This movie seems to be a favorite for many Sccoby-Doo! fans that grew up with it, and I completely understand why. It is extremely corny and silly, but it is so unashamedly so that that becomes part of its charm. And charming is the word that probably best describes this film. It is never laugh out loud funny, but it consistently puts a smile on my face regardless. Because of this, when you are a kid this movie can easily seem near perfect even if it is not.
The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo! is actually my favorite Scooby show and being from the 1980's this movie is very similar in spirit to that series. The gang is cut down to just Scooby, Shaggy and Scrappy (Daphne who was in 13 Ghosts is actually not here), the ghosts and monsters are real, there is an actually creepy villain and Shaggy is wearing a red shirt. These similarities make the film automatically appeal to me. The climax where Shaggy and SCooby try to save the girls is one of the most atmospheric and creepy moments in one of the Scooby-Doo! features and I respect that despite the silly and corny aspects of this movie the filmmakers were still able to put this much effort into making the film actually creepy (for a Scooby-Doo! movie that is). I also love the creative ideas like mirror monster that do not need to be in the movie but make the climax much more exciting. The ghoul girls that Scooby and Shaggy befriend are delightful. They manage to be sweet and cute but never be sickeningly so (something Hanna-Barbera didn't always do too well at this time) and while still keeping what makes them monsters. They also serve as tellers of corny puns and while these puns are unbelievably corny, there is no doubt that the filmmakers had a blast seeing how many corny puns they could come up with and that just adds to the fun of this movie.
To be fair this movie has its flaws. It is a bit overlong and could use a little trimming in some places. Also Scrappy Doo has a rap and that is as horrible as it sounds.
All in all this movie is fang-tastic
-Michael J. Ruhland
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