The poor Mystery, Inc. gang never can catch a break… even when they’re on vacation in Atlantic City. No matter where they’re headed, monsters and mayhem seem to find them. 43 years after his first appearance, Scooby-Doo still has a nose for mysteries. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment gives fans of the crime fighting canine and his ever youthful sidekicks a new feature length animated movie entitled “Big Top Scooby-Doo!”
The circus ringleader of the Brancusi Circus reaches out to the Scooby gang for help after a werewolf attacks attendees of the greatest show on Earth. The hairy beast has a healthy appetite for jewelry. Mystery Inc. must solve the mystery by joining the circus. Daphne the clown, Fred the trapeze artist, Velma the human rocket, ringmaster Shaggy, and trick dog Scooby-Doo must discover the truth behind the thieving wolf man and bring him to justice.
“Big Top Scooby-Doo!” is an entertaining and satisfying entry into the talking dog’s adventures. It has to be a challenge to come up with original concepts and ideas for an animated franchise that’s been around as long as Hanna-Barbera’s Scooby-Doo. You’d think every mystery and creepy caper under the sun has been exploited by now.
Somehow, the creative teams for these straight-to-DVD movies continue to churn out fresh stories or well-disguised recycled ones that play off as new. Kids and their parents continue to buy and watch them, guaranteeing that we’ll have no shortage of Scooby on DVD or TV in the near future.
For those who don’t keep up, there are basically three different Scooby-Doo universes. There’s the live-action world with its own flair and cast of characters. “Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated” has the group solving mysteries in their hometown of Crystal Cove, which is a haven of esoteric activity.
“Big Top Scooby-Doo” falls into the last universe which is the original started in 1969. There’s no Shaggy / Velma dating awkwardness, wacky parents, bumbling sheriffs, or diabolical talking birds to wade through. This is the good old-fashioned Scooby we all grew up on and love.
The Blu-ray + DVD combo pack of “Big Top Scooby-Doo!” features three bonus episodes including ones from “Scooby-Doo! Where Are You?” and “Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated.” They add another 70 minutes of value to this first class Blu-ray release from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.
Fans of Scooby-Doo will love this 18th entry in the franchise. “Big Top Scooby-Doo!” is the perfect choice for a family movie night. It will appeal to viewers young and old. It’s definitely recommended for your Halloween viewing list.
For more articles by Eric Shirey, check out:
DVD Review: “Scooby-Doo! Laff-A-Lympics: Spooky Games”
‘Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, Season 1, Part 2’ Gets Fans Ready for Season 2
‘Scooby-Doo! Legend of the Phantosaur’ Blu-ray/DVD Movie Review
