Arriving on digital download today in the UK and the US is the animated movie, Scooby-Doo! and Krypto, Too!. The film is the latest entry in the ever-popular Scooby-Doo movie series, which this time sees everyone’s favourite Great Dane team-up with Superman’s canine companion, Krypto.
Directed by Cecilia Aranovich, the movie features the vocal talents of Frank Welker, Matthew Lillard, Grey Griffin, Kate Micucci, Nolan North, Tara Strong, and Charles Halford. The family-friendly film sees Scoob and the gang called in to help on a case involving the disappearance of the Justice League, leading to one big crossover with the DC Universe.
In the movie, the League has vanished without a trace, the Hall of Justice stands empty, and things are not looking good for the city of Metropolis. With no Superman, no Batman, and no Wonder Woman to fight crime, Metropolis has become overrun by various villains including the Joker, Solomon Grundy, and General Zod.
But none of these villains seem responsible for the disappearance of the League. Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane and photographer Jimmy Olsen believe a mysterious ‘Phantom’ is to blame and needs some help to uncover the truth.
Calling in assistance from Jimmy’s old friend, Daphne Blake, as well as the rest of Mystery Inc., it’s not long before Scoob and Co. are hot on the trail of the Phantom in an attempt to solve this puzzling problem. But with so many supervillains around, even Mystery Inc. are out of their depths, which means they need some additional aid from Superman’s dog, Krypto!
So, here’s the thing: The great thing about Warner Bros.’ long-running collection of Scooby-Doo movies is that all of the direct-to-home video titles that have been released since the late ’90s are pretty consistent in terms of quality. So many of these films have been made now, that everyone involved has learned what works and what doesn’t, resulting in a series of enjoyable and entertaining pictures which can work for Scooby fans of all ages.
And I’m pleased to say, Scooby-Doo! and Krypto, Too! is essentially more of the same. It is yet another mystery-filled romp, which is very likeable, and perfect for the young, or those who are still young at heart.
There’s nothing in this movie which is going to offend anyone, there’s nothing which is going to lead to major disappointment, and there’s no dropping the ball when it comes to maintaining the Scooby-Doo legacy. There’s simply colourful characters, plenty of adventure, and a good number of gags peppered throughout – including a humorous exchange which highlights Lois Lane’s inability to recognise people when they remove their glasses.
As this is a DC-themed Scooby picture, Scooby-Doo! and Krypto, Too! is also a lot of fun for comic book fans. The movie contains a number of in-jokes and nods to the wider DCU, making reference to the likes of Super Friends, Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Movie, and even Lex Luthor’s short-run as President of the United States.
In fact, there’s lots of DC indulgence going on in here, so expect to see Wonder Woman’s invisible plane, Batman’s utility belt, and the bottle city of Kandor thrown into the mix too. Oh, and of course there’s Superman’s heroic hound, Krypto, who also plays a big part in the film.
However, if I have one criticism of Scooby-Doo! and Krypto, Too!, it’s the simple fact that Krypto isn’t all that great in the movie. The character feels more of an afterthought than a co-star, largely because he lacks personality, and this is the movie’s only real misstep.
Krypto has had a bit of a renaissance as of late, including his recent appearance in the big screen animated film DC League of Super-Pets, so it’s nice to see him get some well-deserved exposure. It’s just a shame this film doesn’t do him justice, and he could do with a dash more charisma.
But the Krypto-shaped issue aside, Scooby-Doo! and Krypto, Too! is heaps of fun. The voice cast is excellent, especially Charles Halford as Lex Luthor; the animation is suitably vibrant; and the action sequences during the finale are great.
Warner Bros. has managed to blend the Scooby-Doo Universe and the DC Universe together seamlessly and they continued to excel when it comes to straight-to-home video Scooby stories. If you or you’re kids are a fan of this particular dog and his mystery-solving friends, you will want to check out this latest adventure.
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Thank you for taking the time to read this review on It’s A Stampede!. For more reviews, check out the recommended reads below.
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