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(About Our Ads) "SCOOBY-DOO" (2002) (Matthew Lillard, Freddie Prinze, Jr.) (PG) Alcohol/ Drugs Blood/Gore Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude Frightening/ Tense Scenes Guns/ Weapons Moderate Mild Moderate *Moderate Minor Imitative Behavior Jump Scenes Music (Scary/Tense) Music (Inappropriate) Profanity Heavy None Heavy Minor Minor Sex/ Nudity Smoking Tense Family Scenes Topics To Talk About Violence Moderate None None Mild *Moderate QUICK TAKE: Comedy: A disbanded quartet of crime solvers and their talking dog reunite when they travel to an amusement park island and try to figure out why its visitors are mysteriously turning into zombies. PLOT: Fred (FREDDIE PRINZE JR.), Daphne (SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR), Velma (LINDA CARDELLINI), Shaggy (MATTHEW LILLARD) and his talking dog, Scooby-Doo (voice of NEIL FANNING), make up Mystery, Inc., a crime-solving quintet that's able to crack most any mystery - supernatural or not -- despite their moderate ineptness. Yet, their differences - Fred being the conceited one, Daphne usually ending up as the damsel in distress, Velma being the brainy one and Shaggy coming off as something of a goofy but good-natured scaredy cat - eventually cause them to disband, much to Shaggy and Scooby's dismay. Two years later, the group ends up being reunited on Spooky Island, a macabre amusement park run by Emile Mondavarious (ROWAN ATKINSON) and frequented by those on spring break. While Shaggy and Scooby are happy to see the others and eager to reunite, Fred, Daphne and Velma want nothing to do with the rest, although they accept Mondavarious' request that they get to the bottom of a mystery regarding the island's guests. It appears that while they arrive chipper, the students leave in something of a zombie state that makes Mondavarious believe a spell has been cast over the island. Accordingly, the former members of Mystery Inc. - and Shaggy's new friend, Mary Jane (ISLA FISHER) -- set out to get to the bottom of the mystery and eventually reunite, all while dealing with various characters and phenomena. WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT? If they're fans of the cartoon series or someone in the cast, they might, but this one seems most attractive to the preteen ages. WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG For some rude humor, language and some scary action. CAST AS ROLE MODELS: FREDDIE PRINZE JR. plays the conceited and egocentric member of the group. SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR plays the perpetual damsel in distress who wears revealing clothing and does fight a villain with exaggerated martial arts moves. MATTHEW LILLARD plays the goofy but good-natured scaredy-cat who wants the group to reunite. LINDA CARDELLINI plays the brainy one of the group who's upset that Fred always picks Daphne as his partner. She appears slightly intoxicated in one scene. ROWAN ATKINSON plays the shady owner of the island amusement park. ISLA FISHER plays a woman who befriends Shaggy and also wears revealing clothing. CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit? Then read OUR TAKE of this film. (Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below). OUR WORD TO PARENTS: The following is a brief summary of the content found in this comedy that's been rated PG. Cartoonish and/or action/slapstick style violence occurs in many scenes and involves characters accidentally and/or purposefully being knocked or thrown around, tussling, hitting others, or being threatened, knocked around or rendered unconscious by various monsters. Many of them explode later in the film (when sunlight hits them), but there's nothing terribly graphic regarding that. While not traditionally scary looking (as they're more cartoon-like), those monsters and the peril some of the characters face could be quite unsettling, suspenseful or downright frightening to some younger kids (all depending on their age, maturity level and tolerance for such material). The three main female character show cleavage (sometimes quite a bit) and/or appear in somewhat revealing attire in various scenes, while a comment is made about the potential of seeing a woman naked (when a man's soul is inside a woman's body) and another non-explicit sexually related comment is made. Various forms of imitative behavior are present (including a burping and farting contest between Shaggy and Scooby-Doo), profanity consists of a few minor expletives and some characters have bad attitudes. Finally, some people have drinks and one of the gang seems a bit tipsy, while a misdirection-based drug joke (where no drugs are actually used) is also present. If you're still concerned about the film and its appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home who may be interested in seeing it, we suggest that you take a closer look at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content. ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE There's a drug-related joke in that we see smoke coming out of Shaggy's old-style van (making one think that it's pot, especially since we hear Shaggy commenting on "toasted" and hear the reggae song "Pass the Dutchie" playing on the soundtrack), but it turns out he and Scooby are simply grilling inside. Some could also infer from Shaggy and Mary Jane (the latter also being a slang term for pot) liking and having "Scooby snacks" as being a reference to them having "the munchies." Some people have drinks on a plane. Some people drink in some sort of club. Some waitresses walk by carrying drinks. Some drinks are brought over to Velma and a man and they're told they're on the house. Later, Velma appears somewhat intoxicated, while we also see a drink in front of Shaggy. Fred comments that someone must have spiked his root beer the night before (because of how he feels, but that's not what happened). BLOOD/GORE A comment is made about a hydra-colonic, while Shaggy asks Scooby (in a separate scene), "What do you care? You drink out of a toilet." Scooby then responds, "So do you." Later, Shaggy and Scooby get into a brief insult contest where one tells the other, "Your mom eats cat poop." After Scooby belches quite loudly, he and Shaggy then get into an exaggerated belching contest that then turns into a farting contest where both do both quite loudly and with exaggerated mannerisms (and Scooby reacts to the smell). Moments later, Shaggy farts again and it echoes in the suit of armor he's wearing, while the gas briefly ignites over an open flame. In a flashback, Scrappy Doo (a small talking dog) urinates on Daphne's clothing while she holds him. Some monsters develop cartoon-like boils and blisters on their bodies before exploding (after being hit by sunlight). A great deal of green mucous comes from a monster's nose and covers Scooby. DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE Some of the group's members have a bit of both types of attitudes toward other members and eventually split up. Some viewers might not like one character being involved in practicing voodoo. The villain responsible for stealing everyone's protoplasm (essentially their souls) has both for his megalomaniacal plans. FRIGHTENING SCENES Some of the film's monstrous and/or ghostly looking creatures (and the main characters' encounters with them in various scenes) might be unsettling or even frightening to very young kids, while older kids won't have any problem with the cartoon-like creations and action-comedy moments. The same holds true for scenes listed under "Violence." The gang has an action-filled encounter with a ghost inside a factory (but the ghost turns out to be a human in a costume) that include trying to avoid the ghost as well as sharp blades on a conveyor belt. An imposing bald man goes on in a dramatic fashion about how the island is haunted and we then see an image of a monstrous looking head appearing in some flames (but it turns out to be from some projectors). A large and sinewy monster comes up behind Scooby in the woods at night and then proceeds to chase him (but only briefly). Various menacing-looking statues in a dark and foreboding castle might be unsettling or scary to some younger kids. That will also hold true when a person activates them and they seemingly come to life, including when the gang must avoid knights and their swinging battleaxes (while Fred and Velma must avoid some swinging, pendulum-like blades that keep moving closer to them). During this, Scooby and Shaggy are grabbed and pulled back against a wall where some monster looking creatures (that are all mouth) try to get them, while Daphne nearly runs into various blades sticking out toward her. Daphne barely avoids being caught in a large trap that's closing around her. A large and sinewy monster with sharp teeth crashes through a window and trips Fred while everyone panics. Additional similar creatures then come in, with one picking up Velma who thinks it's just a costume. The sight of some of those creatures carrying unconscious people like small rag dolls might be unsettling for some younger viewers. A minor character briefly shows that she's really a monster (her face turns monstrous) and kids may worry about her harming the others who don't realize who/what she is (although Scooby does). Shaggy spots a container of sorts in which various ghostly heads float around (they're the protoplasm "souls" of various people). When he pulls one out, it returns to its body from which one of the sinewy monsters comes out and then explodes after being hit by sunlight. Young kids might not like a scene where Scooby's protoplasm (soul) is pulled from him and his body goes limp. Scrappy Doo (a small talking dog) transforms into a larger and monstrous version of himself (that's mostly cartoonish, but could be unsettling or scary to some younger kids). GUNS/WEAPONS Knife: Held by a man and to be used on a grocery store-ready chicken (but it never is). Axes: Swung by some mechanical knights in shining armor. IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR Phrases: "Now I really have a wedgy" (what Daphne says while being carried off by a ghost), "Jeez," "Far out," "Idiots," "This place is like uber-creepy," "Can of whoop ass," "Scare the patootie out of Daphne," "Dorky," "Chicks" (women), "Creep me out," "Be-atch" (for "bitch"), "Keeping it real," "You're whipped" (what Scooby says to Shaggy in regards to Mary Jane), "Your mom eats cat poop," "Hey, good looking," "Nut jobs" (crazy people), "Jerk," "Kicking butt" and "Lick your scrot (as in scrotum). Some kids could be enticed to talk like Scooby-Doo, the other characters and/or act like them. Daphne makes a zipping and then throwaway motion across her lips when she states she's not talking to the others in the group. A miscellaneous character on a plane has various tattoos and piercings, a bald man has various tattoos on his head, and a character has spiked hair. Various women wear low-cut tops (and reveal cleavage) or other revealing attire. After Scooby belches quite loudly, he and Shaggy then get into an exaggerated belching contest that then turns into a farting contest where both do both quite loudly and with exaggerated mannerisms. In a flashback, Fred slams on the breaks of their van, plastering Scrappy Doo (a small talking dog) to the inside of the windshield. Fred briefly talks and gestures like a rapper. Shaggy and Scooby have a hot pepper eating contest. JUMP SCENES None. MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE) A heavy amount of suspenseful and ominous music (with some comedy undertones) plays during the film. MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE) A song has the lyrics, "She's a brick house. She's mighty mighty, just letting it all hang out." PROFANITY At least 2 asses and 1 incomplete S.O.B. SEX/NUDITY The real Pamela Anderson briefly shows up in a tight and formfitting top that shows some cleavage. Daphne and Mary Jane show varying amounts of cleavage (often in very tight and/or low-cut/revealing tops) throughout the film (with Daphne also appearing in a very short skirt), while Velma briefly also shows a moderate amount of cleavage. A few miscellaneous female characters are also seen in low-cut tops or in bikinis. After Velma complains about Daphne always being picked before her and Fred only caring about swimsuit models, Fred replies, "Dorky chicks like you turn me on too." Scooby tells Shaggy (in regards to Mary Jane) that he's "whipped" (a term which is usually used in conjunction with slang for female genitalia). After the souls of the group accidentally are mixed up (with Fred in Daphne's body, etc.), Fred (as Daphne) looks down at his/her cleavage, smiles and enthusiastically states, "Hey, I could look at myself naked." Daphne (in another body) tells him/her, "Get your hands off me" (referring to Fred being in her body) and then complains that he "keeps touching me." Fred and Daphne passionately kiss and she then tells him to cut it out (but then smiles). SMOKING None. TENSE FAMILY SCENES None. TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT Teamwork and how the group solves the problem working together rather than as individuals. Supernatural events and the explanation behind them. VIOLENCE Most of the following is presented in either a cartoonish or slapstick/action fashion. A ghostly figure breaks through what looks like a factory wall (or something inside it lined up like a wall). Moments later, it blows some flames that briefly ignite Scooby-Doo's tail (with a barrel top hitting the pooch on the head as well). Shaggy and Scooby (inside a barrel) accidentally run into and knock over Fred, but eventually smash into the ghost (who turns out to be a person in costume), while the group's van smashes through a factory door. While mad at Daphne, Velma goes for her, but instead grabs Fred by the neck (since she can't see without her glasses). Fred whacks Scooby on the nose to make him stop barking at a cat. In turn, Scooby punches Fred in the face. We see a zombie like spring breaker grab a male student by the crotch and shirt, pick him up, and then throw him across the beach. A large and sinewy monster comes up behind Scooby in the woods at night, but Scooby accidentally causes a tree to snap back and whack the creature in the head. It then chases Scooby up a tree, but is flung across the woods when that larger tree snaps back (and the monster lands on the front of a roller coaster train). Scooby accidentally hits Shaggy in the face while demonstrating what he'd do for a Scooby snack. A swinging blade hits a book that Fred is holding and knocks him through the air and through a pane of glass that shatters. In a training video showing a bad human encounter, a guy crushes a glass that's in his hand. In a flashback, Fred slams on the breaks of their van, plastering Scrappy Doo (a small talking dog) to the inside of the windshield. Scooby-Doo accidentally knocks over a person while trying to hide. A large and sinewy monster with sharp teeth crashes through a window and trips Fred while everyone panics. Additional similar creatures then come in, with one picking up Velma who thinks it's just a costume. Scooby then accidentally sends Shaggy, Mary Jane, Daphne, himself and the cart they're on crashing through a window and then down to an awning that catches them. Some monsters then jump after them, but crash through the awning and land quite hard on the sidewalk (but they're only dazed). One of the creatures then kicks the other. Various possessed humans try to break through a wall to get to Shaggy and Scooby, with Fred (who's also under a spell) breaking through a small window and grabbing Shaggy. Shaggy and Scooby then burst through the wall on ATVs. Mary Jane hits her head on a tree. After Scooby falls through a hole, Shaggy jumps after him and lands quite hard in the cave below. A monster explodes when coming into contact with sunlight. Velma knocks Daphne into another room so that her protoplasm will rejoin her body. Another monster then comes out and explodes when hit by sunlight. Shaggy is accidentally pulled up and banged into a cave ceiling, while Daphne slams into a wall. Shaggy then accidentally bashes into a bad guy and slams him back against a wall, knocking him out. That man then comes to, but Shaggy unknowingly hits, kicks and elbows him several times, eventually knocking him out again. Shaggy runs into someone and then knocks Mondavarious down. Various other people are also knocked down. A monster knocks Velma and Fred backwards and then knocks various people aside. Meanwhile, a muscular man grabs Daphne by the throat and she then fights with him, kicking him several times. He then throws her to the ground and tries to do a wrestling drop on her with his elbow (but misses and hurts his elbow). He then tries to break through a door to get at her, but she slams it into him. He then has her over his neck/back like he's prepared to break her back, but she bites his hand. She then kicks him several times in the face and he eventually crashes down through a vent into a cave below. Fred spins a rope with something heavy on the end that he uses to strike several people on the head. Mary Jane (or the monster in her) grabs Shaggy by the neck and slams him up into the top of a cave. Various monsters explode when sunlight hits them. Scooby knocks Scrappy Doo (a small talking dog) across the way where he lands against some rocks. Velma playfully punches a guy who likes her in the chest. Scooby repeatedly hits himself in the face with a metal tray after eating too many hot peppers. Reviewed June 8, 2002 / Posted June 14, 2002