Rating 2½
Directed by Raja Gosnell
Written by James Gunn, based on the characters created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera
Starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr, Matthew Lillard, Linda Cardellini, Alicia Silverstone, Seth Green and Peter Boyle
The second ‘Scooby Doo’ film went on general release in America in March 2004. It failed to perform as well as the studio had anticipated, but still grossed $181 million at the box office. However, with a production budget thought to have been as high as $80 million and with a box office take $100 million short of the first film, it was deemed in some quarters to have been a flop. Having said this, to claim that ‘Scooby Doo 2’ was a box office disaster, as some have suggested, is, I think, stretching the truth just a little bit.Sarah Michelle Gellar was very quick to announce that she would not be involved in a third film. She also seemed very half-hearted during her promotional duties, happier to enthuse about her time in Japan and how she was really excited about ‘The Grudge’. Subsequently, she has been very specific about saying that she was contractually obligated to make a second ‘Scooby Doo’ film, but now that she no longer has a commitment to a TV show she has greater freedom to pick and choose her film roles, allowing her to pursue more off-beat, quirky projects that really interest her. However, she did fly over to Britain to attend the London premiere.
What do I think of ‘Scooby Doo 2’? In truth, it has very little to recommend it. What we get is one noisy, special effect laden set piece after another. Matthew Lillard was great fun to watch in the first film, but he does become a little bit irritating here at times. It isn’t a particular good film, but it’s harmless fun and I still like it.
What can I say; I’m a sucker for Sarah Michelle Gellar films!
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