Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed

Review by Clint Morris

The first Scooby Doo movie was akin to can of no-frills dog food.

The target market jumped at it, but once they got into it; realised it was just wasn’t as good as 'the real thing'.

The biggest problem with the film was that it just didn’t possess any of the elements that made the original cartoon series so popular.

There were insalubrious fart gags instead of welcome giggles, shonky special effects and sets, and for the most part, not much of a storyline.

And who else noticed that Scooby, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne and Velma were nothing like their toon counterparts? Just maddening.

Practice makes perfect, they say, and in the case of Scooby Doo 2 – which though still far from perfect – it is a proven avowal. The bowl’s full of a lot more tasty treats this time around that’s for sure.

At the opening of the Coolsonian, a large museum that’s newest exhibit features a look back at the cases solved by Mystery Inc, the Scooby Gang lose an embarrassing battle against an evil masked figure that comes to steal the costumes. Seems the rogue’s pinched costumes so they can turn outfits into actual monsters and pretty soon, Coolsville is going to be full of them. Surely, the gang can get to the bottom of this one?

Everything seems to come together a lot better this time. The sets are impressive, the special effects – though still a bit so-so – are a lot better than first time around, and the cast – especially newcomers Green, Silverstone, Boyle and Nelson – really add some spark to proceedings.

Matthew Lillard is a standout – just as he was in the first film – as Shaggy, with that voice and that attire, and Neil Fanning, the voice of ‘Scooby’, is at his cutesy voice-overing best.

The main difference between the sequel and its predecessor, though, is James Gunn’s script. This one’s packed with much more than the first. For starters, there’s a start, middle and end, and by the finale of the film, you’ll feel as if you actually did get your monies worth.

It’s moderately spoiled by a little too much advertising cash-in’s and soundtrack promos, but for the most part this is the Scooby they should have done first time around.

A doggone treat for the whole family, Scooby Doo 2 is a howling good time – especially if you’re only knee-height – as long as you’re still not too piqued that Australia was shafted in exchange for Vancouver this time around.

If this one’s any indication, the second sequel’s going to be worth hanging out for.

3 out of 5

Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed
Australian release: Thursday April 1st
Cast: Matthew Lillard, Neil Fanning, Linda Cardellini, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Seth Green, Freddie Prinze, Jr., Alicia Silverstone, Peter Boyle, Nick Millard, Tim Blake Nelson.
Director: Raja Gosnell.
Website: Click here.

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