Being a huge 'Scooby Doo' fan for goodness knows how long, any new show, special or film would be watched with great anticipation. While 'Scooby Doo Where Are You' is still the jewel of the crown of the franchise, a vast majority of the 'Scooby Doo' films have a huge amount to like and are worth watching at least once.
Of the animated outings, the only one to not do much for me is 'Monster of Mexico', while the three Scooby, Shaggy and Scrappy films of the late 80s got a better-than-reputation-but-mixed personal reaction. 'Music of the Vampire' was uneven and is also a lesser 'Scooby' effort but was fun and interesting enough in its own way. As far as the 'Scooby Doo' films go, 'Shaggy's Showdown' is in the top half and one of the best of the later post-Sander/Schwartz outings.
Not one of the very best 'Scooby Doo' films like 'Zombie Island', 'Witch's Ghost', 'Big Top', 'Goblin King' (am aware that this is not going to be a popular opinion) and 'Mask of the Blue Falcon' (also really enjoyed 'Frankencreepy', 'Abracadabra Doo', 'Camp Scare' and 'Stage Fright', despite the last having an overstuffed and convoluted ending), but very close.
'Shaggy's Showdown' is not quite perfect, with not all the characters and every part of the story being necessary, the sisters agreed are a little pointless and the producers/executives only seemed there for the film to mock them and give in-jokes of the film industry (which actually was cleverly done, witty and fun, if distracting a touch from the mystery). There could have been more slapstick/action to give the story more kick. There really isn't much wrong about 'Shaggy's Showdown' otherwise.
Like 'Kiss: Rock and Roll Mystery', the animation is great, some of the most imaginative and funky of any 'Scooby Doo' film. Everything is beautifully drawn and meticulously detailed, with rich, atmospheric colours and a lot of care and time clearly went into how the characters were drawn and move. The music is both dynamic and groovy, with a lot of energy and a haunting undercurrent.
The writing is smart and clever, as well as very funny. There are some endearingly goofy jokes (in classic 'Scooby Doo' fashion, while also feeling current), witty digs and inside jokes. The humour is quirky but there are a fair share of thrills and scares, which is what makes 'Scooby Doo' so charming in the first place.
'Shaggy's Showdown' has a really good story on the most part too. It's diverting and has a wonderfully creepy but also quirky atmosphere that is just perfect for the setting. The different approach to the conclusion was interesting and welcome, as well as done well, and it doesn't feel over-stuffed or obvious either. The villain is perhaps the best since the ghost of Mr Hyde in 'Mask of the Blue Falcon' (though the villain in 'Frankencreepy' gives him a run for his money), certainly the creepiest, best animated and most fun, and the culprit is surprising.
Really enjoyed what was done with the characters. Shaggy (in a more heroic and braver role, that different side to him was great) and Scooby never fail to bring a smile to my face and their friendship is so charming and entertaining. Velma, who tended to have a lot of annoying moments post-Sander/Schwartz era, is the funniest, most interesting and most likable she's been in a while along with 'Frankencreepy'.
Fred is also at his funniest in a while, the jokes are clever and sometimes hilarious and his assumptions never fall into ridiculous territory like his younger self in 'A Pup Named Scooby Doo'. Daphne has a wonderful dynamic here with Velma that helps her make her less bland than she could have been for a character whose material isn't as meaty or interesting. The supporting characters are mostly fine, especially the villain and the cook.
Voice acting is very good. Frank Welker shows no signs of being long in the tooth despite voicing Fred since the very beginning way back in 1969, so nearly 50 years and he is going strong. His Scooby voice took some getting used to, having been so accustomed to Don Messick since forever, but it's definitely grown on me. Matthew Lillard is a worthy successor to Casey Kasem, a very difficult feat that he pulls off with ease.
Kate Micucci fills Mindy Cohn's shoes very well, being true to the original and modern Velma personalities but not doing it in a way that's patronising or too sarcastic (not saying Cohn was any of those things, but more to do with how Velma was written in some of the later films). Grey DeIsle is appealing as Daphne, and avoids making her a ditz or too bland, she does have comic timing and backbone. The rest of the voice cast includes Gary Cole, and they all do very good jobs.
Overall, great fun. 8/10 Bethany Cox
