It isn't all that great, actually. Really cheesy and very predicable of how certain scenes are gonna turn play out. However, I guess that's the charm of it all, because I would consider this one of my guilty pleasures.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

In terms of direct to video films, I honestly don't think any franchise has had more than Scooby-Doo. Yep, not even "The Land Before Time" in all its infamy. Many of these direct to video films are in fact genuinely good. I'm not the biggest Scooby-Doo fan, but can appreciate them. Initially, these movies abandoned the series formula by having them fight real monsters. Eventually, that became formulaic so this movie features a return to the original formula. This movie features a villain known as the Phantom terrorizing a talent show. I have to tell you how it ends.Or rather the sheer number of times it seems to end. It turns out there are a total of FIVE Phantoms (people in disguise) in the whole movie so I had no idea when this film would end. I did like how they managed to keep up the anticipation but it did get annoying. The animation is quite nice. I like how we get some good buildup with Fred and Daphne's relationship. After messing with us for a bit, they outright say they're attracted to each other although in the end it's still not quite resolved. This is a fun little movie even if it's not great. ***

1 and 1 is 2, 6 and 2 is 8, come on baby don't you make me late....Oh, can I really title this "An Honest Review" when it takes place in my city? Yeah? You don't approve of it? Well you're not from Chicago.I love, in all caps, I LOVE the part at the start where Velma is reading off all the attractions in Chicago and Scooby and Shaggy are more interested in our pizza than anything else. Now if they threw in a hotdog joke to match the scene at the Pizza Parlor than I would be on cloud 9....Baby don't you wanna go...Anyway, the parody of American Idol works from a humor perspective, it is really funny and you combine that with the pathological director, the reference to the Phantom of the opera and Disco and, well, you have one seriously funny installment...And one that takes place in my sweet home, so...represent.The only down side is that, yet again, the ending is a "meh." Almost like Scooby Doo just doesn't know how to end its movies. Not that it matters, the build up is enough to make it enjoyable.

All the Scooby Doo films are at least watchable, Witch's Ghost, Zombie Island, Goblin King and Big Top Scooby Doo being my favourites and Monster of Mexico faring the least. Scooby Doo! Stage Fright will not disappoint any fan of Scooby Doo. The final solution has neat twists and is very unexpected but it also a little rushed and maybe with too much going on, and Daphne and Grey DeLisle voicing her did at times come across as too ditsy. However the animation is great, very detailed backgrounds and atmospheric colours that are reminiscent of classic Scooby Doo as well as modern. The music is appropriately spooky and catchy with a terrifically funky opening theme. The writing is a delight in Scooby Doo! Stage Fright, the humour is very reminiscent of classic Scooby Doo, goofy but also very endearing too. The rest of the writing is to the point and doesn't try to be too complicated- it may seem confusing looking up/reading the plot, when watching the film though confusing it is not- or too simplistic. The story is diverting, with some action that is the very meaning of exhilarating and a mystery that while a bit "here there, done that" (to be honest that's not uncommon for Scooby) that is creepy, charmingly goofy and keep-you-guessing-quality throughout. From the comedy, the mystery elements, characterisations and the sound effects Scooby Doo! Stage Fright has that classic Scooby Doo feel in terms of writing and story except with more twists and turns, and for me that was part of the film's appeal. The Fred/Daphne subplot does not slow things down, in fact it does bring some dimension to the story, while Scooby and Shaggy's friendship is as charming as ever. The characters are neatly set up, are relevant to the story and fit nicely into it, Shaggy and Scooby are definitely the best characters but Velma is much more likable than she was in some of the previous outings. The voice cast is spot on (especially from Matthew Lillard, who is note-perfect as Shaggy, he had big shoes to fill and has done so admirably), with only DeLisle disappointing slightly, John O'Hurley is a little underutilised as well. Overall, very entertaining and Scooby fans will find much to enjoy here.

Fred & Daphne are finalists for a famous talent show in Chicago, hosted by Brick Pimiento. They are up against an overzealous teenage singer named Crissy, a freaky woman named Lotte, and a talented violin player named Emma Gale. Not is all as it seems. A phantom is terrorizing the talent show, demanding that a woman named Christine win the show. It's up to the Mystery gang to solve the mystery, and find out if there is any credence to these haunting from the Phantom, but will Fred & Daphne be able to focus?I actually quite liked this for what it was. I've been a Scooby fan for most of my life, so I'll watch anything that involves Scooby Doo. I was bored the other night, and figured what the hell? It transcended my low expectations. The voices are altered quite a bit from the days of "Scooby Doo, Where Are You?" They are adequate. Frank Welker returns to do the voice of Freddy. Matthew Lillard plays Scooby in the two movies they did, and it was a good choice to bring him back for an animated movie. He does Shaggy well. The animations are impressive, and do the original characters justice. The mystery itself isn't as easy as one may think. As much as I love Scooby Doo, Where Are You? The villains were usually a cinch to figure out. Not in this one they aren't. This episode is very gutsy, throwing in more twists and turns than a violent tornado in Tennessee. It did get a bit old after a while, but I have to give them credit for trying something new. It wasn't all that predictable, that's for sure. It even takes digs towards the usual clichés "Yeah, yeah. We know, If it wasn't for those meddling kids and that dog" Never fear. The gags deliver. There are many funny moments, but Scooby and Shaggy chowing down on a gargantuan pizza is my highlight. Fred & Daphne have a love storyline going on here. This was never explored in the T.V series, and I actually dug that. Daphne being love struck over Fred was very cute. It took me by surprise. My only complaint is that even at just over 70 minutes, it feels padded and overlong. I'm not sure if Scooby material is meant to be longer than 30 minutes or so. P.S stay tuned for the end credits. There is some funny stuff you don't wanna miss. Final Thoughts: This was a cute time waster. If you're a Scooby fan, you're bound to get some smiles and chuckles out of this. It's worth a look for sure. I'm definitely gonna check out more Scooby movies6.7/10