| 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. |
Parents need to know that while there's plenty of cartoon violence in this new Scooby-Doo series -- complete with baddies firing laser guns -- the effects are kept to a minimum even by 'toon standards. Bumbling bad guys may hit one another with ricochet beams, but the result is never more than singed hair or a sore butt. The old Scooby's spooky supernatural elements have been replaced by an action-oriented, spies-saving-the-world plot, but the mysteries are still easily solved by kids who've been paying attention.
In SHAGGY AND SCOOBY-DOO GET A CLUE, Shaggy (voiced by Scott Menville) has inherited billions from his brilliant scientist uncle, who's missing -- presumably on the run from his Dr. Evil-esque rival, Dr. Phibes. Uncle Albert's latest formula has been hidden in the recipe for Scooby snacks, which now give Scooby (Frank Welker) pretty much unlimited powers -- until he burps. The intrepid pair must hide the formula, evade Dr. Phibes' evil minions, and search for Uncle Albert.
This series is good fun and there's plenty of good, broad humor that works for most age groups.The animation is different from that of the earlier incarnations; here, it's been given the feel of a graphic novel.
One of the old show's greatest strengths -- the goofy musical chase montage -- stays strong, and it's always easy enough to follow the clues and solve the mystery. This is the rare show that works for most of the cartoon-watching part of the family, although even the mild violence is too much for the youngest viewers.
Families can talk about how this take on Shaggy and Scooby compares to the original. Do you even miss Fred, Daphne, and Velma? (How about the animated celebrity guest stars?)
Was it more fun when the gang unmasked a different villain in every
episode, or is it better that the guys now just have a single nemesis?
| Topics: | friendship, monsters, ghosts, and vampires |
| TV rating: | TV-Y7 |
| Network: | CW |
| Cast: | Frank Welker, Mindy Cohn, Scott Menville |
| Genre: | Kids' Animation |