The latest animated movie of 2020 produced by Warner Bros, another reboot of an iconic franchise, another VOD premium release but this time it is PG, Since it’s an announcement I was worried like any other nostalgic fan would be, but since the trailer release I was feeling a bit optimistic and hyped up for a Scooby-Doo origin tale.
Directed by Tony Cervone
Plot
A lonely boy befriends a dog and names him Scooby-Dooby Doo, they team up with other children and Since then they have been solving mysteries across the globe. This group of Shaggy(voiced by Will Forte), Fred (voiced by Zac Efron), Velma(voiced by Gina Rodriguez)and Daphne(voiced by Amanda Seyfried) accompanied by Shaggy’s pet dog, Scooby-Doo decide to open an agency Monster Inc together and become professionals when they are on verge of signing a deal with the investor, their personal insecurities surfaces which they must overcome to solve their biggest mystery yet.
An ambitious reboot of Scooby Doo franchise which is intended to be the first installment in a Hanna-Barbera shared cinematic universe. It seems that studio is more focused on this part, franchise building and they have failed to capture the spirit of Scooby Dooby franchise. Plot is dumb and screenplay feels like rushed contrary to a mysterious premise of a Scooby Dooby movie with mysterious villains and secrets. It also suffers from out of context Pop culture references and forced jokes like any other contemparary A list animated movie but this movie try to take it into another level with references to Tinder, Netflix and many more things and cameos. The jokes are funny but mostly they annoy us and it seems there is no escape.
Talking about the characters, this new character design seems acceptable but the voice acting is mostly underwhelming. There is character development for Scooby and Shaggy, the theme of friendship is very endearing. While the portrayal of other members of Gang doesn’t stand out they seem like generic characters with no character development. I don’t know why in a Scooby dooby movie, more screentime has given to Falcon Fury, What could have been a mystery-solving movie for kids, is tore down into a Superhero movie. Ironically he may be called surprisingly the best character, a rookie who is trying to fit in his dad’s shoes. The biggest letdown here is the villain, Dick Dastardly he with his robot minion army and occasional comedic relief doesn’t offer anything else.
The animation is appealing and cool like any other A list of animated movies, it’s also the best part of the movie. The cyberpunk scenes and breathtaking visuals seem impressive but they can’t always substitute for all other flaws.
Conclusion
It does has some nostalgic moments like unmasking, green ghosts, Scooby and Shaggy moments but they do feel like few moments of fan service sprinkled on the top of a hot mess, which is somehow claimed to be a Scooby-Doo sequel.
You can still enjoy it, it has it’s own moments of humour and emotions but it’s just an average movie nowhere near the original franchise.
If you are in the mood of watching something average and new in quarantine with your family then you may watch it.
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