I was quite surprised to see this movie existed. I can't say I'm close to the Cartoon Network scene or any of that anymore like I was as a child so it doesn't surprise me, but I still love me some Scooby Doo! I personally love all the real action versions including the Cartoon Network ones. With that being said the absence of Fred, Shaggy, and Scooby although they were certainly missed; didn't take away from the overall mood. I would have liked to see the actors from the last couple movies return. But being though this was a spin off it needed to separate itself. So having new actresses didn't really bother me. You could say they didn't fit the roles as ideally as the previous choices. However I think this was intentional not only to create a fresh twist on the series, but also to universalize the characters and to open up to different races and cultures.
Overall I think they did a pretty good job at playing Velma and Daphne. I liked that they made this like a prequel to them becoming the mystery solvers that we all know them for. This opened up a fresh breath of air on the series and allows a lot more to be explored. It's fun to be a part of the characters slowly start to take on the form that we are so keen on seeing. I also want to take the time to appreciate the homage they paid with the chasing montage towards the end. Although rather cheesy, it still put a smile on my face and it certainly added to the mood of the film.
I would say the plot line itself is rather simplistic and at times seems a bit cheesy and underplayed. This is a Scooby Doo movie though, so you have to remember it is aimed mostly for kids and teenagers. With that in mind I think if you stop thinking about how ridiculous and questionable it is, and rather accept it for what it is. You will realize it has a place and it delivers a slighly above average experience. It's certainly not the most action packed hour and 15 minute. But it's also not as boring as other reviewers have stated. I guess as a younger child you would certainly get bored of this. Especially with the lack of Scooby and comedy relief from Shaggy. But as a teenager I think you would certainly relate a lot more to it's modern approach and would be pretty invested into figuring out what is happening and who is behind the whole thing.
This type of story has been used in many other shows and movies over the years. Kids being hypnotized or changed into mindless zombies in a school setting. Just off the top of my head I remember an episode of Even Stevens where this happened with eye exams. Or even the movie Cooties for instance. Where only the children are being affected. So the premise is fairly overused but they tried to modernize it with the technology of today and they changed the reasoning just enough to make it something unique. Some could argue filling a movie with cell phones, social media, and Instagram clones just to try to relate to today's youth is a cheap lazy trick. I myself start to feel a bit drained of the constant pushing of social media influence in today's programming. Although if it works it works. It just really shows what the world has become. It also kind of teaches a lesson in a way by telling people not to be so invested in technology. However if the children and teens who watch this actually pick up on that I am not too sure. I think this is why they address the situation at the end of the movie just to verbally let it sink in for those who didn't figure it out beforehand.
I enjoyed watching this movie. I think it was shot well, paid it's dues, and provided a unique experience. It could have had more Scooby Doo references and things that made it feel like a Scooby movie but it wasn't too bad. I don't want to blast it because I do not want them to stop making movies altogether. I rather we got things like this than nothing at all. I also am appreciative that they are trying something new. I absolutely loved the music during the credits! It had an awesome Scooby Doo vibe and I believe it was used a couple times in the film as well. As for where this could head? Well like I said there's a lot more they can explore. That it be with the same duo or even the other characters. This is a great opportunity to create back stories and to help demonstrate why certain characters are they way they are. I just hope the future chapters will have a bit more substance as far as action and to keep younger audiences engaged. I believe this is an average to slighyly above average movie. I am not a harsh critic when it comes to movies so if you like Scooby Doo or do not have much else to do, then I recommend you give it a watch!
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