Scooby-Doo Review
by Karina Montgomery (karina AT cinerina DOT com)August 2nd, 2002
Scooby Doo
Matinee & snacks
I was nervous - I did not want to see this film, not at all. No one I knew had seen it so I didn't even have a "I was surprised, I liked it" weak recommendation from anyone. I was convinced I would loathe it. Yet push came to shove and a free ticket was garnered and there I was, with two companions equally nervous about what might unroll. You'd think we were going into a horror movie, so apprehensive were we. Once Matthew "Shaggy" Lillard opened his mouth, we were shocked. Shaggy LIVES. Don't be fooled by the ads for a moment - Scooby Doo is surprisingly faithful. It's not bogged down in modern speak or creepy updating of the crew or unnecessarily focused on Fred and Daphne. It's really about Shaggy and Scoob, and the other 3 admirably flesh out their characters while doing the originals justice.
I know, I am as surprised as you are! Scooby's voice is dead on, and that's fine because it could conceivably be the same voice actor. But Shaggy! I can't go on enough about how creepy it was to hear Lillard speak in that voice - it remained surreal the entire film. I cannot imagine how bizarre it must have been for Casey Casem. Scooby Doo the film obeys every law of cartoon physics, which I deeply appreciate. (For another sterling example, check out Robert Altman's Popeye, and no, I am not kidding). The gang is still locked in a 2-dimensional late 60's/early 70's monochromatic wardrobe, which looks all the more cartoonish for how normal and realistic everyone around them is. They look like they are in an alternate Roger Rabbit, where they are the 'Toons walking in a real world.
By cartoon physics of course, I mean the whole thing, antigravity, instant costume changes and impossible physical feats, including hiding in a barrel and then running in same, that sort of thing. Scooby TV fans will love Spooky Island, man, with its super-creepy dudes and hilarious mockery of teen living today. In addition, the movie can get away with way-over-the-kids' heads jokes about Shaggy possibly being a user of alternate substances without ever sinking to the level of actually having him do drugs; a fine balance to maintain, and it made it all the funnier for us Gen X geezers. It's not too scary for kids, and it's not too modern to date it. It's very true to its fans, and it amuses and entertains. That's all I ask!
Rowan Atkinson is the bad guy - or is he - of Spooky Island, and he's really perfect in every way. Scooby is naïve and dumb and jonesing for hamburgers and Scooby Snacks, he's just what we loved about him. But true Scooby Fans, who saw the show abruptly take a dive in its heyday and remember why, will appreciate the secret prize of the film, which I will not ruin. But you know what I mean. Wink wink. Did I mention Matthew Lillard is so creepily perfect as Shaggy that I still can't believe it? Velma is great too. Check it out. You might be surprised.
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
These reviews (c) 2002 Karina Montgomery. Please feel free to forward but just credit the reviewer in the text. Thanks.
[email protected]
Check out previous reviews at:
http://www.cinerina.com
http://ofcs.rottentomatoes.com - the Online Film Critics Society http://www.hsbr.net/reviews/karina/ - Hollywood Stock Exchange Brokerage Resource
http://www.mediamotions.com and http://www.capitol-city.com
Originally posted in the rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup. Copyright belongs to original author unless otherwise stated. We take no responsibilities nor do we endorse the contents of this review.
