Scoob! Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Scoob!" provides an excellent 1080p HD transfer that faithfully captures the film's unique visual style, making it a solid choice for viewers with a modest setup. The 2K digital intermediate results in a smooth and vivid image, characterized by soft shapes and swaths of color, rather than heavily defined edges typical of higher-detail animations like those from Pixar. The animation boasts solid color saturation and varied hues, with occasional, minimal banding and compression artifacts. However, the transfer is not without its minor flaws, displaying a few instances of mild black crush and slight compression-related issues. Despite these, the overall image quality maintains a vibrant and engaging look.

In terms of visual fidelity compared to its 4K UHD counterpart, the Blu-ray version falls short in areas like color saturation, bit rate, and overall smoothness. The 4K edition's HDR capabilities offer sharper lines, richer colors, and enhanced detail, particularly noticeable in darker sequences where the Blu-ray doesn't quite match up. Nevertheless, for those not regularly indulging in 4K content, this Blu-ray transfer does an admirable job within its format limitations. Background details in various scenes such as the cityscape, carnival, bowling alley, and the climactic scene in Athens are particularly well-rendered, adding depth to the viewing experience. Despite its limitations, the Blu-ray of "Scoob!" delivers a commendable visual presentation that will satisfy most viewers.

The DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio presentation of "Scoob!" on Blu-ray, though missing a 7.1 mix or Dolby Atmos option, delivers an impressive auditory experience. The dialogue is exceptionally clear and primarily positioned front and center, with thoughtful utilization of surround channels for added immersion. Sound effects, such as those from the Mystery van and various paranormal activities, particularly shine through with robust dynamics, delivering ample bass that effectively enhances the overall soundscape. Key scenes, like Shaggy and Scooby's conversation in a bowling alley or Dick Dastardly's monologue in a large industrial space, exhibit varying degrees of sonic impressiveness, with a strong dynamic range consistently maintained throughout.

Environmental sounds play a crucial role, contributing to the mix's effectiveness. The finale in Athens stands out with its massive showdown, leveraging the full capabilities of the 5.1 track to fully engage the audience. Additionally, the original score and pop-infused soundtrack resonate powerfully across all channels, ensuring an enjoyable auditory experience from beginning to end. While this mix may not match the dazzling visuals in impressiveness, it undoubtedly suffices and keeps the viewer engaged without necessitating frequent adjustments to the volume.

Subtitles are available in various languages, including English (SDH) and Spanish, formatted to fit perfectly within the 2.39:1 frame without synchronization issues, thus enhancing accessibility and viewer comfort.

The Blu-ray disc of "Scoob!" offers a modest yet enjoyable range of extras. Although the offerings follow typical industry standards, some are certainly deserving of a watch. The bloopers offer amusing behind-the-scenes moments with the voice cast, although the segment might be more engaging if it showcased professional voice actors. The deleted scenes, presenting ten shorts in storyboard or animatic form, provide additional narrative insights not seen in the final cut. Director Tony Cervone's “How To Draw Scooby Doo” is a delightful tutorial for fans inclined towards animation. The featurette "New Friends, Newer Villains" provides an engaging introduction to both new and classic characters with insights from voice actors and crew members. Lastly, the brief but endearing "Puppies!!" shows voice actors interacting with puppies, adding a touch of charm.

Extras included in this disc:

• Bloopers: The voice actors mess up their lines, laugh, and provide some comical behind-the-scenes voice acting.
• Deleted Scenes: Ten total deleted/extended scenes not in their finished form.
• How To Draw Scooby Doo: Director Tony Cervone teaches how to illustrate the famous and lovable dog.
• New Friends, Newer Villains: Focuses on new characters with brief discussions with the voice actors.
• Puppies!!: Voice actors play with cute puppy dogs.

"Scoob!" marks the first fully animated theatrical release for the beloved Scooby-Doo franchise, yet it disappointingly falls short of its potential. Despite a promising start featuring a charming origin story of Scooby and Shaggy's friendship, the film quickly derails into a convoluted series of events. The plot is packed with disjointed scenarios, from UFO abductions to encounters with characters like Blue Falcon and Captain Caveman, which feel more like attempts to build a cinematic universe than to tell a coherent story. This is likely a consequence of having no fewer than five individuals credited with the story or screenplay, resulting in a narrative that seems pieced together by committee rather than a unified vision.

Moreover, the decision to substitute well-loved voice actors with celebrity guests detracts significantly from the viewing experience. While voices like Mark Wahlberg and Ken Jeong are serviceable, replacing established performers such as Matthew Lillard and Grey DeLisle with Will Forte and Amanda Seyfried is jarring for long-time fans. Even Frank Welker, a staple since 1969, returns only to voice Scooby, leaving Fred’s role to someone else. These choices only compound the movie’s identity crisis, further alienating its core audience.

A bright spot in this otherwise mediocre film is its impressive A/V quality. Regardless of whether you opt for the Blu-ray or the more robust 4K UHD combo pack, the visual and auditory presentation does not disappoint. The disc itself comes with a standard hard plastic blue case and an insert for a digital copy, making it a serviceable addition to any collection. Unfortunately, the lack of substantial extras suggests that "Scoob!" is best appreciated as an occasional watch rather than a treasured staple.

Tony Cervone's "Scoob!" is a chaotic venture that struggles to find its footing. The storyline meanders without direction, compounded by the considerable turnover in voice talent, substituting long-standing actors with celebrity voices that often fall flat. While the movie boasts an engaging introduction and sporadic humorous moments, these elements are overshadowed by the overall generic feel of the narrative and lack of substantial comedy. Nevertheless, the film's impeccable visuals present a silver lining. Warner Bros.' Blu-ray features an impressive 1080p transfer and robust lossless audio, guaranteeing a pleasing audiovisual experience despite the lackluster content.

Though the film had commendable intentions, evident from its promising opening, the multitude of writers involved led to a disjointed story arc that attempts to cater to all audiences but ends up satisfying none. The nostalgic elements and visually captivating animation do provide some relief, showcasing what the film could have been with more cohesive storytelling. The Blu-ray format handles these visual masterpieces skillfully, ensuring vibrant color depth and sharp details are maintained. The audio track is equally commendable, delivering a dynamic sound profile that enriches the viewing experience.

In conclusion, while "Scoob!" as a film might leave much to be desired in terms of narrative coherence and humor, its technical execution on Blu-ray is commendable. The great 1080p transfer and formidable audio mix do justice to the movie's visual artistry. However, the bonus features lack substantial content, and the 4K upgrade is highly recommended for those with compatible setups. As it stands, this Blu-ray release may suffice for curious viewers but does not constitute a must-have addition to any collection.