Due to the ongoing Coronavirus, Warner Bros. (WB for short) cancelled the release date of Scoob” and moved it to digital on demand allowing its intended release date intact. Scoob is already out right now. So far, it received mixed reactions from critics. Scoob is intended to be the first installment of a proposed cinematic universe based on Hanna-Barbera cartoons such as “The Flintstones,” “The Jetsons,” “Yogi Bear,” “Jonny Quest” among many others. Their equivalent of superheroes/supervillains from the “DC Extended Universe.” (DCEU for short)
This review doesn’t contain no SPOILERS. So I’ll give y’all a head start. Feel free to read my non-spoiler article. Is it a hit or a miss? Let’s find out shall we?
Solved & Unsolved Elements
Solved: Voice Acting Veteran Frank Welker reprises his role as Scooby-Doo. He also voiced Fred in the original show.
Will Forte, Mark Whalberg, Ken Jeong, Kiersey Clemons, Zac Efron, Gina Rodriguez, Amanda Seyfried, Tracy Morgan & Jason Isaacs all did a fantastic job for their respective voiceover performances.
Fun Fact: This is Mark Whalberg’s first ever animated movie. He’s finally making a movie for his kids besides the lackluster “Transformers” sequels “Age Of Extinction” & “The Last Knight.”
Computer Animation is so pretty darn good. It captivates the cartoon paying respect to it’s actions and slapstick comedy.
Speaking of Comedy. Humor had some legitimate jokes that made me laugh containing slapstick, pop culture references and sneaky jokes kids will definitely not get. Especially Scooby trying to pronounce Dick Dastardly’s first name. That joke deserves Bonus Points for nearly spitting on my favorite drink Dr. Pepper.
If you’re a parent or a grown up, let’s spice things up a bit, take a sip of Dr. Pepper or water every time somebody says the word dick. No alcohol allowed, because I do not encourage alcohol poisoning.
Unlike past countless interpretations, Scoob’s storyline is very different. It doesn’t recycle the same cliches like a masked perpetrator, setting up traps to capture the masked criminal, using techniques to find the perp etc. Scoob’s direction is venturing into the superhero genre. Felt like a breath of fresh air.
Like many iterations, the famous theme song from the cartoon is recreated.
Chemistry between Scooby & Shaggy served as the main highlight of the movie alongside their friendship with Fred, Velma & Daphne. They also befriended Dee Dee, (not from Dexter’s Laboratory) Blue Falcon & Dynomutt.
For those who are scratching their heads on why Blue Falcon isn’t like his usual self. The film lampshades his behavior acting like an overgrown tween.
Besides Blue Falcon, Dynomutt & Dick Dastardly, another familiar character factors in.
This movie focuses on Scooby, Shaggy and their friends’ origin going back to how they founded Mystery Inc in the first place.
The film did a jab at Netflix. Which means WB is giving us a wink for HBO MAX launching this year on May 27th. I on the other hand pre-ordered it worth a discount.
There’s no Post-Credits Scene. Which means you’re allowed to move on to another activity.
A famous judge makes a small appearance. I’ll give you a hint, he’s British and mean.
Unsolved: A “we are through” cliche is used. I hate this overused trope in almost every buddy/romantic comedy film, you know two people will put their differences aside and move on.
Without giving too much away, how did a henchman managed to survive for years of isolation without food or water? In real life, you’ll die without consuming anything for your stomach.
The Final Verdict: B, FOR BRILLIANT!
Scoob is a surprisingly decent animated film. I can’t believe WB finally made a legit movie based on a Hanna-Barbera cartoon if you don’t count the 2002 live action Scooby-Doo and it’s sequel “Monsters Unleashed.” I hear by declare Scoob as a superb non-direct-to-video animated movie based on the beloved cartoon. If you’re a fan of the cartoon or grew up watching it, I highly recommend it for you, your friends and family members. I can’t wait for WB to develop more movies based on Hanna-Barbera characters. I really want a Scrappy-Doo (not kidding fellas) movie. He’s my all time favorite classic cartoon character. Scrappy deserves more love, not hate.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 