Scoob! (2020)
Director: Tony Cervone
Screenwriters: Matt Lieberman, Adam Sztykiel, Jack Donaldson, Derek Elliott, Eyal Podell, Jonathon E Stewart
Starring: Will Forte, Mark Wahlberg, Jason Isaacs, Gina Rodriguez, Zac Efron, Amanda Seyfried, Kiersey Clemons, Ken Jeong, Tracy Morgan, Frank Welker
Scoob! arrived in 2020 as a modern, big-budget take on the classic Scooby-Doo franchise, and it drew attention for reasons beyond its animation: its premium home-release pricing and its attempt to expand the familiar mystery formula into a blockbuster-sized adventure. The result is a film that is often entertaining and visually lively, but which sometimes feels weighed down by ambitions that stretch past the simple charm and cleverness that made the original cartoons enduring family favorites.
The plot opens with a sweet origin sequence that establishes the close bond between Shaggy (voice of Will Forte) and Scooby (Frank Welker). Ten years on, their friendship is tested when Scooby is recruited by a league of superheroes to face the scheming Dick Dastardly (Jason Isaacs). Meanwhile, the rest of Mystery Inc. — including Velma, Daphne and Fred — must uncover Dastardly’s larger plan and come together to stop what quickly escalates into a world-threatening crisis.
The film gets a lot of things right in its opening: an adorable early meeting between Scooby and Shaggy, a Halloween-era introduction to the rest of the future Mystery Inc., and a lovingly recreated nod to the original series’ title montage. These moments capture the nostalgia and playful tone fans expect, and they provide a strong emotional anchor for the film’s central relationship.
Where Scoob! becomes divisive is in the choice to amplify stakes to a global, superhero-level scale. Rather than centering on a single, contained mystery solved by the gang’s sleuthing and teamwork, the screenplay opts for an expansive plot that includes superhero teams, interdimensional threats and even mythic elements tied to Scooby’s heritage. The result is a lot of spectacle — bright, fast-paced action sequences and a memorable final set piece — but less of the tight, clue-driven plotting that made the original episodes satisfying.
That escalation allows the animation team to show off: Tony Cervone’s direction keeps the visuals clean and dynamic, and the film is packed with affectionate Hanna-Barbera easter eggs. Design choices, such as Dick Dastardly’s vehicle evoking his classic “Wacky Races” machine, will delight long-time fans who enjoy spotting callbacks. The movie’s action sequences are energetic and aimed squarely at keeping younger viewers engaged.
Performances are a highlight. Will Forte and Frank Welker sell the heart of the story with believable chemistry and genuine warmth, making the Shaggy–Scooby friendship the emotional core to which the film continually returns. Jason Isaacs brings theatrical flair to Dick Dastardly, making him a gleefully malevolent presence who feels like a natural fit in both animation and, conceivably, live-action. Tracy Morgan turns up in a lively cameo that adds another layer of fan service for those familiar with Hanna-Barbera lore.
Still, supporting characters outside the central duo are often underused, which weakens some of the film’s potential. Mystery Inc.’s members have moments that remind viewers why the team works so well together, but the broader narrative frequently sidelines their detective skills in favor of large-scale set pieces and crossover spectacle. A tighter mystery with a few well-placed red herrings would have better honored the franchise’s roots.
Another jarring choice is the inclusion of contemporary celebrity cameos and pop-culture jokes that can feel dated or mismatched with the timeless tone of Scooby-Doo. Such elements may briefly amuse adults but risk pulling attention away from the film’s more heartfelt beats. Overall, the tonal mix hovers awkwardly between nostalgic family entertainment and modern blockbuster excess.
In the end, Scoob! is far from a failure. It’s polished, often funny, and frequently charming. The relationship between Shaggy and Scooby remains touching and well-drawn, and moments of genuine poignancy — especially in a reunion between Dastardly and his companion Muttley — give the movie real emotional weight. Yet because it frequently sacrifices cozy mystery mechanics for globe-spanning spectacle and a surfeit of high-concept plotting, it may not stay long in the memories of viewers who grew up on the original show.
For families looking for bright animation and a lot of action, Scoob! delivers. For fans yearning for a lean, clue-based Scooby-Doo mystery, it likely won’t satisfy fully. The film is enjoyable in bursts and boasts strong voice work and production design, but it doesn’t always balance its ambition with the intimate charm that defines the best Scooby-Doo stories.
10/24