Scooby-Doo and the Legend of the Vampire

Like others have said the story and animation aren't up to par this time. I don't mind the look of the gang being classic, it fits with the inspired soundtrack. But the biggest issue for me is the soundtrack never stops. There doesn't seem to be a moment where there isn't something playing in the background, at times it makes it hard to hear the excellent voice cast.

This was definitely a step backwards after two very good outings with Alien Invaders and Cyberchase. The problems I had with this one were:

1.) The group has reverted to their old van and clothing. Why? It really makes things looked dated.

2.) They need to get Innes back for Scooby. I think they knew the guy doing the voice this time didn't match well, because Scooby doesn't say a lot in this movie.

3.) Maybe it was just me, but the animation seemed to have dropped a notch in quality.

4.) The music was disappointing.

Hopefully the next release returns to the previously successful formula.

Scooby-Doo and the Legend of the Vampire (2003)

* 1/2 (out of 4)

I was always a fan of the TV show so I thought I'd check out one of the movies since this is the only month that seems fitting. Scooby and the gang go to Australia for a rock concert but band members start turning into vampires. I was really, really disappointed in this thing because everything that made the TV show entertaining is missing here. I guess you could say this movie was dumbed down for kids but expanding this out of a 30-minute running time also hurts thing because often times the mystery is put on the back burner while we see stupid stuff ranging from concerts to other items. The actual mystery that is here seems watered down and gets boring after the first twenty minutes. I wasn't too impressed with the vocals either, which is strange since four of the original members were together again for this.

Legend of The Vampire isn't that bad, but it is a departure from the previous Scooby Doo movies, despite the clever references to Witch's Ghost and Cyber Chase. On its own merit, it is serviceable, compensated by the high-calibre voice cast, particularly Casey Kasem, and the surprisingly good animation. The script wasn't too bad if lacking in laughs at times, and the villains were good, if a little obvious at the end. It was lovely to see the Hex Girls back, and I liked Australia and the soundtrack, I love Witch's Ghost, and it is still my personal favourite of the Scooby Doo movies. Where Legend of the Vampire was lacking was with its rather formulaic plotting, the unusually slow pacing and the fact that despite the references to other Scooby movies, and the original series, it is a departure from the Scooby Doo we have come to know and love, and the ending was disappointing. Overall, despite the failings, it is serviceable entertainment, and certainly watchable. 6/10 Bethany Cox

I wasn't sure if taking the gang out of their usual locale of haunted mansions and creepy amusement parks and sending them to Australia was a good idea. While it is still a cool movie it would have worked just as well in Death Valley than in the Outback.

The villain this time is a Vampire called Yahoo-Yahweh, a bit of stupid name. It never sounds right when the characters say it. That minor quibble aside it's another solid entry in the recent Scooby Made For TV feature-length mysteries. Frank Welker (who's birthday it is today, coincidentally) is back as Fred and Scooby and Kasey Kasem is back as Shaggy (tho Scott Innes was perfect in the previous instalments and it puzzles why he didn't do Scooby's voice in the movie). It feels like a slickly animated version of the original show. Especially considering how Warner have decked the characters in their original clothes after fans objected to the modern clothes in the previous efforts. I have no opinion on this matter.

It was cool to see the Hex Girls return and the music this time has a slightly hipper, more techno feel and lacks the orchestral fantasy of Louis Febre's scores for Alien Invaders and Cyber Chase. It's a shame there's no soundtrack CD for this one. I'd definitely buy it.

The extras consist of a childish game and a commentary by Shaggy, Scooby and Fred. Which should be fun. The DVD is presented in bright and colorful 1.33:1 full frame (as drawn) with an above average Dolby 5.1 soundtrack.