Stars:
Freddie Prinze, Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard, Linda Cardellini,
and Rowan Atkinson
Writer:
James Gunn
Based
On A Story By: Craig Titley and James Gunn
Based
On Characters Created By Hannah-Barbera Productions
Director:
Raja Gosnell
Feature
length: 86 minutes
Extras:
Additional Scenes, Behind-The-Scenes Documentary, Featurettes, Cast Commentary,
Filmmaker Commentary, Music Video, Trivia Game, and DVD-ROM Games
Languages:
English and Spanish Language Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Subtitles:
English Captions and Closed Captions and French and Spanish Language Subtitles
Packaging:
Snap Case
Chapter
Stops: 12
Sound:
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Year
of Theatrical Release: 2002/DVD Release: 2002
Theatrical
Distributor: Warner Brothers Pictures
Home
Video Distributor: Warner Home Video
MPAA
Rating: PG
Reviewer:
Mark A. Rivera
Mystery,
Inc. is bought back together after a two year retirement to solve the mysteries
surrounding the “Spooky Island” Amusement Park. Sometimes a part of pop
culture is revived successfully into a feature film format like “The Brady
Bunch” and sometimes something from one’s childhood is all but unwatchable
unless you are a kid like “The Flintstones” with John Goodman.
“Scooby-Doo” falls somewhere in between. One can see where they got certain
aspects of the comedy right like Mathew Lillard’s dead on presentation of
“Shaggy.” In fact the scenes in which he interacts with the CGI animated
“Scooby-Doo” are clearly the film’s highpoints without a doubt. The
film’s opening sequence complete with the obligatory surprise star cameo
captures the look and feel of the animated series, but somewhere in between
exploring and spoofing the dramatic possibilities to make both the parents, who
grew up watching these characters Saturday mornings and their kids, who watch it
now and laugh is lost.
I
can’t point my finger on exactly what makes the film tank a bit except to note
that the soundtrack music and having the characters speak in
“whiteboy-ebonics” is terrible. I’m sorry, but it just stuck out like a
sore thumb the way “Jar Jar Binks” called too much negative attention to
“The Phantom Menace.” The original “Scooby-Doo” soundtrack song from the
animated TV show should have been used and not altered. It is these elements
that detract from “Scooby-Doo.” However the true target audience, which is
obviously this generation’s kids will love it anyway and with more than a
hundred million in box office receipts, there will no doubt be a sequel.
Warner
Home Video’s “Widescreen Edition” presents “Scooby-Doo” with a matted
anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) aspect ratio. The picture has vibrant colors at
many points, but also suffers from some visible grain in certain scenes. A
serviceable, but not particularly outstanding English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
Soundtrack is included along with a French Language Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
Soundtrack and English Captions and Closed Captions and French and Spanish
Language Subtitles as options. There’s a screen specific filmmaker’s
commentary as well as a cast commentary track. The filmmaker’s commentary
discusses the various story changes and development of the project, which had
been in the works since 1994. Freddie Prinze, Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar,
Matthew Lillard, and Linda Cardellini participate in their own feature length
audio commentary track, but they don’t really say much about the film. I
suppose one could put his or herself into their shoes and try and imagine what
could you really say beyond the obvious commentary on sets, makeup, working with
a star who you will never truly see until the film’s special effects are
complete. They all seem good-natured enough though Freddy Prinze seems a tad bit
out of it in the commentary with one-sentence comments of agreement or
reassurance more than anything else.
Six
additional scenes including an alternate beginning that should have never been
cut are included as one reel. There is an optional Director’s commentary for
the scenes too, but I think they were wrong regarding cutting out the animated
opening credits. That is as close to the “Scooby-Doo” I remember the film
ever gets and it is not even a part of the original feature presentation. I
think the film would have been better with the animated credits intact and do
not believe it would have slowed the film’s momentum down one bit. If anything
I think it would have delighted the kids and nostalgic adults alike and psyched
them up more to get into the feature. The scenes collectively run for about 13
minutes and 32 seconds. There is a behind-the-scenes documentary with videotaped
cast and crew interviews from the set that runs for about 22 minutes and there
are featurettes with Pamela Anderson (:52), production design for the “Scary
Places” (4:24), and a “Daphne” fights back martial arts featurette (2:29).
The
music video featuring “Shaggy and Scooby” as well as a music soundtrack spot
and a trivia game plus 7 DVD-ROM games and featurettes for users with a Windows
based PC with Windows 98 or higher wrap up the extra features. The menus feature
the CGI “Scooby-Doo” interacting with the menu choices and are easy to
navigate.
“Scooby-Doo:
Widescreen Edition” will debut on DVD-Video day and date with a full screen
version sold separately on Tuesday, October 15, 2002 from Warner Home Video. If
you loved the film or have kids who loved the film then you don’t need my
recommendation, but if you have not seen the film and are still unsure, I
suggest you rent it first before you buy.
©
Copyright 2002 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.