Scooby-Doo: A Treat for the Youngest Moviegoers
Before the dreaded return to school after a summer of dachas, camps, and seaside fun, our distributors have taken care of the last bit of childhood joy by releasing Raja Gosnell’s “Scooby-Doo.” While it might not be a teen or family comedy, it’s perfect for the very young, roughly from two to twelve years old. Parents can enjoy it by watching their kids’ reactions, which shows how loving they are.
The adventures of Mystery Corporation (two boys, two girls, and a dog) on Spooky Island (owned by Mr. Bean) are filmed in the style of Disneyland, a favorite among kids. Scooby-Doo isn’t quite Beethoven; he’s more of a half-computer-generated, half-plush toy. But the live actors, with their exaggerated expressions and movements, also seem like dolls. Freddie Prinze Jr. and Sarah Michelle Gellar are like real-life Ken and Barbie. The clothes are colorful, the faces are cartoonish, and everything is crystal clear, even for a two-year-old. This is intentional, as all children love Barbie. Plus, the adventures are like park attractions.
Spooky Island’s Thrills
Two scary knives swing under the ceiling of a scary room, threatening to catch the two heroes trapped inside. After finding the Devil Stone, another heroine barely manages to jump out from under a glass dome that almost closed on her. The accompanying jokes are pure kindergarten humor, like who can fart louder and more melodically, the dog or its owner. But there’s nothing sexual, just a few final kisses, making it suitable even for newborns.
A Morality Tale for Kids
The filmmakers know how to create an hour and a half of fun and entertainment for those they themselves are no longer. Despite being based on a cartoon series, it’s a significant effort. And the moral, which is essential in children’s films, isn’t burdensome. Spooky Island is home to prehistoric monsters that can’t tolerate daylight. They lure schoolchildren and students to the island and deal with them. The students’ souls float in underground protoplasm, and the monsters inhabit their bodies like spacesuits. As the schoolchildren and students return home, they turn into zombies. They look normal, but in reality, it’s a terrible thing. This soul transfer is very visual. Thanks to computer graphics, transparent heads float effectively without their owners, then chase after them like balloons, and sometimes accidentally enter the wrong person, giving a boy a girl’s soul. The monsters that emerge from human bodies are a clear collection of all possible vices. Even adults might wake up from a light nap in the seat next to their child.
Box Office Success
No, discussing “Scooby-Doo” as a normal film would be a stretch. But the $52 million spent is visible on the screen, and if Soviet parents had loved their children as much as American parents do, the film would probably have grossed $56 million in its first weekend here too.