Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (PG, 2004)

common sense media says

Milder than the 1st, but not Scooby-snack worthy.


parents & educators say
  • 30% say violence is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the characters are in frequent peril that is intended to be comic, but may be overwhelming for some children. No one is hurt, but the ghosts and monsters are ghoulish looking and some kids may find them more scary than silly. A kick in the crotch is intended as humorous. The movie has some crude potty humor and some mild language ("butt," "screwed up"). There is a particularly annoying product placement for Burger King.

Positive messages: An abundance of potty humor. No diversity in the cast, but there are some strong female characters.
Violence & scariness: Comic peril that may be too intense for younger viewers. The ghosts and monsters are ghoulish looking and some kids may find them more scary than silly.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Mild schoolyard language ("screwed up").
Consumerism: Product placement for Burger King.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about what it means to use a comment "out of context." What did Heather do to make Fred's statements seem as though they meant something other than what he intended? Why was it hard for Velma to believe that Patrick liked her? What do you think of Daphne's comment that "The object of a healthy relationship is to never let them know you have flaws?" Why did Shaggy think he was not helping his friends? What did he learn? Why was it so easy for Heather to change so many people's minds about the Mystery Inc. folks? What helps you decide what you think about people in the news?

What's the story?

What's the story?
The Mystery Inc. ghostbusters -- Fred (Freddie Prinze, Jr.), Daphne (Sarah Michelle Gellar), Velma (Linda Cardellini), Shaggy (Matthew Lillard), and Scooby-Doo -- are being feted at the gala opening of an exhibit devoted to their adventures at the Coolsonian Museum. But a replica of The Pterodactyl Ghost turns out to be the ghost itself, all of the exhibit costumes are stolen, and TV reporter Heather (Alicia Silverstone) is out to ruin the gang's reputation. Each member of the gang feels responsible, and it will take all of their courage, loyalty, and skill to vaporize the ghosts and un-mask the culprit. Is it Old Man Wickles (Peter Boyle), or his former cellmate Jacobo (Tim Blake Nelson)? Or could it be museum curator Patrick (Seth Green)?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Only Scooby fans will enjoy this affectionate live-action tribute to the unquenchably popular cartoon series. MONSTERS UNLEASHED abandons the first live-action Scooby-Doo movie's wobbly attempt to appeal both to kids -- with silly scares -- and older teens -- with self-aware irony and double entendres. Instead, this one is a straight-on re-enactment of the cartoon classic, with some of the series' most memorable bad guys uniting in a sort of all-star reunion of a scarefest.

The special effects are fun, especially a silly disco dance number starring Scooby in a huge Afro wig to a cover a Sly Stone song, and the action sequences have energy and humor. But the characters are, well, cartoonish, and for anyone but hard-core fans, who will recognize every reference to each of Scooby's many cartoon incarnations, any charm in seeing them played by actors on the big screen wore off sometime ten minutes into the first one.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: Raja Gosnell
Cast: Freddie Prinze Jr., Matthew Lillard, Sarah Michelle Gellar
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 89 minutes
Theatrical release: March 26, 2004
DVD release: September 14, 2004
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: some scary action, rude humor and language

This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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What parents & educators say

6
Based on 10 parent & educator reviews:
  • 30% say violence is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

samuelwoodward4
kid, 9 years old
 
Nothing.
Nothing bad.

maxwasson
kid, 11 years old
 
My little sister is a Scooby-Doo fan.
Well, I have sister named Regan that is 4 and she's turning 5 and she is a fan of Scooby-Doo. And I don't think this movie is appropriate for her.

Frylock
teen, 14 years old
 
Not too bad.
Similar to the first film.

erraggarn98
kid, 13 years old
 
Better than the 1st
I dont know what everybody is talking about???!!! Calm down parents, you may not believe it but most kids in this day and age have seen far worst at school and know a lot. Scoobydoo 2 is a great family film and stop whining! So what if it has farts and silly humour, kids love it! Its harmless. I saw it when I was like 9 and it was fine. Anybody that stops their child from seeing this is really, really, really strict!

Dr. Weird
parent of 14 year old
 
Not as adult, but it sill has some iffy content.
Violence: Scary looking monsters. Some fighting. Sex: Mild.

giantpanda12
kid, 12 years old
 
Great movie
I love it. Scooby-Doo is one of my favorite things to watch!

Hypno-Toad
kid, 10 years old
 
This is Reaking rary Rhaggy
Wow this is freaking scary man! My friends and me had nightamres. I wet my pants. There is also a bit where Daphne strips naked

That Reviewing Kid
kid, 11 years old
 
An improvement over the first but still a terrible movie
The only positive thing about this movie is that we get to see loads of the famous monsters in live action, which is awesome but apart from that it is a very weak film. Also watching Velma get in tight outfits made me feel ill. The same can be said for when Scooby cross dresses

mason loves kids
kid, 10 years old
 
not for teens to like no bad words like (ass hell or sex)
love it because you can see how monsters are fake in real life.

CORN ROX
parent of 4 year old
 
This movie is just plain strange. I haven't seen it in forever though. The acting is okay though. Better than I can act. I just don't think they should be trying to make cartoons into movies. It doesn't work. Oh, yeah and another thing is that I broke the 100% role on all the parents who thought this movie was Inappropriate. Thats the only reason I reviewed this asinine movie. Oh yeah and the only part I like was BEJEEBERS!!!!!! Other wise this movie was hopelessly an easy-to-fall-a-sleep-to bash!

Moviestar746
kid, 11 years old
 
Good for little kids but thee are fart jokes
I am not much of a Scooby doo fan but I'm just saying. There are some scary monsters in this movie. And parents need to know that there are fart jokes in this movie. Like how shaggy lighted up scooby's fart to knock out that pirate. When Scooby shaggy and Velma stop and watch the skeleton and Scooby farts loudly then shaggy replies "he does that when he gets nervous" all I know everybody have reviews about me moviestar746

BabyBoots
kid, 1 year old
 
Big Boot Comments
@ Hypno Toad Yes I know there is a lot (you know)

Spielberg00
teen, 14 years old
 
Just as bad as the first one. Slightly enjoyable, but then again incredibly predictable.
My rating: PG for scary images, comic action and some mild crude innuendo.

 
Great for little kids
I loved it! my little 9 month old laughes at the monsters They are so funny! LOL

fredder
kid, 10 years old
 
zoinks!
after getting thier first case done,mystery inc goes to a museum,and sees their monster that they had captured.but when they get there, a bad guy steals a costume.and the person keeps doing it.like scooby-doo cartoons they solve the problem.but they add cuss words,some sexy stuff when velma dress's in a tight dress and says"who's your mama?''and potty humor.but it is still mider then the first.

KidWhoReviewsStuff
kid, 13 years old
 
Jeepers it's the sequel
Awful Scooby-Doo sequel leaves a lot to be desired. From its Velma in a tight outfit to ridicolous monsters, this movie really misses the point.

fredn
teen, 15 years old
 
love it.this movie was so good i still watch it.

 
should be PG-13
should be PG-13 becuz of crude humor and scary moments + Flirtious Diologue so PG-13/ on air PG DV so i think its has little violence but its still a good movie

cam.t
teen, 16 years old
 
I saw it 3 times!!!
I thougth this was a really cool movie! it isn't the best one though, 1.ther is violence the monsters chase the gang (as allways) and one scene dafne is kun-fo fighting with the black night, and the monsters look lie the don't just want to scare them, it seems like they want to kill them!! 2. there is no language, except fred says "susks" once. 3. there is crude humor throughout the movie, like burps,farts, ect. 4. in one part velma dresses up as some hot-super model girl to impres her boy-freind. one thing is: they did a terrible job making shagy and fred, but shagy's voice is all that's clasic. so this is a great movie for kids 9 and up!

bobfred
adult
 
good
It was funny but the monsters were scary looking but it was good.

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About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age