Film of the Week: Scoob

I wouldn’t say I love the Scooby-Doo episodes, but I definitely don’t hate them, and to say that I only like them does do them a disservice. The classic episodes that aired when I was a kid, structured around a formula which is used in every episode, provided me with endless entertainment, and whilst I haven’t seen an episode in years, I know I haven’t grown out of the show. I don’t think it’s possible to grow out of the show. Sure, its target audience is kids, and I’m 26, I am sure I’m not the only adult who can happily spend a couple of hours binging the classic Scooby-Doo episodes, or am I?

And with most cartoons, someone comes along and tries to make it into a live-action film – which generated a cult following – a small one, but loyal, nevertheless. There must have been enough fans following to generate a sequel, but unfortunately both films weren’t met with glamorous critical claim, and most cinema goers said in their own ways that the films weren’t as good as the cartoons.

But live-action films weren’t all that people tried to squeeze money from the franchise, and many direct-to-DVD films were released, including one where they meet Batman. I haven’t seen it, but do I really have to, to acknowledge the strange combination. Maybe the pairing is awesome, but surely, I would’ve known more about it if it were any good?

And with every TV show that popularised my childhood, I slowly stopped watching them and moved on with my life. (pardon the pun) I watched my TV evolve over the years, but I still held on to those fond memories of coming home from school and sticking on CITV, or waking up on a Saturday morning, grabbing a bowel of cereal and tuning into my favourite shows without a single worry in the world. They were simple times back then, and Scooby-Doo is one of those shows where it has a strong connection to it being easier – and coupled with the show being practically faultless (until Scrappy-Doo started to make appearances, but that’s an article for another day and you have better brace yourself for that one as it’s going to be quite the rant), how can I not like it.

Skipping ahead a few years, whilst browsing the list of films that had unfortunately been affected by current situations, I noticed one I hadn’t heard of before, and whilst immediately intrigued. A computer animated theatrical Scooby-Doo film, Scoob. Well, it was a no-brainer that I was going to watch it, and I have to say, I’m glad I did, but it does have its faults, I’m not going to lie.

It’s a theatrical film, not a standard episode, so more elements have to be included, and when you start messing around with a formula that has worked for years without ruining the classic show; if it isn’t broke, don’t change it. Starting off with a scene which I believed would set up the entire movie, but turned out to just be the opener, Shaggy and Scooby’s first ever meeting. It gave the impression that it was going to be an origin story for the team, but then the montage of showing them growing up and gaining experience on many adventures happened behind the opening credits until stopping at the point where they’ve made a name for themselves and people seek their help with potential hauntings.

I want to make it clear that I do not have a problem with the story once it gets going. When the wheels start turning, gaining momentum, it’s a genuinely compelling story with a good couple of solid laughs here and there, with a moral interwoven between for the kids to learn something whilst watching their favourite characters go on a grand adventure.

But... 

There is one massive elephant in the room, and it changed the way I saw the movie as a whole. It’s the first film in a potential cinematic universe, because of course it is. Every film these days is part of some cinematic universe. This is the first in what hopefully will be established as the Hannah-Barbera cinematic universe, or what it may be eventually abbreviated to, the HBCMU.

But, why? Is it necessary? Is it necessary to have Tom and Jerry standing in the same room as Shaggy and Scooby and the gang? They’re both great TV shows, and whilst they’re made by the same company it does make sense that they can crossover, but again, is it necessary? After giving it much thought, I’ve developed an answer that surprised me.

Scoob does have two other Hannah-Barbera properties involved, Dick Dastardly and Blue Falcon, but it’s a standalone film. I didn’t know that it was intended to be the first instalment of a cinematic universe until after I watched the film, I just thought they were taking advantage of the other characters and using them to create a unique story for Scooby and the gang, for the sake of taking advantage, because they can. The collaboration felt natural, not forced or rushed like every other cinematic universe trying to imitate Marvel’s success. The reason why this film is as good as it is, despite the knowledge of it being an attempt at starting yet another shared universe, is because it’s doing its own thing, at its own pace, not at all trying to imitate anybody else. If they can keep that level of quality going throughout the many films which may come over the years, I can see this franchise being an extremely successful one.

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)