"Scoob!" Movie Review

I admit, I was skeptical about this film when the trailer first dropped. It seemed like it was departing from the established background that made Scooby-Doo so cherished to begin with. But as we all know, trailers can be deceptive. The film itself is so much deeper and full of heart than I ever expected it to be. Now, I think this film may just be my second favorite Scooby-Doo film ever.

Scoob starts with a flashback showing how Scooby met Shaggy when they were young. We also see how the Mystery Inc gang formed. Once the movie gets going, Scooby and Shaggy find themselves face to face with their personal (super)hero Blue Falcon. Blue Falcon needs their help stopping Dick Dastardly from collecting three ancient supernatural skulls which, when combined, can open the gates to the Underworld. The world's fate is in the hands (and paws) of Mystery Inc.

I was surprised how great this film was. There were so many homages and so much respect for the original material throughout the film. Fans of the Where Are You series will be delighted to see the opening theme remade with 3D tech just for the film. The humor and heart that made the original show so much fun was clearly present which made Scoob all the better.

The story was well thought out and surprisingly deep and emotional, especially toward the end. The film teaches the power of friendship and holding on to the people that matter to you, a subject kids desperately need right now.

The only negative comment I have is that there's a little adult humor sprinkled throughout the film that is really unnecessary. For instance, as seen in the trailer, the gang finds a hair left behind at a crime scene. Velma comments that the hair contains traces of mustache oil and 12 year old scotch to which Daphne replies "Is the bad guy my dad?" That line alone might bring up issues with some kids out there. This along with a couple other references for adults that kids probably won't understand make me wonder why these jokes were put into the film. It's perfectly fine the way it is. Anyone that grew up with Scooby-Doo will love Scoob regardless of their age. There's no need to try to make adult jokes when adults are already having fun as it is.

In conclusion, Scoob is a worthy addition to the long line of TV series and movies that have entertained kids and adults for generations. It's a must-see for the whole family. I give the film a 3.5 out of 4.