Rating: Summary: Scooby Boo!!! Review: TThis was a bad adaption of the cartoon movie serials. It was much scarier. If you rent it, enjoy the extras but don't watch the unbearably bad film.
Rating: Summary: stupid Review: the only funny thing about this movie was scooby doo, they need to keep this one a cartoon. I hope they don't make any more of them.......stupid....
Rating: Summary: Stick to the original cartoon Review: Scooby-Doo as a live action flick is an intriguing idea, and in many ways this film faithfully recreates the world of the 1960's cartoon. But overall, it made me want to turn it off and put in the original cartoon instead.What this film does right is the sets, costuming and props. They all have to perfect mix of the cartoon and the real world. It really feels like the world of Scooby-Doo could exist somewhere. Also, the performance by Matthew Lillard as Shaggy is dead-on. He is perfect in the role. Also the voice of Scooby is dead-on as well, but unfortunately all the other actors are not quite the same. Freddy Prinze's Fred is very much off. It didn't seem like him at all. Daphne was too quirky for her own good, and Velma's characterization was close, but no cigar. Perhaps most disappointing was the CGI Scooby, who was too cartoony next to the real actors. The lighting on the CGI was always too bright for conditions, and over-all provided a distraction. The story also seemed to drag halfway through, like it was a plot for a half-hour cartoon stretched into a feature length film (which it basically is). It just seems like the stories of Scooby-Doo are better suited for short cartoons. The film could have avoided this, however, if it had given an origin story, telling how the crew of Mystery Inc. first got together. This film is worth seeing for Lillard's awesome Shaggy performance, but otherwise stick to the original cartoon.
Rating: Summary: Delightful film--ignore Ebert and Beradinelli Review: Having been a long-time SD fan, I have long-awaited the time when it would finally have a live-action translation. The results couldn't be more delightful. The film starts when the gang breaks up after Velma leaves when Freddy takes all the credit. The gang is reunited two years later for the same mission; to help investigate a long-abandoned amusement park ride on an island. After finding out that they can't solve the mystery on their own, they finally realize that they worked much better as a team. The film is no more than a frentic, high-paced live action-blending of the old Scooby cartoons with the recent direct-to-video movies. You'll be so distracted by all the madcap physical and sight gags that you'll hardly realize the movie's an hour and a half long. The casting here is perfect, but Matthew Lilliard stands out as his remarkable, utterly believable turn-in as Scooby's gluttonous goateed friend, Shaggy. His performance is so good that it nearly overshadows the other three. Without Lilliard, the movie wouldn't be as nearly as delightful and the discreet pot jokes would probably be more obvious than ever. Don't get me wrong, Linda Cardenelli turns in an equally delightful, yet somehow less satisfying turn in her first major film-starring role as Velma Dinkley. Freddie Prinze Jr. and his new wife, Sarah Michelle Gellar, do equally fine jobs as the snotty pretty boy Freddy and the eternal damsel-in-distress Daphne Blake. Although it's implied drug references and some over-the-top physical gags may turn some mainstream viewers off, the film has a slick sense of style and will appeal to most SD fans. To those who haven't seen a single SD cartoon (such as film critics Roger Ebert and James Beradinelli) may be turned off or be ovrwhelmed by the quick cuts, frenetic pace and genial silly plot. However, if you're in the mood for something amusing and kid-friendly for your kids, 'Scooby Doo' is the place to go. Rated PG for rude humor, drug references, brief language and cartoon violence.
Rating: Summary: Not even good for kids Review: You are better off watching the Scooby Doo cartoons on TV. I rented the movie since when younger I used to watch the Scooby Doo cartoons and enjoyed them, I was also told that the movie had very good special effects. To make a long story short I fast forwarded most of the movie, My wife and my son did not finish watching it.
Rating: Summary: Delightfully Silly Review: I have to confess that I picked 'Scooby-Doo' out to watch because Sarah Michelle Gellar is in it, and I am a died-in-the-wool Buffy fan. Had that not been the case I would no doubt have passed it by. And so I would have managed to miss the kind of utter silliness that somehow manages to entertain and warm the heart. But be warned, if you have a low tolerance for the utterly ridiculous you may find this film a harrowing experience. The film opens with the breakup of the Scooby Gang. Velma (Linda Cardellini) is tired of Fred (Freddie Prinz), who always taking credit for her plans. Daphne (SMG) is tired of always being the one who is carried of by the villain. And Shaggy (Matthew Lillard)? Well, Shaggy and Scooby are a bit too focused on food, as usual. Everyone stomps off in separate directions. Two years later all meet again in an airport, having been individually invited to help investigate a problem at Spooky Island. As Mandavarious (Rowan Atkinson) the theme park owner explains it, the college students who frequent the island on holiday are being changed somehow. He is desperate for help. And so begins a crazy pastiche of monsters, chase scenes, dark rituals, and slapstick meant purely to entertain and amuse. For the most part made for the young, the film appeals equally to those who recall their Scooby watching youth with fondness or who are willing to set aside all requirements of believability. Of course, the film is almost entirely action, with only fitful attempts at character development. For 90 minutes, director Raja Gosnell manages to make sure that there is never a moment when that lacks something diverting to capture one's attention. Initially I was a bit put off but the animation for Scooby-Doo. But the mind's eye, wonderful organ that it is, quickly makes the adjustment. The 'making of Scooby-Doo' extra makes quite a bit of the difficulties of acting with an animated character - of knowing where to look and how to react when there is nothing there. And when you look at the film, the actors' interaction with Scooby is totally natural, which goes far to make it all believable. In the final analysis, the dog comes very close to running away with the show. The film does have redeeming values, as well as being pure entertainment. Friendship becomes one of the driving forces of the plot, much more so than it ever was in the cartoon. One thing I did not care for was some gratuitous crudeness that I feel went too far. Not doubt this was the reason that the film received its PG rating. While hardly ruining the film, it detracts from an otherwise very positive experience.
Rating: Summary: A bomb waiting to explode Review: There are 2 types of SD Fans in the world. One which loved this movie, one that loathed this movie. SD fans will be quick to pick up on the "homage/tribute" (what the director likes to call it), which brings forward the idea that this is a "great" movie for SD fans. Wrong. The "homage/tribute" is washed away so quickly from the mind, as you are constantly questioning when would Shaggy and Scooby compete in a farting contest, or when velma would be dancing in a womens shower room dressed a bikini (A scene cut from the movie, as it was deemed inapropiate for a pg rating). As a stand-alone movie, this is one to avoid. As a movie for fan purposes, this varies depending upon how long you have grown up with scooby-doo, or if you can ever imagine your favorite saturday morning cartoon revamped, and forced to sell drug/sex humor to audinces
Rating: Summary: Love those meddling kids ! Review: First, a word on the cast. I must agree with the reviewer who said that the characters were generally well-cast. Though I'm not familiar with the work of Freddie Prinze, Jr. outside of SD, he did a respectable job. Like the Trekkers before her, I fear that Sarah Michelle Gellar will forever be Buffy. Nuff said. I was also unfamiliar with the work of Linda Cardellini, but she nailed the part of Velma. A true joy to watch. Scooby was well done, and belivable within reason. Finally, Matthew Lillard simply stole the show as Shaggy. Nice to know that someone is carrying on the fine work started by Casey Kasem. The plot was the distraction for me. As an "old school" SD fan, I've been somewhat disappointed in the trend of the recent animated films and this live action go. Seeing the bad guy unmasked at the end of the day is more difficult than saying that there truly were supernatural forces at work. The film certainly had its fair share of "classic" moments, though I could have done without one particular aspect. If you've seen the film, you know where I'm going. Anyway... A pleasant diversion, but more a rental than a keeper.
Rating: Summary: Worth ZERO stars-a real stinkbomb! Review: Phewwwww-the only reason I actually saw this piece of ... is due to the fact that I was babysitting my little niece & nephew & they brought this along to watch. I grew up watching the Scooby Doo cartoon-which is still topnotch in comparison with this awful film. The fact that it is poorly written, directed & acted in is really no surprise-because it is common knowledge that any film featuring Freddie Prinze is a dud-the kid cannot act his way out of a paper bag. Save your money, folks. Anyone with half a brain would recognize this for the trash that it is.
Rating: Summary: A nice adaptation Review: When I first heard that a live action Scooby Doo film was in the works and that it had Freddie Prinze Jr. attached to it, I thought I wouldn't go see it. But being such a huge Scooby fan, I bit the bullet and went and saw it anyway. To my surprise, the film was very good. They captured beautifully everything I loved about the series growing up. The chase scenes, danger-prone Daphne getting into trouble etc. Matt Lillard is the breakout star as he really became Shaggy in the film, from the voice to the laid-back, lanky movements. The actress who played Velma (can't remember her name) also did a fantastic job too. Freddie Prinze Jr. and Sarah Michelle Gellar weren't as bad as I thought they'd be. I didn't like Scooby's CG animated look too much, but I got past that with his cute antics and funny "reech ratterns." I also didn't like that Fred was portrayed as somewhat dim-witted. In the original series, he wasn't dim at all. Other than that, I really enjoyed this picture. Non Scooby fans may find it childish and stupid, but it is aimed at young kids. Most Scooby Doo fans will enjoy it but I think that non-fans can enjoy this film too, if they give it a chance. A co-worker who wansn't a big Scooby fan loved it.
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