Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Entertainment

Scooby Doo - Where Are You!

Certified not worth its weight in Scooby Snacks

By Emma Kae - 20th June 2002 - Back to News

This film is, of course, based on the 1969 Hanna-Barbera TV classic "Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!" For those who believed that it was impossible to do any worse than its aforementioned channel-changing-incentive counterpart, you will be devastated to learn that, in fact, the film is sadly worse.

Directed by Raja Gosnell (Never Been Kissed, Home Alone 3, Big Momma’s House) the film at least faithfully embodies the tone and structure of the animated series and is resonated with the slapstick comedy and repetitive cartoon humour of the original. Some might say that the first five minutes of the film are almost worth it for the musty trip down memory lane.

The crime-fighting characters of the past are fully realized immediately, with an introductory mystery-solving extravaganza ending with an angry looking man yelling about how he’d have gotten away with his crime if it had not been for "those meddling kids". Unfortunately, we also realize that while the cartoon Scooby at least looked the part of his fellow cast, the CGI digital treatment is even more frightening than a blonde Freddie Prinze Jr.

The storyline follows on from this mystery, and shows the kids having an argument over who deserves the credit for solving the mystery, and they wind up disbanding.

Fast forward to sometime later when the group is summoned to the Spooky Island Amusement Park (ten points for individuality, guys) to converge on a quest to solve the mystery and earn the reward money. In some unapparent development in the storyline, the kids begin to investigate what appears to be a series of brainwashing that visitors to the island seem to suffer from as they leave the island.

Sounds dodgy? Well, at least the movie made sense up until this point. Even cameo performances by Pamela Anderson and Sugar Ray cannot save Scooby from certain doom.

From here on, the cast moves from one extravagant and obviously expensive set to the next, none of which are overly spooky or even funny. The film loses any target audience it may have had with its sad attempts to lighten the boring storyline with comedic flair. Included are jokes that a child-filled audience would not even understand, with hints at the drug-related basis of the series (ever wondered why Shaggy and Scooby always have the munchies for Scooby Snacks, the dog talks, and the kids see ghouls that no-one else seems to be able to see). On the opposite end of the scale, the gross attempt at flatulence humour is enough to make even the most immature adult in the audience turn away in disgust.

For those of you that still are determined to see Scooby Doo, you may be able to cling to your sanity through the performance of Matthew Lillard as Shaggy. He perfectly impersonates the movement, gestures and speech of his character (I bet you never thought anyone could get that high again), and is gifted at making you believe that he is acting opposite someone instead of just staring at an empty space. Still, while I found Lillard to be a fantastic comic performer, I still wished I had waited until this one was out on video, where I can at least fast forward through the majority of the film.

As an added precaution, be sure to get popcorn to throw at the people in front of you in the boring bits. Make that a large popcorn…

1/5 stars

For session times that Scooby Doo will be playing at your local cinema, visit the Gippsland Portal Movie Page.
Click here to visit the official Scooby Doo website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Cape Paterson Indoor Bowls Group celebrates second anniversary with community spirit and strong local connections
  The Cape Paterson Indoor Bowls Group celebrated its second anniversary, with Melina Bath praising members for fostering community connection, friendship, wellbeing and active social participation.
• Over 350 attended Youth Agritech Expo, experiencing hands-on innovation and future opportunities in modern farming industry
  More than 350 people joined East Gippsland's Youth Agritech Expo, where students explored hands-on agricultural innovations, from drones to driverless tractors, sparking fresh excitement about farming's high-tech, diverse, and innovative future.
• Have your say on Wellington Shire Draft Budget 2026/27, get involved in a special council meeting on 26 May 2026
  Wellington Shire Council has released its Draft Budget for 2026-27, outlining a measured and responsible approach to managing rising costs, while continuing to deliver the essential infrastructure and services the community relies on.
• Have your say on the draft Roadside and Footpath Trading Policy balance road access, submit by 28 September 2025
  Baw Baw Shire Council invites feedback on its Draft Roadside and Footpath Trading Policy, aiming to balance vibrant business activity with safe pedestrian access. Consultation runs 29 August - 28 September on Baw Baw Connect.
• Share your update and present to South Gippsland Shire Councillors on issues that are important to you or your community on 4 March 2026
  Friends of Agnes Falls and Gippsland Agroforestry will present to Council at Venus Bay Community Centre, 2pm, 4 March. Presentations are monthly; all community members are welcome to attend.
• Have your say on the draft Community Amenity Local Law, submission open until 22 June 2026
  Latrobe City Council is seeking community feedback on its draft Community Amenity Local Law, covering property upkeep, animals, waste, burning and Council land use. Open until 22 June 2026 through online, email, mail and in-person options.
• Have your say on East Gippsland public toilets review until 9 February 2026
  East Gippsland Shire Council invites residents and visitors to share feedback on Council-managed public toilets, helping improve cleanliness, accessibility, and maintenance through its Public Amenities Service Review, open until February 2026.
• Live4Life Baw Baw celebrates 2025 Youth Mental Health Ambassadors, recognising leadership, teamwork and mental health achievements
  Live4Life Baw Baw celebrated its 2025 Youth Mental Health Ambassadors, recognising their leadership, teamwork, and mental health initiatives, while marking key milestones and community achievements throughout the year.
• Gippsland Water launches annual ‘Reduce Your Use’ campaign encouraging mindful water usage during hot weather
  Gippsland Water has launched its annual ‘Reduce Your Use’ campaign, encouraging customers to follow permanent water-saving rules and tips, conserve water during heat waves, and attend community education events.
• South Gippsland Shire Council invites you to submit EOI for Coal Creek food vendor on Living Heritage Days by 14 February 2026
  Coal Creek seeks a local food and drink vendor for Living Heritage Days, held monthly from 7 March. Businesses can boost trade and connect with customers. Applications close 14 February.
• East Gippsland Water celebrates talented young artists in National Water Week Poster Competition 2025
  East Gippsland Water has announced winners of its National Water Week poster competition, celebrating young artists who showcased creativity and water conservation awareness under the theme "Water Heroes: Save Every Drop."