Coolsville
and the Mystery Inc. gang are beset by a masked villain with a
device that makes real versions of the costume monsters the
“meddling kids” have faced in the past. Fred (Freddie Prinze,
Jr.), Daphne (Sarah Michelle Gellar), Velma (Linda Cardellini),
Shaggy (Matthew Lillard), and, of course, Scooby, must save the
day once again.
CRITIQUE
Scooby Doo,
Where Are You?
is a fondly remembered cartoon and a film version was released in
2002. Given that the film was not good, the prospect of a sequel was
not thrilling. Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed didn’t change
that, with a story and comedy that is only okay most of the time and
worse at other times.
The same
director, Raja Gosnell, and actors are back for this follow-up, with
the additions of cast members Alicia Silverstone, Seth Green, Peter
Boyle, and Time Blake Nelson. They are required to mostly ham it up in
situations that are really cartoonish. Some viewers will not be put
off by that, but the cartoonish nature does not make a good film. It’s
cute to see some of the monsters you remember from the series, like
Captain Cutler.
The Shaggy and
Scooby interaction is more developed this time around, too, but these
elements can’t make up for the predictable flip-flopping of
“Whodunit?” and the obvious fact that the film is built around set
pieces, plus stunts and CGI do not substitute for story. The comedy is
uneven as well, although the funniest bits involve Scooby and Shaggy,
particularly Scooby’s 70s afro disguise. Also, the effort to vamp up
Velma strikes as a bit distasteful. Overall, the film feels more like
an extended episode of the series, but this isn’t a cartoon, it’s a
film.
Director Gosnell
doesn’t make any mistakes really but he doesn’t take any chances with
technique either. The production values are a problem because of the
sets, and the costumes are clearly more expensive, no doubt due to the
success of the first film. The music doesn’t get away from pop songs,
but when it does it isn’t at all memorable.
The lead actors
perform seemingly by the numbers. There’s nothing wrong with them but
nothing stands out either. Lillard fares best, as he ups the shtick
and gets the Shaggy voice down even better, yet it grates every once
in a while. The new cast is mostly actors I’d welcome seeing but they
suffer from the script.
THE
VIDEO
The theatrical
presentation of the film is preserved in the usual anamorphic
widescreen format. Picture quality looks mostly accurate, and a few
issues don't distract too much.
THE
AUDIO
The adequate
soundtrack for the film gets the Dolby Digital 5.1 treatment on this
disc. Also offered are French and Spanish language tracks and English,
French, and Spanish subtitles.
THE
EXTRAS
Deleted Scenes:
Seven minutes of footage not in the film is shown here with or without
director commentary, though they are mostly snipped parts of scenes
that did make it into the film or extended scenes. The commentary adds
the obvious why they were cut but it’s a bit interesting to see Scooby
in the early animation stage.
Music Videos:
The songs "Thank You (Falletin Me Be Mice Elf)" by Big Brovah and
"Don't Wanna Think About You" by Simple Plan are featured here and
they're fun additions to the disc.
The Scooby
Doo: Monsters Unleashed Challenge:
A game for the kids that allows the player to solve the mystery. The
actor voice-over is cool but this requires a remote, so it can’t be
played on your laptop.
The Mystery of
the Missing Pants:
Another game, this time with filmed footage introducing the object of
finding the pants of Shaggy’s that have been stolen off the set.
Again, strictly for the kids.
Dancing Dog:
A studio featurette on how animation and a live actor combined to
create the two scenes in the film where Scooby busts a move on the
dance floor. There is also a short “dance lesson” to do the Scooby.
Cute, but not substantial.
Triple Threat
Featurette:
Another studio featurette with behind-the-scenes footage, interviews,
and filmed footage covering three areas of the production: sets,
stunts, and special effects. Some interesting stuff here, and it’s
rather cute that Scooby narrates and shoots from his point-of-view.
True Ghoul
Hollywood Story:
A short featurette humorously introducing us to three of the major
monsters the gang faces in the film and why they aren’t such bad guys
after all. Sometimes funny but really just filler material.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Some of the
comedy may mildly please adults, but this film is mostly for the
Scooby-philes and kids who would love it no matter what. Probably more
palatable than the original but still not a good film.
