Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders (2000)

On a trip across the desert, the gang encounter some sort of craft and, panicking, crash the van. As they wait for help Scooby and Shaggy claim to have seen aliens. Stuck in the town waiting for repairs to be done they investigate an old man's claims of abductions. Meanwhile Shaggy and Scooby fall in love with a local hippy girl and her dog and follow her to investigate a fenced off government area of the desert and the bank of satellite dishes.

One of a series of new Scooby Doo films, this doesn't distinguish itself in any particular way but does continue to give us what the others did – a more aware version of the old cartoon without going the whole hog and filling it with knowing adult gags. The plot (as with most of the new cartoons) involve real beasts rather than just relying on comedy monsters – these aliens are a little unsettling at times, but the comedy is still good for kids.

Scooby doing impressions is a good one, but there are also some self-aware gags that work well for those who grew up watching the old cartoon series – the best bit being where the line `and we would have got away with it etc' is cut short by an impatient policeman as the film moves on! Some of the musical numbers are a little weak but just about contain enough funny lines to cover for the poor music. Shaggy's love subplot is not as strong as it could have been but is still an amusing side of the film.

Overall this is probably not for adults but can be watched by them as long as they are fans of the series. The gentle comedy is good and the plot is farfetched but well put together (although I had major reservations at the end). If you're planning to watch it then I imagine you already know you're in the mood for that type of humour and, as long as you are, this is quite an enjoyable little movie.