The Mystery Incorporated gang, composed of Scooby, Shaggy, Velma, Daphne and Fred, are pros at solving problems. And, as most of them see it, there’s no such thing as monsters. Everything, and I mean everything, has a logical explanation.
So when a bunch of pumpkins turn into evil jack-o’-lanterns and destroy the town of Crystal Cove at the hands of the diabolical Dr. Jonathan Crane, aka Scarecrow, Velma the brains of the group, doesn’t worry. She’s sure to find a scientific explanation for how pumpkins are suddenly flying about, terrorizing citizens and targeting Mystery Inc.
The only problem is that Velma can’t find any scientific theory behind these haunted happenings, and time is running short. Even though she’s tempted to crack this conundrum on her own, she’ll need to rely on famous scientist Bill Nye; local scare queen Elvira, Mistress of the Dark; and, of course, her friends to find out what’s really going on this Halloween.
The Mystery Inc. gang helps to save citizens, dispel fear and solve mysteries around Crystal Cove. They also exude confidence and are brave in scary situations.
Velma apologizes to Scooby and Shaggy for not believing them, and she tells her friends that she depends on them more than on her own mind and scientific research. Velma chooses to save a villain at her own expense.
Bill Nye saves Scooby and the gang by giving them a high-tech van to fight off the pumpkins.
Mysterious toxic waste pours onto a pumpkin patch, and pumpkins come alive and attack citizens. They use their seemingly magical powers to haunt and hurt people. Scarecrow, the leader of said pumpkins, mysteriously floats in the air as if he possesses magical powers.
Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, twists her head to reveal her face on one side and an evil alien head on the other. She also makes multiple references to ghosts and Halloween as a haunted night.
Characters wear scary Halloween costumes (vampires, witches) and carry around creepy balloons at a Halloween parade. The pumpkins are likened to “zombie pumpkins.”
A few animated female characters wear crop tops and one wears a cleavage-baring top. Freddy goes shirtless in one scene. Velma says she could figuratively kiss Shaggy for his help in solving a problem.
When seemingly evil pumpkins come to life, Scooby and the gang work together to smash, squish and splatter them to smithereens.
Scarecrow is an infamous villain and escapee from Arkham Asylum (of D.C. Comics fame), and he’s wanted for crimes across the United States. He vows to plunge Crystal Cove “into terror.”
Citizens scream and run in fright as pumpkins smash and destroy the town, setting their homes and cars ablaze. A few buildings and cars explode, and evil pumpkins cause the earth to open and swallow up entire buildings. These same pumpkins eat innocent civilians and then take on the identity of the people they consume.
Characters use the phrase “oh my gosh” and the word “dumb” a few times each.
None.
Elvira says most villains are just “creeps with bad gas.” Velma makes Scooby and Shaggy feel bad for being frightened.
Scooby-Doo and the gang have been investigated spooky mysteries since 1969, but that hasn’t stopped producers and directors from dishing out new angles on this classic animated franchise.
Happy Halloween, Scooby-Doo! is a fast-paced, action-packed flick, filled with mild violence, scary scenes and creepy creatures. There’s definitely enough fright here to ward off the littlest of viewers, or those who might be sensitive to ominous imagery.
But like virtually most Scooby-Doo adventures, the point is for Velma and her friends to uncover mysteries and prove to themselves, as well as everyone around them, that monsters aren’t real.
Kristin Smith joined the Plugged In team in 2017. Formerly a Spanish and English teacher, Kristin loves reading literature and eating authentic Mexican tacos. She and her husband, Eddy, love raising their children Judah and Selah. Kristin also has a deep affection for coffee, music, her dog (Cali) and cat (Aslan).
