Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins (2009) Review
Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins (2009)
Movie Review by Debbie Winkler
Starring: Kate Melton, Hayley Kiyoko, Robbie Amell, Nick Palatas, Frank Welker
Director: Brian Levant
Series: Scooby-Doo Movies
Release Date: 13 September 2009
Language: English
Length: 82 minutes
Movie Rating: PG
View Format: DVD
My Rating: 
Synopsis:
“Taking viewers back to the early days of the Daphne (Kate Melton), Velma (Hayley Kiyoko), Fred (Robbie Amell) and Shaggy (Nick Palatas) alliance, this Brian Levant-directed prequel tells the story of how the teenage sleuths solved their first case to restore their own good names. Suspended from Coolsville High, the kids -- along with Shaggy’s pup, Scooby-Doo -- are determined to prove they aren’t the ones who staged a spooky joke.” — Netflix.com
Review:
This movie is ridiculous and silly and over the top, but it was just fun to watch. I am a big Scooby-Doo fan and I enjoy just about all of the movies that feature the animated dog, even though they are not really that well made. This is supposedly the story of how Scooby-Doo was adopted by Shaggy and how the gang got the Mystery Machine and started solving mysteries. All of the teens are very different in their personalities and their cliques at high school so it is rather a miracle that they got together when you think about it. Because each of the crew has their own talent and insights, there is someone for everyone to relate to. I always wanted to be Daphne, but I am much more like Velma. Isn’t that always the way?
I wouldn’t say that good acting is a main feature of this film, but the actors were able to represent their cartoon counterparts well enough. There is no line too silly, no physical moves too embarrassing, and no opportunity to overact that is passed by in this movie. Children will get a kick out of the over-the-top acting, vibrant colors and silly situations going on. Teens and adults will be a bit more engaged in the mystery and trying to figure out why the ghosts are attacking Coolsville High now after resting for so long. Of course, the mystery isn’t rocket science to solve, but it was still fun to follow the clues. Following the latest trend in Scooby-Doo sleuthing, the paranormal elements in the movie are “real” and there really are ghosts, not just people wearing masks with cool special effects.
Campy good fun, this movie will be enjoyed by the whole family.
Content:
There are some ghosts that pop out at unexpected moments that can be a little startling, but there is nothing really scary. If children are watching this movie with their parents, then any age can enjoy it without getting too scared, especially due to the silly antics of Shaggy & Scooby, which takes your mind off of anything else going on. Recommended for ages 6 and up.
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