Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed Review
by Homer Yen (homer_yen AT yahoo DOT com)April 5th, 2004
"Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed" - Do the Doo by Homer Yen
(c) 2004
Everybody deserves a second chance. The first "Scooby Doo" film, released in 2002, was a vapid exercise that inspired more snoozing than anything else. It lacked the zip and imagination of the original cartoon series. However, it did generate oodles of business at the box office. Studio heads know when to cash in. But do they know when to improve upon an original's shortcomings?
Well, as everybody deserves a second chance, I was ready for a second helping. And, I was happy to find that this film is markedly better than the original, although it still comes up short in its ability to hold our interest over its 88-minute running time. Why is it better? The characters are more fleshed-out, there are more inspired moments of buffoonery, and the spirit of the original cartoon series is preserved. It is as if the creator of this film was an avid fan of the original cartoon and set his sights on delivering a true rendering of that vision. Let's just call this The Passion of the Doo.
As the story opens, the team of Mystery Inc. are attending a museum event that exhibits costumes of old villains that they had defeated. For those of you that had watched the cartoon, you'll certainly remember and get a kick out of the likes of Blackbeard's Ghost, or the Tar Monster, or the 10,000 Volt Monster. Zoinks! Suddenly, a new monster appears and steals these costumes. And we are treated to some of the cartoonish visualizations that had previously been lacking. For example, Scooby gets dragged down a buffet table full of different-shaped bottles. As he slams into each one head-on, his head instantly molds into the shape of every bottle that he hits.
Like all good family films, there is a lesson taught. Again, every one deserves a second chance. And we see those meddling kids step up ready to contribute. Feckless Fred (Freddie Prinze Jr.) defines his leadership role. Vain Daphne (Sarah Michelle Gellar) is ready to be more than just a pretty face. Sweet Velma (Linda Cardellini) has an opportunity to explore romance. Shaggy (Matthew Lillard) and Scooby (voiced by Neil Fanning) can redeem themselves from all their previous goof-ups.
The likely culprit is one of three people. It could be the trash-TV reporter (Alicia Silverstone) who is out to discredit the group. It could be Old Man Wickles (Peter Boyle). Although he has a strong motive, Scooby Doo TV fans know that whenever you're eccentric and your name begins with "Old Man," you are a suspect. It might also be the awkward museum curator (Seth Green), who seems to always be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Kids, I believe, will really enjoy this film. It has lots of eye candy, there are lots of special effects, and there is a perpetual fun-house atmosphere. They visit creepy mansions, abandoned mines, and labs of mad scientists. Meanwhile, the older crowd, if they have seen Scooby Doo, will likely feel a bit of nostalgia. You can certainly buy into the voices of the animated Scooby and his beatnik companion, Shaggy. The film feels like a revved-up cartoon. And, you may think that you've reawakened the 10-year old in you.
Grade: B-
S: 0 out of 3
L 0 out of 3
V: 1 out of 3
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