Scooby and Shaggy win on the big screen

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Jun 21, 2002

Every die-hard Mystery, Inc. fan over the age of 12 has heard the urban legends about Scooby, Shaggy and their constant munchies; and we all hate Scrappy Doo as an evil anomaly in the history of the cartoon series. So we eagerly awaited the live-action/CGI version of the classic 60s television program and wondered how, or if, it would deal with those legends and more.

That's why I decided to stretch the definition of animated films once again to include Scooby's (and, briefly, Scrappy's) computer-animated characters. That and the encounter I had before the movie with another mother and her toddler daughter.

"My husband and son are watching the Scooby movie," the mother said as the child banged the controls on a racing car game in the theater's lobby, "but she couldn't sit through to the end." Understood - keep that in mind, readers. What she said next really shocked me, though.

"Actually, I couldn't wait to get out myself. It's a bad movie."

My heart plunged. I remembered the 11/2 stars the newspaper's reviewer had given the movie that morning and was suddenly grateful I had decided to come to a matinee. But, once the movie got started on our screen, I realized there was one disclaimer the movie ads should have added: Only children and true Scooby fans wanted.

Throughout the film, regularly and energetically, the audience members laughed and reacted. Yes, the movie dealt briefly with the munchy-rumors, having Shaggy comment on something the older crowd assumed, erroneously, was related to the legend, and naming his love interest Mary Jane. Honestly, though, kids will never realize they actually missed an inside joke.

As the movie starts, the Mystery, Inc., gang breaks up - Velma is tired of Freddie's constant credit-hogging, Daphne is tired of always being the victim, and, I guess, Freddie is tired of not being the center of attention. The three go their separate ways, leaving Scooby and his best buddy Shaggy behind. Shaggy promises to Scooby they will never split up because best friends never leave.

Two years later, the gang is reunited when the owner of Spooky Island, an amusement park and teen destination, sends them each individual tickets with a request to help solve a mystery. Once at the airport they realize he didn't want them individually but as the Mystery, Inc., gang.

Because this is a mystery, complete with red herrings and surprise endings, I will not reveal anything else, except to say I would not take a young, impressionable child. There is a scene reminiscent of the Lake of Souls in Disney's Hercules, but a bit darker and a little more spooky. I was worried my seven-year-old, who has recently discovered his sense of fear, would be cowering in tears, but it wasn't that scary a scene. I was also concerned with the monsters, reminiscent of the alien creatures in "Independence Day", and the way they were destroyed. In both cases, you know your kid best; but I would be cautious.

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The copyright of the article Scooby and Shaggy win on the big screen in Animated Films is owned by Mariolga Fernandez Locklin. Permission to republish Scooby and Shaggy win on the big screen in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.