If there’s one thing Hanna-Barbera cartoons have always been good at, it’s a mash-up. From The Huckleberry Hound Show to Wacky Races, Laff-A-Lympics and even Yogi’s Space Race, the studios properties have never been happy sticking to their own lanes.
Which seems to be the philosophy sitting behind SCOOB!, the third theatrical outing (and the umpteenth animated film) featuring the characters introduced in TV’s Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! back in 1969. Despite a history of not caring about continuity, this irreverent approach may not sit well with all fans.
Following the trend of reboots, veteran animator Tony Cervone serves up something of a loose origin story. In this version, the lonely young Shaggy adopts a street dog he names Scooby Dooby-Doo (voiced by Frank Welker). They soon befriend a group of weirdos and they start to solve mysteries.
The adult Shaggy (Will Forte), Fred (Zac Efron), Daphne (Amanda Seyfried), and Velma (Gina Rodriguez) ask Simon Cowell for funding to start their mystery-solving business. Yet thanks to the machinations of Dick Dastardly (Jason Isaacs), Shaggy and Scoob find themselves on an adventure with Dynomutt the Dog Wonder (Ken Jeong) and his inept partner Brian Crown (Mark Wahlberg), the son of the original Blue Falcon.
For a film that opens with the music of Tupac and Dr. Dre, contains a reference to Gérard Depardieu and sees Shaggy and Brian having a conversation about impostor syndrome, you have to wonder who the intended audience is. Hell, there’s an action sequence set to Outkast’s ‘B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad)!’ Of course, this same approach sees Fred referred to as a “poor man’s Hemsworth” to which he replies “Chris or Liam?”
All of which serves to remind us that SCOOB! is determined not to be a traditional Scooby Doo film. By casting Dastardly as the villain, they open the door to countless Easter eggs and references, from the obvious appearance of Captain Caveman (voiced by Tracey Morgan) to Takamoto Bowl, an establishment named for the legendary animator Iwao Takamoto, the original designer of Scooby-Doo.
Reactions will undoubtedly be mixed for a film that bares little resemblance to the original formula. Sure, there’s an abandoned amusement park, haunted mansions, multiple unmaskings and darn kids not letting villains get away with things, but Fred, Velma and Daphne are frequently forgotten in the mix. There are also times when the tongue is planted so firmly in cheek that it forgets what the meal was supposed to be.
Still, it’s a slickly animated film, starting with televisual minimalism and building up to the bigger budget cinematic set-pieces. From clownishly oversized sandwiches, to engaging character designs and the genuinely impressive giant ghost Cerberus in the finale, it’s a slight shame we didn’t get to see this on the big screen. The familiar sound effects from the original cartoon also add some authenticity.
While the film ultimately becomes an appetiser for future adventures, even the odd references, occasionally adult humour and chaotic plotting don’t detract from the basic fun to be had in Scooby and Shaggy’s heartfelt relationship. To quote the Gang themselves, “They are surprisingly effective goofballs.”
2020 | US | DIRECTOR: Tony Cervone | WRITERS: Adam Sztykiel, Jack Donaldson, Derek Elliott, Matt Lieberman | CAST: Will Forte, Mark Wahlberg, Jason Isaacs, Gina Rodriguez, Zac Efron, Amanda Seyfried, Kiersey Clemons, Ken Jeong, Tracy Morgan, Frank Welker | DISTRIBUTOR: Warner. Bros| RUNNING TIME: 94 minutes | RELEASE DATE: 15 May 2020 (Digital)
