Well, let’s start off by saying that I am a HUGE fan of Scooby-Doo and its franchise! I love the original TV series, I love most of the other TV series that followed it and are still following it, and I love the direct-to-DVD films. (What do I think of the live-action films? Well, I prefer the Brian Levant TV duology over the Raja Gosnell theatrical duology; but that’s not really saying much for either of them.)
And the focus of today’s review is one of the newer direct-to-DVD movies, “Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire”! Now if you’re like me, the first thing that comes to your mind is, “HEY! Wait a minute! They already made a direct-to-DVD Scooby-Doo film involving a vampire, ‘Scooby-Doo! and the Legend of the Vampire’! How can they be so unoriginal and use the same type of supernatural creature again?! Are they telling us the same story again?!”
Well, it’s actually not the same story, nor the same type of supernatural creature. “Scooby-Doo! and the Legend of the Vampire” has a more “classic” vampire: demonic, destructive, Australian-Dracula type monster!
The vampires in this film are inspired by the more “romantic, sexy, good-looking, bride-seeking” vampires that are popular in present culture; most notably in the “Twilight” franchise! Oh look, they actually parody it!
Well, what’s the story? The gang decides to go on a vacation and lets Velma choose the vacation spot. And like always they want to go to a place where there is no chance of a mystery happening or monsters appearing. How do I know this? Because they sing about it!
Oh, did I mention this film is a musical?
Well after that surprisingly catchy and enjoyable song (and Velma’s psychotic driving),
they arrive at their vacation spot: a vampire convention! Yes, Velma has apparently chosen to go to a convention celebrating vampires and doesn’t think that a monster or a mystery will ever pop up there! Hmm, what could go wrong?
The convention is held on grounds owned by Professor Van Helsing, an expert in vampirology!
No, not that one, this is actually his descendant, Vincent Van Helsing, who’s trying to keep up his family name and estate.
He allows this convention to take place on his land, so he can continue getting revenue for his estate. He also writes books on real vampires and expresses a dislike for the popular “lusty teen tripe”.
He also has a body of a real vampire king in his mansion.
Could this possibly become alive and be the main creature of pursuit? Nawwww, how could it? What could possibly happen at a vampire convention?
Anyway, there is also a popular vampire-obsessed performance group headed by the sexy Bram, upon whom Daphne develops an Edward Cullen-like crush.
(Oh, and they share a dance later in the movie. Did I mention this is a musical?)
Anyway, the performers start performing a chant to bring a vampire back from the dead. What could possibly go wrong? Oh, the spell was actually a true spell from the Internet, and the vampire king belonging to Van Helsing comes to life, and the mystery is afoot.
The rest of the movie is the usual solving the mystery. We also meet a few more characters including the owner of the convention,
a moralist seeking to be mayor,
a Jim Cummings-voiced old hermit who speaks in the exact voice of Jim Cumming’s “Ray” from “The Princess and the Frog”,
and of course a Don Knotts/Barney Fife parody.
So, that’s about all I’ll say about the movie’s plot. Now, did I like this movie? Well….actually I REALLY liked this movie! I was shocked myself! Is it amazing? No! Are some of the musical numbers pointless? Yes!
Are some of the scenes and characters pointless and underused? Yes!
Can the whole movie be considered “jumping the shark”? Possibly! Is the beginning a direct rip-off from “Aladdin”? Yes!
Is/Are the villain(s) obvious? In my opinion, yes!
But, for what this movie is, I was extremely entertained and I think that’s what the main point of this movie was! It was meant to entertain along with your favorite characters! It wasn’t meant to be a masterpiece, it wasn’t meant to be the same story as before! It was meant to be something new and different, all the while still keeping you happily enthralled. If you enjoy the direct-to-DVD Scooby-Doo releases, you’ll enjoy this one as well! Now, for my ranking:
The Animation Commendation 