‘Scooby Doo’ tracks down movie success

Scooby Doo has given new meaning to the term “dog years.”

Debuting on the landmark “Scooby Doo, Where Are You?” in 1969, the Great Dane now would be 231 in human years (the Scooby Snacks must keep him young). Since that time, Scooby and the Mystery Inc. gang have entertained two generations through various incarnations and remain a daily TV staple today.

Now, in a cinema that recycles all concepts boomer, a natural thing has happened – a live-action “Scooby Doo” has arrived on the big screen. And jinkies, it works.

Raja Gosnell (“Big Momma’s House”) kinetically directs from a knowing screenplay by James Gunn II, which captures the essence of the best Scooby episodes. In this case, having a cartoonish quality is actually a good thing.

The film itself starts on a down note, as petty jealousies break apart the Mystery Inc. gang, with its members going their separate ways. Velma goes to work for

NASA, Freddie becomes a self-promoting author, damsel-in-distress Daphne takes martial-arts training, and Shaggy and Scooby travel in the Mystery Machine, scarfing down foul-sounding veggie treats along the way.

They get back together when they individually are invited to the resort of Spooky Island by its owner, the reclusive Mondavarious (played by Rowan Atkinson). He’s concerned because his main clientele, college students on spring break, are leaving as zombies after their stay (this is unusual?).

The members of the fractious Scooby gang each try to solve the case on their own at first, but eventually they team up to solve the mystery. There’s lots of foreboding, ghoulies, slapstick action and a cool soundtrack along the way.

The human actors succeed in adding depth to their two-dimensional characters. Also there’s a good chemistry among the cast. Freddie Prinze Jr. (Fred) and Sarah Michelle Gellar (Daphne) are a couple in real life, and both have acted previously with Matthew Lillard (Shaggy). Standouts in the cast are Lillard, who’s dead-on with Shaggy’s cracking tenor and scaredy-cat mannerisms, and Linda Cardinelli, who makes brainy Velma a more sympathetic character. Of course, the computer-generated Scooby, again voiced by Scott Innes, brings it all together.

My junior critic was delighted by the film, especially when the surprise villain of the piece was unveiled. My toddler critic paid it his highest compliment, sitting in his seat throughout the entire 95-minute movie. Since then, he’s been boning up on his Scooby history, on TV and video.

The best part about “Scooby Doo” is that it can be enjoyed on different levels by children and adults. The children can absorb it as a big, loud, colorful Scooby episode. But there’s subtle insider touches that can be savored by parents as well. It’s a film that can connect with two generations, leaving both howling with laughter.

Dale McGarrigle is the NEWS’ veteran entertainment writer. His 6-year-old daughter, Samantha, fell in love first with Scooby Doo cartoons, and even though she prefers less-watchable shows now, the great Great Dane still holds a warm spot in her heart. “Scooby Doo” is one of the few cultural icons that she and her 3-year-old brother, Ben, agree upon.