Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004)

Following on from the critically panned but commercially successful first film, comes this more ambitious sequel.

Kicking off with a set piece that would have worked well in a Batman movie, the members of Mystery Inc. have to find out who is bringing to life some of their old foes, whilst having to deal with some unwanted press attention.

Whilst the film opened well, I was a little annoyed to see that the script (co-incidentaly written by Dawn of the Dead scribe James Gunn) once again tackled the idea that the members of Mystery Inc. are nothing without one another and highlighted their various feelings of inadequecy. Guys...you are too cool for skool!! Get over it already!!

The film had two very unwelcome uses of product placement (guess what you'll be getting free with kids meals at KFC) and I can just imagine all the merchandise that will soon be hitting stores including the tops worn by Fred and Shaggy.

Everyone was once again very good and you do feel that the characters have evolved a little since the first film, despite their insecurities.

I actually really enjoyed Freddie Prinze Jr's performance, and Linda Cardellini was lots of fun too!! Sarah Michelle Gellar gave Daphne even more girl power this time around and had an excellent fight sequence, that puts 'Charlie's Angels' to shame, hell she even manages to top her own work in the previous film!!

The ghosts are well executed and the locations and lighting are again excellent as was Scooby Doo himself!!

My main complaint is that this time around, the villain's identity is far too easy to guess and despite the attempt at a twist, the ending was still a little lacking.

OVERALL SUMMARY
A very entertaining and good film, but this time it's definitely more for the kids, although there is a clever little reference involving Shaggy's fans at the film's opening.