Zoinks! Get ready to join Scooby and the gang for a trip down memory lane as they face their most challenging mystery ever! Is this fully-animated Scooby-Doo action adventure kid-friendly? I’m breaking down all of the thematic elements in my SCOOB Parent Movie Review to help YOU decide if it’s safe for kids. As always, no spoilers!
SCOOB Parent Movie Review
SCOOB! starts right off full of action as we’re introduced to Scooby-Doo as a puppy stealing food and running from the police. We jump over to Shaggy as a child and see how lonely he is. Shaggy is looking for a best friend. Everywhere he looks, it seems like someone has a best friend. Everyone except for himself.
Soon Scooby-Doo and Shaggy meet, and have both found what they’ve been searching for. Shaggy presents Scoob with his very own collar, and the scene will just about melt your heart.
Scoob and Shaggy are best friends and inseparable. They soon are introduced to the rest of the “gang.” Fred, Daphne, and Velma. If you ever wondered how these friends met, here’s your answer!
I will say that I was a bit disappointed that the movie didn’t explore more of their adventures as kids. My boys both loved seeing Scooby as a pup and everyone as kids. I feel they grew up way too fast. It was very rushed. I guess I was expecting an origin story, and this is really not.
SCOOB! is full of Nostalgia and Pop Culture
Did you grow up watching Scooby-Doo cartoons on Saturday morning? You will really get a kick out of the nostalgia! From hearing “Zoinks” and “Jinkies,” to Scooby jumping up afraid into Shaggy’s arms, both of them trembling, and even the noise Scooby made with his paws bowling, original Scooby fans will appreciate the throwbacks.
There is a HUGE nod to Hanna-Barbera cartoons. Blue Falcon, Dynomutt, and my personal favorite, Captain Caveman!!
The pop culture references are off the charts. For starter, Simon Cowell. Need I say more? I literally LOLed when he was on the screen. There are also Harry Potter references, Velma in a Ruth Bader Ginsburg costume, and my oldest sons favorite movie quote, “You have to pay for Netflix?!”
SCOOB! has the nostalgic appeal of its original cartoon, yet it’s modernized for today’s society. While this works, there’s A LOT going on in this movie. There isn’t just one plot, there are several sub-plots mashed together. Don’t think this film is still not fun and enjoyable. You’ll be laughing right along with your kids…they just might not understand completely what they’re laughing at.
Is SCOOB! Kid-Friendly?
Ahhh, yes. Here it is, the reason you’re reading this movie review. Should your kids see SCOOB!? Well. Maybe? SCOOB! is rated PG for action, language, and rude/suggestive humor. Zoinks! It has a running time of 94 minutes, which is usually a great time frame for little ones. HOWEVER, my 6 year old did ask me about 45 minutes in if it was almost over. Let’s breakdown the issues I, as a parent, have with SCOOB!
Are there Violent themes in SCOOB!?
This is an action packed adventure movie, of course we should go into this film expecting violence. While there isn’t anything too crazy, there are some scary robots that resemble scorpions, and there is one scene that I thought was a little much. Dick Dastardly pulls the head off of one of his robot creatures (which seems very alive-like), and throws the head into the fire.
What are the Language and Adult Themes in SCOOB!?
Here we go. While there isn’t any profanity in SCOOB!, there are plenty of other inappropriate language references. For starters, there is a conversation between Dick Dastardly and Scooby where Scoob cannot pronounce his name. Dastardly goes on to say, “I’m Dick…with a D!” Scooby is still having trouble with the pronunciation, so Dastardly says “Dick, Dick, Dick!!”
Really?! Was this necessary? In a “kids” movie? The answer is NO. I really cannot even believe they thought this was a good idea.
It doesn’t end there.
Shaggy mentions dropping F-bombs. Blue Falcon tells him to keep it PG. Shaggy in turn says, “not those kind of F-bombs!” Then says, “F-bombs away!”
Blue Falcon shows Shaggy a book called, “No Falcon Around.”
Again. There is just no need other than to appease the adults. It will likely go over your children’s heads, but it’s just not necessary in a kids movie.
There is a reference to opening the gates of Hell (although that particular word is not used), and a reference to the Tinder app. Other words used are: dipstick, moron, stupid, and suck-face.
Age Recommendation for SCOOB!
Taking the above into consideration, you know your kids best. Will they understand these inside jokes? Probably not. I know my kids ages 6 & 10 did not. I’d recommend SCOOB! for ages 6 and up. Just let’s hope our kids won’t start running around screaming, “Dick, Dick, Dick!”
Overall Thoughts on SCOOB!
While I just tore this movie apart in the “kid-friendly” department, that’s not to say I don’t think this is a good family movie. I just don’t think SCOOB! was made for kids. I think it was made for the “kids” like me who grew up watching Scooby-Doo on Saturday mornings. Will our kids enjoy SCOOB!? Yes. Absolutely. I was just hoping for more of an origin story, and less suggestive adult humor.
SCOOB! celebrates the power of friendship and the strong bond between man and dog. It will tear your heart out when Scooby says, “Raggy. You promised you’d never leave. Come home.” There is definitely some heartfelt substance to this film.
Overall, SCOOB! is a blast from the past loaded with nostalgia, pop culture, and above all friendship. Grab your Scooby Snacks and have your own SCOOB! family movie night!
About SCOOB! Movie
The first full-length animated Scooby-Doo adventure for the big screen is the never-before told stories of Scooby-Doo’s origins and the greatest mystery in the career of Mystery Inc.
“SCOOB!” reveals how lifelong friends Scooby and Shaggy first met and how they joined with young detectives Fred, Velma and Daphne to form the famous Mystery Inc. Now, with hundreds of cases solved and adventures shared, Scooby and the gang face their biggest, most challenging mystery ever: a plot to unleash the ghost dog Cerberus upon the world. As they race to stop this global “dogpocalypse,” the gang discovers that Scooby has a secret legacy and an epic destiny greater than anyone imagined.
I hope you found my SCOOB Parent movie review helpful. Will you be watching the new Scooby-Doo movie with your family?
Make it a FUN movie night with this SCOOB! Printable Party Pack!!!
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I liked it but I DEFINITELY agree that some of the inappropriate jokes were a little much. I pretty much clicked this review to see if you agreed with me on that lol. I thought it was very funny and loved that it was entertaining for parents too but I noticed all of the inappropriate jokes you mentioned. and said, “WOW!” out loud.
Ugh. I’m glad I’m not alone with thinking this is totally unnecessary in a “kids” movie. I just don’t feel it was made for kids. My kids definitely enjoyed it, and I did as well…just with they left a lot of stuff out.