Scooby-Doo! Abracadabra-Doo

Were they going for a scary sorta Vegas style harry Potter Parody here? I'm an adult, so I can't be sure---well, unless you talk to my family, co-workers, or girlfriend I'm an adult--so i can't be sure, but I think there was even a "Lord of Illusions" reference here. It's a kids film, but I'm pretty sure I was it.

Anyway, the plot at heart is total Scooby Gang. The knock-off Hogwarts is fun. It's just an enjoyable film...even if it's a film that sits so odd, watching it as an adult and expecting a child's cartoon.

Lately, I NEVER buy these direct to DVD, factory-produced, pandering Scooby titles that get distributed to dumbed-down drooling kids at Wal-Mart. I was totally finished when I watched...*shudders*..."Aloha, Scooby Doo" a few years back. I could name a few other titles in a LONG run of BAD Scooby Doo features, but I digress. I don't know what possessed me, but I bought "Scooby Doo: Abracadabra Doo" at Wal-Mart tonight. I and my friend watched it expecting a sub-par experience. First, let me say...IT HAD A FREAKING CREDIT SEQUENCE WITH AN ENTIRELY NEW THEME SONG THAT WAS REMINISCENT OF THE GOOFY 70's POP FLUFF THAT PLAYED IN THE ORIGINAL SHOW!!! Then, if that weren't enough to catch my attention, they brought the character style all the way back to the 70's, by leaving NO whites in their eyes and choosing to richly shadow and detail their appearance. There was a wealth of camera angles, zoom shots, and random motion keeping your attention constantly. The backgrounds were extremely detailed. And there were many references to previous Scooby images or incarnations.

As for the plot, dialogue, and character development...A giant leap in the right direction! The plot could have stood a little bit of work, but suspense and gorgeous animation make up for this. Character development between the Mystery 5 was brought to new depths and Scooby himself was even included in this. I also appreciated the knowing jabs that Shaggy made about "those meddling kids". I loved the inclusion of the smart-aleck GPS. It was just the modern boost that the Mystery Machine needed. The choice to have Andrea Romano of "Batman: The Animated Series" fame do the voice casting was excellent. Matthew Lillard did a fine job voicing Shaggy and Frank Welker was great as Scooby Doo.

Overall, this is just the shot in the arm that the Scooby industry needed. This cartoon has plenty of atmosphere, depth, and slick animation to hold up for many years...long after "Aloha", "Lochness Monster", "Goblin King", "Chill Out", and "Samurai Sword" have mercifully passed from our memory. Maybe next time...we can get an outing that is boldly dark and creepy...with real ghosts again. Great effort Warner Premiere. Keep up the good work.

I actually enjoyed this Scooby movie. It included some of the fun I love seeing. The magic school concept is fun. I also loved how Shaggy wanted to be the brave hero this time around. Sure it was boring at parts but the new Shaggy voice is terrific. Plus many of the voice actors/actresses were great in their roles. The plot moved along well and didn't lag. Overall, it's just a fun time and probably won't be a favorite.

For as long as I can remember I have been a big fan of Scooby Doo. Scooby Doo Where are You? is still one of my favourites, as is the Scooby Doo Show. The incarnations after have been mixed, the recent Mystery Incorporated was much better than expected, 13 Ghosts of Scooby Doo, A Pup Named Scooby Doo and New Scooby Doo Mysteries were decent, while the Scooby and Scrappy Doo Show was disappointing(at least the ones with half the gang missing and Scrappy, at his most annoying, dominating most of the episodes) and I can't stand Shaggy and Scooby Doo:Get a Clue! Overall,

I have really liked most of the movies, my favourites being Witch's Ghost, Goblin King and Zombie Island, I liked Alien Invaders, Chill Out Scooby Doo and Loch Ness Monster, I didn't mind the live-action ones personally, while Ghoul's School, Legend of the Vampire and Reluctant Werewolf were much better on re-watch. Monster of Mexico I personally find on the weak side.

Abracadabra Doo!(getting back on target) is thankfully one of the better Scooby Doo movies. The plot could have done with more work and is rather slow in places, but the idea was great, the final solution interesting and a lot of scenes entertaining thanks to the dialogue and jokes, which are some of the better ones(both in writing and delivery) of any Scooby Doo movie.

The music is catchy and memorable, both the funky tunes and the atmospheric incidental music, and the voice acting is spot on with Matthew Lillard, a worthy replacement for Casey Kasem(and in all honesty he did have big shoes to fill), being very likable as well as goofy being the biggest surprise. But what I loved most was the animation, while it has some of the What's New Scooby Doo? look, which I find quite nice it also has a bit of the classic Scooby Doo! Where Are You? style, which I appreciated and loved.

Overall, a very entertaining movie and one of Scooby's better outings. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Oddly enough it wasn't before late in 2019 that I was given the chance to sit down and watch the 2010 animated "Scooby-Doo! Abracadabra-Doo" movie together with my son. And given my sons admiration for Scooby-Doo, I of course sat down to watch it with him.

Turns out that "Scooby-Doo! Abracadabra-Doo" is actually one of the better animated movies in a long time, right up along side with the zombie island adventure.

Why? Well, sure this 2010 animated movie does follow the blueprint that every single Scooby-Doo adventure movie is built from, but hey that is part of the charm of the franchise. But also because this movie just appealed more to me given its contents and because of the creatures in the adventure.

And with the likes of Frank Welker, Matthew Lillard, Grey Griffin and Mindy Cohn returning to reprise the loveable characters then you know you are in good hands. And the group had some other pretty good voice actors alongside to perform with them, such as James Patrick Stuart, John DiMaggio and Brian Posehn.

The animation and art style is loveable and very much something you'd be familiar with if you have seen any of the numerous Scooby-Doo animated movies ever.

I was more than genuinely entertained with "Scooby-Doo! Abracadabra-Doo" and if you enjoy these animated Scooby-Doo adventures, then you definitely have to sit down and watch this 2010 addition to the franchise.