Scooby-Doo! au pays des pharaons

Scooby-Doo: Where's My Mummy (2005)

** (out of 4)

Scooby and the gang travel to Egypt where they run into a (gasp) mummy. Out of the three films I've watched from this series I'd say this one here is the best but it's still rather disappointing compared to the original show. Since I wasn't too impressed with any of these I've went on and deleted the other four titles from my DVR. This one here features the best animation work as well as some nice vocals. The mummy looks very good but once again the actual mystery is pretty lame.

Stick with the original cartoon.

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.

My son adores Scooby-Doo and I grew up with the cartoons, so of course I do sit down to watch all the Scooby-Doo animated movies with my son that we come across. The latest find turned out to be "Scooby-Doo in Where's My Mummy?"

And I must say that this was actually one of the better animated Scooby-Doo movies that I have seen in a while. And it is a combination of the setting of the adventure and my love for ancient Egypt that came together in a greater unity and worked out so well for me.

This time the gang travels to Egypt to assist Velma in her archaeological work in the Egyptian deserts. Here they run afoul mummies, curses and traps in abundance.

Sure, "Scooby-Doo in Where's My Mummy?" does follow the traditional formula of how to make a Scooby-Doo adventure. So you know what you are getting yourself into here prior to sitting down to watching it. And I say that with the best of intentions, because there is something fun and lovable about these adventures. And despite every adventure is essentially the same, they are still fun to watch.

The animation is good in "Scooby-Doo in Where's My Mummy?" and the art style is very much in tune with the classic Scooby-Doo. So again, there is something comforting in the familiarity.

I did like the mummies and the design of Cleopatra. And the overall atmosphere there was in this animated movie was just great.

It is always a treat to have Frank Welker, Casey Kasem, Mindy Cohn and Grey DeLisle. Furthermore, there were some other nice voice talents to showcase their skills in this animated movie, which included Ron Perlman and Oded Fehr.

The storyline in "Scooby-Doo in Where's My Mummy?", while very much the same as all other story lines in the Scooby-Doo collection, then there was still a very good plot twist reveal at the end of the movie. I liked that particular turn of events, because I hadn't seen that one coming.

If you enjoy Scooby-Doo animated movies, then "Scooby-Doo in Where's My Mummy?" is definitely well worth the time and effort to sit down and watch. I thoroughly enjoyed this particular adventure.

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

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.