Director Tony Cervone’s “SCOOB!” is a heartwarming romp that appeals to both kids and adults alike. 

Based on the original 1969 series “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!,” the members of the ‘Mystery Gang’ are brought to life once again, this time in stellar 3D animation. Originally created by the Hanna-Barbera Television Company, the “Scooby-Doo” series follows five friends, Fred, Velma, Daphne, Shaggy and Scooby as they solve supernaturally-based crimes.

The 2020 film “SCOOB!” follows the same formula as other iterations of this series. The gang stumbles upon a mystery and they work together to solve it, no matter what supernatural twists and turns come their way. The plot of this 2020 film adds a bit more depth to the characters as they deal with conflicts both against villains and within their own relationships.

While “SCOOB!” depicts many callbacks to the original series, along with various original sound effects, there are plenty modern references made to keep younger audiences interested. Meta jokes about the voice acting and references to famous actors keep the chemistry between characters fresh, not allowing the audience to know what they’re going to say next. 

In a montage at the beginning of the movie, multiple recognizable criminals from years past are given cameos. Characters such as the Ghost of Captain Cutler, Dick Dastardly and Captain Caveman have different ranges of screen time, allowing for veteran fans to test their knowledge on classic “Scooby-Doo” characters. The star-studded cast may seem familiar to younger audiences, with Zac Efron, Amanda Seyfried and Mark Wahlberg being in the spotlight for most of the movie.

The biggest drawback of this film is its exaggerated pacing. The plot moves a mile a minute, so not paying attention for even a few seconds can lead to confusion. This fast-paced energy was acceptable in the original series, as each episode lasted for only 21 minutes, but the hour and 33 minutes this film lasted could have easily been stretched in order to allow for a more relaxed plot to play out.

”SCOOB!” is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video and Google Play.

Final Verdict: 8/10