The movie opens as all Warner Brothers films do with their golden emblem proudly on screen; however, immediately the film breaks away from tradition when a large bite is taken out of it, followed by Scooby Doo’s iconic giggle. Here on in, the classic Scooby Doo theme song begins to play and the production company is credited as being “A Mystery Inc. Company”. We then see a bright moon high in the sky, denoting night time, and the real titles begin to play. During this period, the theme song fades into more dramatic music, and the actual opening sequence begins with one of the windows to the Wow-O-Toy Factory being smashed by the Luna Ghost soaring through, Daphne within his clutches. She says phrases such as, “Fred! Velma! You guys hurry it up!” the dialogue reintroducing us to some of Mystery Inc’s most beloved memories - most of the movie’s watchers likely having been fans of the series before watching such a movie. For such an audience’s sake, the characters are also in their iconic costumes as a way of reminding them as to who is who. Trademark phrases of each gang member are also said, furthering this idea of reintroducing fans to the series, such as Velma’s “Jinkies!”, Shaggy’s “Zoinks!” and Scooby’s “Ruh-roh!”
Fred and Velma exchange a quick conversation via walkie-talkies where they reveal to the audience that they have hatched a plan to capture the Luna Ghost. At which point, we see Fred checking himself out in the mirror, thus revealing one of his characteristics - vanity/arrogance. Likewise, the exchange reveals Velma to be the brains of the operation.
From there, it cuts to Scooby and Shaggy hiding within a barrel and their dominant characteristic of fear is revealed on account of their relentless shaking. Classic events and lines within the original programme are regurgitated here when Shaggy says to Scooby, “Like, there’s a ghost right behind me, isn’t there?” and his iconic running on the spot before finally getting away.
Throughout the sequence pleonastic sounds are used for comedic effect.
Classic mayhem henceforth ensues with Scooby and Shaggy fleeing in their barrel (Daphne still in the Luna Ghost’s clutches), and Fred and Velma falling victim to their own unsuccessful plan. Here, more fun music begins playing, implying the fun of the situation despite the danger the characters are actually in, as Shaggy and Scooby begin skateboarding throughout the factory, pursued by the Luna Ghost. Therein, they crash into one another and collapse into a pile of Pamela Anderson dolls.
Speaking of which, following the quick regathering of Mystery Inc., Pamela Anderson drives through the factory walls in the iconic Mystery Machine, swarmed by a group of adoring teenagers and thus denoting the fame and success of Mystery Inc.
The sequence finishes with the iconic reveal of whom the ‘monster’ is, with the gang collectively revealing that the Luna Ghost is none other than “Old Man Smithers” (“the creepy Janitor”). Velma reveals how he is able to fly - once again signifying her intelligence. Smithers professes how he would have got away with it, if “it weren’t for you meddling kids, and your dumb dog” to which Scooby says a very cheery, “Rooby dooby doo.”
Scooby Doo is my favourite film due to its fun-loving and loyal-to-the-source nature. The plot challenges a number of stereotypes, resisting classic plot lines within the original series and exploring them in new, fresh ways.
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