Scooby-Doo

Directed by Raja Gosnell

Starring Freddie Prinze, Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard, Linda Cardellini and Rowan Atkinson

Rated PG for some rude humor, language and some scary action.

Everyone remembers their favorite childhood television shows fondly, a fact that is well known in Hollywood. This is why it is quite common to see your favorites from the 70's and 80's remade into films. Not only does this kind of film draw the audiences that loved the show in its heyday, but it draws a new young audience that will then start to watch the reruns on Cartoon Network and buy all kinds of merchandise related to the movie/television show. And Hollywood loves to make money. So going with this sure-fire formula of success comes the film Scooby-Doo. In this remake of the classic cartoon, the filmmakers just don't deliver as much fun as many recent children's films have for me.

In this the first feature film of the classic cartoon series, the switch is made from animation to live-action, with the exception of the CG version of Scooby. And director, Raja Gosnell does a nice job with this transition. The look of the film is very cartoony, creepy and bright and actually seems reminiscent of the early work of Tim Burton (Pee Wee's Big Adventure, Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands). This is always

CG Scooby showing off his new look

nice to see because it doesn't seem like Burton is able to do anything like this anymore. But this doesn't mean that Gosnell is able to direct the film as well as Burton did in his early days. Gosnell doesn't do anything at all interesting with the camera, he just sets it up and shoots. On occasion he does something very annoying where he has these real brief slow-motion sequences which last about 1-2 seconds and then go back to normal speed. It makes no sense and is really bothersome to watch. But other than that, Gosnell doesn't mess this movie up. The overall film is funny, but it really is much too self-aware of the original series. Instead of using the style of the old series, it mocks the old series, which is something that is rather common in films that are remakes of old TV shows. I really don't like it when this is done, but the film is still has funny moments despite this.

After seeing this film, I am convinced that Matthew Lillard should start getting starring roles with Freddie Prinze, Jr. being his back-up guy instead of the other way around in films like Summer Catch and She's All That. Lillard isn't great, but I do like his work. And he does a very good job as Shaggy in this film. Lillard does get a lot more screen time in this film than does Freddie, but that is more because Shaggy is a

Jinkies Velma, those breasts are too obvious for a kid's film

better and more loved character than is Fred. The girls aren't great in this film either, but their acting certainly isn't what the filmmaker wants you to focus on. There are several scenes in this film where both Sarah Michelle Gellar and Linda Cardellini's breasts are quite evident. Its like a Jennifer Love Hewitt film. I certainly don't mind that, but it probably shouldn't be done in a kids film. The real disappointment is that Rowan Atkinson isn't used more in this film. I have always loved his work and its really a shame that he isn't doing more work in America. He really is an outstanding performer and comedian and there are few who are better than he is. But he makes the most of his brief screen time. The CG Scooby isn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I think CG effects have gotten out of control these days, but this was probably a good decision for this film. And just as a final note on the actors, this film just confirms my belief that Mark McGrath and Sugar Ray are evil.

Scooby-Doo is a entertaining film, especially if you were a huge fan of the original series. But the humor is really more geared to young kids than to the adults and Gen-Xers in the crowd. There are some moments that all will enjoy, but it just doesn't have the same ability to be equally enjoyable for all ages like many recent kids films have had (Monsters Inc. and Shrek). There is however a great scene with fart jokes, but not everyone loves farts as much as me. The look of the film is quite good, but the direction just isn't as solid as it needs to be. This film could have been really great, but it just didn't put it all together like it should have. But if you loved the original series, I'm sure you'll enjoy this as well.

RATING: 52%