I was given an early release of Scooby-Doo and The Goblin King, so I could let the influential movie connoisseur in my house review the movie.? Normally, SuburbanMommy would be the expert in that area, but in this genre, Thing 2 is the opinion that matters.?
First, I should note that we received no compensation for this review, either in the form of money or, in the case of Thing 2, in the form of candy.
Here is the studio’s summary to give an idea of the movie:
Scooby-Doo & The Goblin King follows that lovable Great Dane Scooby-Doo and his pal Shaggy as they try to stop a second-rate, carnival magician named the Amazing Krudsky (Wayne Knight) from turning everyone into horrible Halloween monsters, after he steals the light magic from Princess Fairy Willow (Hayden Panettiere).? Scooby-Doo and Shaggy board the Grim Reaper Railroad, which is bound for the fantastic world of Halloween land to retrieve the powerful Goblin scepter from the Goblin King (Tim Curry), before Krudsky can.? Along the way, the Mystery Inc. crew encounters several enchanting creatures such as the infamous Headless Horseman, the helpful Jack O?Lantern and a frisky broomstick that take them on the ride of their life.? The film also features the voice talents of Jay Leno, Lauren Becall, Lary Joe Campbell, Wayne Knight, Wally Shawn, Russi Taylor and Thom Adcox.
From my perspective, it was Scooby-Doo just as I remember when I was a kid.? Scooby and Shaggy are causing trouble, afraid of their own shadows, and always hungry.? Wasn’t there a backstory that Scooby and Shaggy were stoners?? But I digress…
Thing 2 was very excited to watch the movie.? He isn’t too familiar with Scooby Doo, but he was excited by the picture of the Goblin King on the DVD case.
To someone used to the high budget effects and computer animation of Shrek and Toy Story, Scooby-Doo and The Goblin King did a good job of keeping his attention.? He was a little frustrated that the Goblin King didn’t make an appearance until the end.
Some of the scenes of the headless horseman trying to “get” Shaggy could be scary to little kids, so I’d recommend some caution.? But there was nothing overly violent, certainly no worse than Shrek.
By virtue of staying in his seat for the full 75 minutes, I’d say Thing 2 gave this movie a thumbs up.? And, as a big Scooby fan in my day, I also enjoyed it.
There is something to be said for any movie that can keep the kids in their seats the whole time. It’s the mark of a good kids flick to me. Great post.