrong with that?

DVD FEATURES: Director Raja Gosnell opens the first seven scenes with commentary—this is easily one of the worst commentary you’ll ever hear. “True Ghoul Hollywood Story” is a short segment based on E!’s True Hollywood Story about the villains and how they went bad. “The Triple Threat Featurette” looks behind the scenes at the stunts, sets, and special effects. Finally, there is a game for kids and some music videos.

Frankly: Hopefully this is the last Scooby Doo live action film. There is nothing here that picks up where the original left off if anything it took a major step backwards. This Scooby Doo is a Scooby don’t.

+ Charlie Craine


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