Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins [Blu-Ray]

With the theatrical Scooby-Doo franchise dying off, given that Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. are well into their 30s, Warner has turned their attention to the DVD market with this, an origin story for the gang synonymous with Scooby-snacks and the expository unmasking of villains. Their union hinges on an unlikely Breakfast Club detention meeting wherein ghostly hijinks force them to solve a mystery together to clear their collective name. While Velma (Hayley Kiyoko) handles all things brainy, Fred (Robbie Arnell) acts as the de facto leader for the flaky Daphne (Kate Melton) and the perpetually stoned Shaggy (Nick Palatas). The puzzle perplexing the plucky youngsters involves aggressive ghosts vandalizing Coolsville High, when not scaring Shaggy's newly adopted dog, Scooby-Doo. Initially, budget limitations, amateur performances and a lazy aesthetic make this particularly diversion difficult to watch. There is also an awkward sensibility afloat, as Velma inexplicably brings the same science project to school every day and characters respond strangely to straightforward questions. Eventually, this feeling passes when it becomes clear that the reason for this off-centre feeling is that this film is actually just being extremely loyal to the original cartoon. Ghosts inhabit mannequins, following the Scooby gang around while they explore, characters dress up as garbage cans and Shaggy dons a gas mask while Scooby farts. It all makes sense, in a referential context, but seems incredibly stilted in a live-action format. Perhaps children won't notice. The Blu-Ray includes a digital copy of the film for those keen on mobile viewing convenience, in addition to a variety of supplements. A pop-up component of cast factoids is available, as well as a "Coolsville High School Yearbook," where the characters reveal life ambitions. A gag reel and Anarbour music video provide minor amusement, while a Scooby personality quiz tells us which character we are. I am apparently Velma ― jinkies.