Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, out now

The origin of the world’s most hungry hound.

As with so much that is being created or released during the worldwide issues caused by COVID-19, a lot of the story has been about that side of things, rather than the product itself – in five years’ time when COVID is hopefully well in the past, we’ll not remember that element, but simply judge pieces by how good they are.

Scoob! is the latest attempt to breathe further life into the franchise established back in 1969 with the original – and still hard to beat – Scooby-Doo Where Are You? There’s been many reboots, some of which have worked, others (Scrappy, I’m looking at you) that haven’t. Many different styles of animation have been used, again to greater or lesser effect, and of course we had the live-action movies.

And now Scooby and his friends are being used as the start of a Hanna-Barbera cinematic universe, a la Marvel. Which means in practice that we get “guest stars” from other H-B cartoons, notably Dick Dastardly, as well as the Blue Falcon and Dynomutt, and (Teen Angel) Dee Dee Sykes. We see Scooby and Shaggy meet then the formation of Mystery Inc., then jump forward ten years to Simon Cowell refusing to work with Shaggy and Scooby who of course get into trouble straightaway.

It’s a different – and more serious at times – take, with Dick Dastardly trying to free Muttley from Hell (and Discovery’s Jason Issacs sounds like he’s having fun!). It’s also far more entertaining than either of the live action films, with a strong voice cast and lines that will play to the grown-ups watching alongside their youngsters.

Verdict: Blending Mystery Inc. with superheroes is a different take (although they did of course meet Batman!) and it produces an enjoyable family film. 7/10

Paul Simpson

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