YankeeDood

It's just a spoof of the original cartoon. The hipster producers don't realize when you make fun of the original elements that made Scooby great, you are left with a pile of nothingness and that is what Mystery Incorporated really is - a pile of nothingness.

The only thing creepy about MI is the ridiculous hipster aura contained in every episode. I shiver when Velma talks about Shaggy "Rocking the burgers."

Also, what is up with Fred becoming a cry baby and romance developing between everyone except Scooby? I roll my eyes every time Daphne flirts with Fred or Velma flirts with Shaggy because it's very distracting and even nauseating to sit through. None of these characters were like this in the original show, fortunately.

Finally, I cringe when the families of these high school sleuths are profiled because they are all super wealthy and bring you a new image of the gang as being nothing more that spoiled brats solving crimes just to have something to do when private school is closed.

This series is very forgettable as are all Scooby's made after 1990. In my opinion, the original Casey Kasem as Shaggy episodes will never lose their spooky charm because Scooby belongs in the 70's and that's where the show maintains its nostalgic attraction (especially that flower power van!). If that makes me old school, then I'm proud of it! R.I.P. Casey Kasem

I saw this today at a "early bird" matinée which cost $8.00. Gee, I can only imagine what the normal ticket price is! Anyway, I went in thinking this would be a truer version of the Charles Dicken's 1843 novel as promised by the director. Well, I was disappointed with that end of it. Many scenes and words from the book are left out (i.e. when Scrooge ate dinner after closing his office Christmas Eve before going home). Because the movie obviously focuses more on 3D special effects than on characters and story, so we are left with little to take interest in more than the overdone zaniness which James Carey is well known for. But even the eye opening effects got annoying in parts. When Scrooge shrinks up and flies through tunnels and crashes into icicles, I thought it would never evolve into the next scene, until finally it did (by the way, this scene also is definitely not in the book). Now, I did love "The Polar Express" which Robert Zemeckis also directed. But unlike "A Christmas Carol", the effects blended in nicely with holiday nostalgia and a winning soundtrack. I barely recall hearing that much Christmas music in this movie other than hints of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen". So Zemeckis just didn't pull me in with as much holiday spirit this time around. But overall, at least this animated version is cute and I'm sure kids will eat up all the wild effects. So it makes a decent family outing, but I wouldn't go beyond that. For me, and many others, the champion of all versions of "A Christmas Carol" remains the one made in 1951. Alastair Sim's emotional performance is one tough act to follow, so I doubt any other version will ever top it. Some believe Sim owns the role and the more overly-anxious actors I see playing the old miser, the more I tend to agree.

Must admit this is a finer effort by Zombie. Michael is definitely more creepy and the visuals are much more stunning in this sequel (especially in the parts when we see Micheal's deceased mother and himself as a child). My remaining complaint is the acting. Scout Taylor Compton tends to over act in some parts and under act in others, making her role as Laurie Strode quite annoying. Plus, although I've always admired Brad Douriff and Malcolm McDowell, I got the feeling their ages didn't match their roles. When they became dramatic, I almost felt they were having a stroke! Finally, I still can't figure out when this series takes place. Is it in the 70's, 80's, or now? I do know some of the fashions are definitely exclusive to now, like the overdone tattooing. Oh, and this sequel continues the redneck foo, two of whom were almost as sadistic as Michael. But fortunately they got put in their place after a wicked attack on the hulking Michael (He does seem to be supernatural in this one). Now back to what I did like about the movie. I'm glad Rob brought in more of the original John Carpenter music, I even heard an updated version of "Laurie's Theme" which is always chilling to hear. No, these "re-imaginings" are not even close to the original Halloween, which is my favorite horror movie, but Rob appears to be learning from his mistakes little by little. So if you want to see one eerie and gory horror movie with plenty of rain to top it off, I recommend H2. But you prefer to avoid boredom, stay away from H1. Now, I just wonder what Rob has in store for Halloween 3, dare I ask?