Scooby-Doo! au pays des pharaons

This is the best Scooby-Doo movie without a doubt. All others are quick to dismiss this as another scooby doo clone, but do not acknowledge this blasphemy. It is without a doubt the most enthralling and action packed movie ever conceived from the scooby doo franchise, perhaps every other movie as well. From the scorpion fights to the mysterious delves to the deep of the sphinx, there is never a dull moment in this animated epic. It has classic villains creepy bugs and critters, to a mysterious benefactor that slowly turns protagonists to stone. The ending is a surprise no one could have seen coming and proved to be a jaw-dropping moment. This movie represents the pinnacle of animated movies, there cannot be one greater than this. It is the will of Ascubus!

Okay, we understand that a Scooby-Doo mystery is not going to be in the same league as a Citizen Kane mystery. But Scooby has good movies and bad movies just like any other Mega-Star. I'm pleased to say that Where's My Mummy is in the former category.

Velma is assisting an archaeological dig in Egypt (on the Sphinx no less) when she finds a mysterious necklace which could be the key to Cleopatra's lost treasure. I've never heard of such treasure, but for the sake of the movie, we'll pretend it exists. The rest of the Mystery Inc. gang turn up to visit her but the site is promptly taken over by Amelia von Butch (Christine Baranski), a gun-ho Lara Croft-type and her band of cohorts.

Despite warnings of ancient curses she forces the Mystery Inc. gang and an obnoxious reality-TV host (Jeremy Piven) to enter the tomb with her to solve it's secrets and find the treasure. Immediately setting-off traps, Shaggy and Scooby are separated from the rest of the gang (not on purpose for a change) and get involved in their own mystery of a deranged Hotep (Ron Pearlman) and his followers who worship a strange God known as Scoobis and his servant Shagman.

Both stories are kept lively and entertaining until they merge into one. There's not a moment of boredom and, as usual, a couple of cool original songs too. But sadly, no new version of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You at all. To compare it with similar films like Indiana Jones, Tomb Raider or even The Goonies would be pointless. Yes, we've seen this kind of thing before but animation is a medium that present more opportunities than live-action and there's loads of inventive set-pieces and imaginative locations that have become the standard of modern Scooby-Doo outings.

And what do you know? It even manages to provide a rather surprising twist at the end. We know it's far-fetched and unbelievable as always, but it ties together pretty well, thus making the film a little bit better a little bit more.

As long as their is imagination behind this franchise, Scooby-Doo could go on forever. He may deliver a few duds from time to time (Monster of Mexico was extremely crap after all) but he still a very important character in modern animation and will always come out on top if we believe in him.

Or am I taking this too seriously?

Zombie Island is simply the best of the new movies brought out by Cartoon Network. The worst of the lot was that trash with Aussie Vampires. But to each's own. I enjoyed this new addition for what it was. There is nothing new or noteworthy -- but there doesn't really have to be surprises every movie. Most of the comfort in these straight to videos comes from those involved. Hearing the old gang's voices has such a calming effect that if the writing is just average, it's okay because the voice talent is what carries the production to a new level.

Last outing in Aloha Scooby-Doo, we had Teri Garr, Adam West and even Don Ho.This time it is the fabulous Virginia Madsen playing Cleo. Half the fun of these new movies is spotting (hearing) well-known talent. From Mark Hamill, Tim Curry to Jennifer Love-Hewitt. Scooby-Doo is forever. Now if, you'll excuse me I have to get a Scooby snack.

Could be worse.

the jokes about the over-the-top reality TV shows are sooooo worth the price of admission. Especially if you are like me and inclined to hate them for the forced drama and, well, the horrible taste of them all.

It's nice to see Scooby mocking them.

The Problem is Egypt. It wasn't exactly Egypt enough. It felt like just about anywhere else and Egypt is sort of a really big deal for a van full of American teens to visit.

Instead it felt more like an establishing shot and the old west. Very lazy for Scooby Doo.

The plus side is that the mystery is solid and the jokes landed, even if it did all feel a bit lack luster.

I won't go to say this is the best of the Scooby Doo movies, but it was a very good watch. The animation is very bright and colourful, and the score and songs were quite catchy and memorable. The story has its predictable parts admittedly, but I loved the twist which was different and I certainly wouldn't have guessed it. The film moves quickly, though some of it particularly in the build up towards the climax was a little rushed. The dialogue is very humorous and fun, while the characters are likable and the sound effects decent. The voice acting is excellent on the whole. Frank Welker doesn't have that much to do as Scooby sadly, but Casey Kasem is a hoot as Shaggy, while Christine Baranski is very effective, Oded Fehr does a good job with a nice character and Ron Perlman is fun. The best of the lot comes from Virginia Madsen who is just brilliant as Cleopatra. She doesn't have as much to do, but she is both sinister and mysterious. All in all, a fun Scooby Doo film. 7/10 Bethany Cox