Toronto

Two minutes into the movie, I felt like I did not belong here. It had the definite feel of a children's movie. I was ashamed and embarrassed, and disappointed. But then I thought to myself: it's Scooby Doo, I loved it the most when I was 7 years old. Once I put myself in that mindset, I found I was enjoying it a lot more. Grown-up fans who watched this as kids should note: it IS a movie for kids. Sure, there are a few subtle adult jokes put in, but they are few and far between, much like the show. I hear people complaining that they removed the so-called subtext, ie. Shaggy's a stoner, Velma's a lesbian, Fred and Daphne would go on their own all the time so they could engage in some lusty fun. There are a few jokes that have a pot-laced double meaning, but they do not imply that Shaggy is a stoner. And let's get things straight: Shaggy was never a stoner, he was hungry all the time, sure, but so was Scooby. It was funny to watch them steal each other's food. Fred and Daphne would take Velma with them when they went off together, so that Shaggy and Scooby could engage in hilarity by themselves. After all, they are the stars of the show. And Velma a lesbian? NO WAY! She's a nerd, plain and simple. Wishful thinking from a certain crowd. Apparently, some scenes were cut from the film that heavily implied these scenarios, and I think that was a wise decision. This movie is for kids and should remain that way. All that aside, Matthew Lillard was terrific as Shaggy, Linda Cardellini (of Freaks and Geeks) was good as Velma, but perhaps a little too sexy. I'm sorry, but when she took off her sweater, I found myself ogling her and ignoring Daphne. Since when is Velma supposed to be hotter than Daphne? Speaking of which, I had a lot of trouble believing that Freddie Prinze Jr and Sarah Buffy Gellar were Fred and Daphne. This was bad casting, especially for Daphne. Nice cameos by Sugar Ray, playing their best song, Words to Me, and an ending that had me peeing myself in the theatre and one that fans of the old show will love, bringing this movie from a 6 to a 7.

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