Scooby-Doo and The Loch Ness Monster - NR

Sure to please young fans of Scooby-Doo.

Rating: NR for not rated Studio: Warner Bros. Directed By: Clyde Geronimi Cast: Eleanor Audley, Don Barclay Running Time: 74 minutes Release Date: 06/22/2004 Genre: Family and Kids

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that SCOOBY-DOO AND THE LOCH NESS MONSTER is simply a longer version of the typical Scooby-Doo television cartoon. Sexuality, language, commercialism, and substance use are non-issues. The only potential red flag is the violence, which is rendered in very comic fashion -- no deaths, no injuries, but plenty of wacky chases. The monster that creates the violence is an evil-looking serpent-like creature and is potentially scary, especially to very young viewers. The film leaves open the possibility that the monster does truly exist, unlike most Scooby-Doo episodes, which typically expose monsters to be hoaxes perpetrated by unhappy humans.

Families who watch this film could discuss how the open ending is different from other Scooby-Doo adventures. Could there really be a Loch Ness monster? Why did Fiona Pembroke need to fake the monster if there is a real one?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: David Gurney

Scooby, Scooby-Doo, where are you? In this installment of the Scooby saga, Scoob and his pals are visiting Scotland in order to help Daphne's Scottish cousin Shannon host a Highland Games athletic competition. The competition is set to take place next to Loch Ness, where for centuries there have been sightings of a mysterious monster lurking in the water. Of course, with Mystery Inc. on the scene, it's not long before the monster materializes and begins to wreak havoc on the festival grounds, kicking the gang into high monster hunting mode.

The film works as a beefed up Scooby-Doo television episode, with very little to elevate it above that. It does an admirable job of introducing children to some of the more unique aspects of Scottish culture, including the dialect, traditional sporting competitions, and foods, without making the Scots appear to be too strange. The longer length will make the film drag a bit for parents and older kids, who will quickly recognize the repetitious pattern of chaotic chases followed by analysis of clues. However, younger children who are fans of the show should have a fun time piecing together a slightly larger mystery with the gang.

If SCOOBY-DOO AND THE LOCH NESS MONSTER hits the spot with your family, more Scooby-Doo adventures are recommended, like Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase (2001), Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders (2000), and Scooby-Doo and the Monster of Mexico (2003).

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