Review: Scooby-Doo, Where Are You Now!

Overview (Spoilers Below):

The Mystery Inc. gang gathers at Warner Brothers Studios to reminisce about their favorite cases and how they were filmed. But it turns out that the backlot may have its own monster problem.

Our Take:

Everyone’s favorite talking canine has been delighting multiple generations of fans since the late 1960s. With its never-ending series of mystery-filled shows and movies, the Mystery Incorporated gang is still showing no signs of retirement. The month of October is celebrating this spooky occasion with a slew of Scooby-Doo films available to watch on HBO Max or television. This weekend is looking at concluding the month with a mystery-filled hour-long special that reunites the Mystery Inc. gang. Seeing that I’m a big fan of Scooby-Doo, this seemed like a good way for me to kick off the Halloween weekend and celebrate the iconic canine’s fifty-second anniversary.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You Now is a reunion special that combines live-action with traditional animation and is hosted by Pretty Little Liars star Janel Parrish. It centers on our favorite Mystery Inc. characters, Fred (Frank Welker), Daphne (Grey Griffin), Velma (Kate Micucci), Shaggy (Matthew Lillard), and Scooby-Doo (Welker) reuniting at the studio. While celebrating the franchise’s legacy with Parrish and a slew of guest stars, both live and animated, they also have to investigate a mysterious costumed monster that’s invading the lot.

Reunion specials are an excellent way for fans to reunite with their favorite characters from iconic movies and television shows. They’re like wonderful trips down memory lane that remind us why we love these classic icons in the first place and why they’ll continue to be beloved for years to come. So having a special that involves an animated brand, let alone Scooby-Doo, does provide an exciting challenge for the writers to come up with something unique and fun for its formula. I don’t usually watch reunion specials, but seeing that it has Scooby-Doo in it made it a must-see for me. It turns out that I made the right choice.

Without going into full detail, I loved Scooby-Doo growing up and will continue to love him until the day I die. The memorable characters, humorous charm, and entertaining mysteries made this franchise a part of my childhood. So watching this special made me feel like a kid watching the show every Saturday morning again. As someone who’s not wearing nostalgic goggles, I thought the special delivered enough amusement and memories to offer a fresh and self-referential take on the “reunion special” formula.

Since Scooby-Doo, Where Are You first debuted in 1969, it seemed appropriate for the writers to go with the original designs for the characters instead of the recent ones from the direct-to-video films. While the animation for the Mystery Inc. gang seemed restricted by today’s standards, especially when clashing with live actors, it did well in recapturing the limitations of 1960s Saturday Morning cartoons. I also want to point out that the main cast for the gang was once again fantastic in their roles, primarily Frank Welker as Fred and Scooby-Doo and even Matthew Lillard as Shaggy.

The special also did a swell job at balancing the mystery aspect with the documentary-like interviews. While the gang sets out to trap this “Snow Ghost” imposter, several celebrities, including Frank Welker, talk about their experiences with the show and the elements that brought the brand to life. It offered plenty of intriguing facts about specific features, including the characters’ walking styles and Scooby’s character design. Plus, it had other animated characters that acknowledged the gang, such as Batman, Johnny Quest, and even the Powerpuff Girls. The interviews were fun and informative enough to keep the special from breaking its pace. At the same time, the mystery part is unsurprisingly a good old-fashioned Scooby-Doo scenario and nothing else.

Overall, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You Now is a highly entertaining and thoughtful trip down mystery lane. Not only does it deliver a satisfying case that’s worth solving, but it also reminds us why the franchise has continued to grow since its humble beginnings. To me, Scooby-Doo is more than just a brand. He’s a unique canine that inspires me to laugh and be courageous in the face of horror. If you’re wondering how I got through so many scary movies, this is why. Here’s to another 52 years of mysteries and goofy frights, Scooby.