 | ON: Content is age-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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster
- Review Date: October 15, 2010
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Fun live-action flick is too scary, mature for young kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie’s live-action style makes all of the content more realistic than kids will be used to from the cartoons, so the multiple monster scenes and frequent perilous situations ensure it’s not for the very young. What’s more, the relationships developing among the characters prompt some discussions about dating that are more suitable for teens than kids, though the movie’s overall silliness makes it a hard sell for these older viewers. That said, those aficionados who can take this latest addition to the Scooby franchise will enjoy the actors’ efforts to bring these characters to life almost as much as they’ll like the humorous references to the original cartoons themselves.
What's the story?
SCOOBY DOO! CURSE OF THE LAKE MONSTER follows Fred (Robbie Amell), Daphne (Kate Melton), Velma (Hayley Kiyoko), Shaggy (Nick Palatas), and Scooby (voiced by Frank Welker) to their summer jobs at the Erie Pointe Country Club, where their arrival coincides with the reappearance of the area’s legendary lake monster. Not only is the monster terrorizing the locals, he’s also threatening the patrons of the country club itself, much to the dismay of the club’s owner, Daphne’s uncle Thornton Blake V (Ted McGinley). Not surprisingly, the gang jumps at the chance to unravel the secrets behind the mystery, but this time the clues point a little closer to home than they’re used to.
Is it any good?
CGI truly is a modern marvel to make movies like this a possibility, seamlessly blending live and generated images into a nearly believable visual experience. Unfortunately for this movie, though, this conjured reality makes for much scarier content throughout, so despite its ties to cartoons young kids might be watching, it’s not a good option for them.
What’s more, the subplot revolving around budding love between Fred and Daphne and Shaggy and Velma raises some content that’s not really suitable even for young tweens. Fred and Daphne are misled about each other’s commitment to their relationship, and their uncertainty confuses Shaggy, who turns to them for guidance about his own feelings for Velma. All is not lost, however, since the friends take a mature approach to the inevitable resolution at the show’s end and prove that they value their friendship above everything else.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about mysteries. How are mysteries solved in real life? What kinds of experts play a role in unraveling clues? In what ways does this movie oversimplify that process?
Tweens: What did you think about the relationships that were depicted in the story? Did the characters’ worries resonate with you? How have your experiences with boys or girls compared to what they went through? To whom can you turn for guidance on issues like these?
How well did the characters transfer from animation to the live-action and CGI style of this movie? What, if anything, was lost in the change? Was anything about this movie improved over the cartoon series? Have you seen any other movies that brought animated characters to life? What did you think about them?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Teen, 16 years old
October 21, 2010
AGE
Slightly boring Scooby flick
It was okay, but Shaggy acted like a dork, the side-plots were not needed, and the villain was lame. Warning for parents: Alot of teen romance.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 9 years old
December 27, 2010
AGE
I like this movie!
Not the best movie, but it was still good and hit the recommendation point.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 10 years old
June 2, 2011
AGE
scary!
I'm 10 and I must say that at the ending I was very scared. If you are under 10 you should not see this and lots of dating more than in any scooby doo moves that I've ever seen.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 8 years old
April 9, 2011
AGE
i love it i whach it sens i was 2
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
all kids
this is going to far with these many scooby doos.yes there good but theres to many
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
all kids
this is going to far with these many scooby doos.yes there good but theres to many
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 10 years old
March 23, 2011
AGE
Yikes!!!
Very scary! Never ever let kids under 8 watch this, Almost gave me nightmares!
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Parent of 8 year old
March 24, 2011
AGE
Terrible movie.
Terrible movie. Instead of solving a mystery, the characters focused more on dating.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
January 11, 2012
AGE
12 year old saying what is scooby doo all about love or mysters
it is a nice film for kids to watch and some bits mite be a little bit scary for them to see or watch but is a good film for any one but is the best for people who like watching scooby doo like i do but watching them all geting in love is not what scooby doo is all about relly if thay make a scooby doo film or a movie make one with out all geting in love and do more mysters.insead.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 7 years old
January 18, 2012
AGE
warning may contain spoilers
they have taken it to far this is would be scary for kids 6 and under.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Topics: | adventures, friendship, monsters, ghosts, and vampires |
| Studio: | Warner Home Video |
| Director: | Brian Levant |
| Cast: | Frank Welker, Hayley Kiyoko, Nick Palatas |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 85 minutes |
| DVD release date: | March 1, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | some mild scary action. |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
