By: debbie lynn elias
Quite honestly, I didn’t hold out much hope for the live action translation of one of everyone’s all-time favorite fraidy cat characters, Scooby Doo, but I must happily admit, was I surprised. Starring Freddie Prinze, Jr. as the handsome, arrogant (does my hair look okay?) and somewhat dim bulb, Fred, Sarah Michelle Gellar as the lovely in lavender Daphne, Linda Cardellini as the bookish genius Velma and Matthew Lillard as Scooby’s faithful best friend, Shaggy, “Scooby Doo,” is a dream come true for Scooby fans everywhere, thanks in large part to costume designer Leesa Evans.
Opening with a mystery already in progress, we see the demise of Mystery, Inc. due to egos and aging, only to jump forward two years with our heroes being brought together again under some rather “mysterious circumstances” by the owner of this year’s spring break hot spot, Spooky Island. Fred is still arrogant, Daphne still the beautiful damsel in distress, Velma a NASA scientist and Shaggy and Scooby, well, some things never change. On the surface, Spooky Island, appears just that – a spooky island designed as a college-age amusement park. But as Scooby fans all know, things are not what they seem and evil lurks just below the surface. On discovering that our loud-mouthed, fun-loving revelers are turning into super-human zombies, Mystery, Inc. sets out to do what it does best – solve the mystery.
Special effects, monsters, zombies, goofiness and Scooby snacks abound as the plot unfolds and the mystery is solved. But getting there is all the fun! Stealing the show is Lillard who not only bears perfect physical resemblance to Shaggy, but captures the cartoonish mannerisms and mimics the original Casey-Kasem voiced character with such perfection you can’t help but be impressed. Perfect casting choice with Sarah Michelle Gellar as Daphne. Not only is she the perfect visualization of the cartoon, but as die hard fans of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” know, Buffy and her own gang of demon fighters have for years called themselves the Scooby Gang based on, you guessed it, their ultimate cartoon fave.
Kudos for visual effects go to Peter Crosman and his crew who go to new lengths to keep the traditional Scooby alive and kicking while bringing him into the 21st Century. Director Raja Gosnell, known for “Home Alone 3“ and “Never Been Kissed” does an admirable job at poking fun at the hokiness of it all but with a loving sense of reverence.
So, for one of the best rides this summer, grab your Scooby Snacks and sit back and watch 87 minutes of some of the best fun you’ve had since being glued to the television Saturday mornings as a kid. Jinkies!!!! It’s Scooby-Dooby Doo!!!
