Scooby up some Cardellini

SCOOBY-DOO (2002)

Reviewed by Jerry Saravia

After seeing the fantastic TV series that was criminally cancelled, "Freaks and Geeks," the one actress that stood out from the talented ensemble was Linda Cardellini. She played a math wiz/high-school student and the actress's ability to project vulnerability and emotional strength, as in slowly and sneakily showing she was a rebel, was revelatory.

Just as revelatory is her role as the frumpish Velma in the lumbering big-screen adaptation of the cult animated show from Hanna-Barbera land, "Scooby-Doo." I have seen some episodes of the cartoon and I can doubtlessly say that Linda Cardellini is the perfect Velma - she looks and speaks like her without missing a beat. And, heck, she is sexier and far more intelligent than Daphne (Sarah Michelle Gellar) - there, I said it.

The movie is a little too long and too cute with bright, occasional Day-Glo colors, some entertaining action scenes, too many special-effects that feel like distractions, and a Scooby-Doo dog who doesn't seem to occupy the same space as his human co-stars. The whole film should've been animated but then we would miss the appearance of Cardellini, not to mention the terrific Matthew Lillard as Shaggy who is as cartoonish as Scooby (the less said about Freddie Prinze, Jr., the better). It is a live-action cartoon with likable enough characters but it overstays its welcome after the first third. Time for a Scooby snack.