Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster

The show clearly aims to entertain rather than to educate, but the story does include some surprisingly positive messages about friendship, communication, and teamwork.

Overall the teens are a good bunch and form a productive team despite their vastly different personalities. The show’s discourse on relationships emphasizes how different they are (Fred and Daphne disagree on the seriousness of their relationship, for instance), but a high point of the movie is the maturity with which the four teens resolve this lingering -- and potentially uncomfortable --  issue at the story’s end.

A subplot explores developing love interests between Fred and Daphne, and Shaggy and Velma. Each relationship is mostly innocent -- and punctuated with one kiss apiece -- but problems arise when Fred wants to “play the field” and Daphne’s ready for something more serious. Both parties are shown flirting with other teens, which sparks jealousy in the one left out. In one scene, the characters sing a song about wanting to “spoon.” In another, Fred walks around shirtless.

The movie is part of a huge franchise that includes multiple animated series and a host of other movies (both animated and live action), as well as nearly every conceivable toy, game, and accessory. The story concludes with the mystery gang renaming themselves “Mystery Incorporated,” which is also the name of the most recent installment in the Scooby cartoons.