Scoob!: A Nostalgic Reboot That Misses the Mark
In a world saturated with reboots and adaptations, it’s tempting to dismiss them outright. But sometimes, a glimmer of hope emerges, promising a fresh take on a beloved classic. “Scoob!” attempts to revive the iconic Scooby-Doo franchise, but unfortunately, it falls short of expectations.
The film opens with the familiar Mystery Inc. gang facing internal strife. To boost their brand’s popularity, they enlist the help of Simon Cowell (yes, really!), who suggests kicking out Shaggy and Scooby. Surprisingly, the duo doesn’t put up much of a fight and find themselves drowning their sorrows at a bowling alley. There, they’re attacked by robotic scorpions, only to be rescued by the superhero Blue Falcon and his trusty canine companion, Dynomutt. This unlikely alliance must then stop the villain Dick Dastardly, who, for some reason, has a vendetta against Scooby.
Familiar Faces, Uninspired Story
At first glance, “Scoob!” seems to have all the right ingredients: the classic team with their well-defined roles, a villain with a convoluted plan, and plenty of silly jokes. Even Frank Welker reprises his role as Scooby’s voice, alongside Will Forte as Shaggy. For die-hard fans, there are nods to obscure Hanna-Barbera characters like Blue Falcon, Dynomutt, and Captain Caveman, as well as Dick Dastardly and Muttley.
However, the abundance of characters only exacerbates the film’s problems. The more diverse the cast becomes, the further “Scoob!” strays from its classic detective roots. The mystery element is virtually nonexistent, replaced by superhero squabbles, battles with cavemen, and a climactic showdown with Alexander the Great’s giant Cerberus.
Modern Sensibilities, Missed Opportunities
Adding to the film’s disjointed feel are the contemporary references and musical choices. Rap beats and jokes about Netflix, Tinder, Instagram, and American pop culture feel forced and out of place. While there are occasional moments of cleverness, the humor often falls flat.
Worse still, “Scoob!” frequently engages in meta-commentary about its own simplicity and naiveté. It’s as if acknowledging its flaws somehow grants it a free pass for being unoriginal.
A Corporate Product
Ultimately, “Scoob!” exemplifies a corporate desire to appeal to the widest possible audience. It aims to please nostalgic fans while simultaneously capturing the attention of a younger generation with trendy references and visuals. However, it achieves neither, offering neither genuine nostalgia nor fresh innovation.
While “Scoob!” may not be worse than other recent reboots like “Sonic the Hedgehog,” it suffers from the same lack of originality. Its direct-to-VOD release, prompted by the pandemic, feels appropriate, as it blends into the sea of forgettable streaming content.