Being a huge Scooby Doo fan for goodness knows how long, any new show, special or film would be watched with great anticipation. While 'Scooby Doo Where Are You' is still the jewel of the crown of the franchise, one where most of the shows and films are watchable and more, a vast majority of the Scooby Doo films have a huge amount to like and are worth watching at least once.
'Scooby Doo and the Gourmet Ghost' may not be one of my favourite Scooby Doo films, do prefer 'Zombie Island', 'Witch's Ghost', 'Big Top', 'Goblin King', 'Mask of Blue Falcon' and 'Stage Fright' in an extensive series of films where the only one to not do much for me was 'Monster of Mexico'. Do consider it one of the better recent Scooby Doo films though and a very strong contender for the best of the cross-over entries (my personal pick anyhow), with it feeling the most like a Scooby Doo film and the one that balanced mystery and guest stars the best, rather than the latter dominating the former or the gang. Maybe not an awful lot new excepting the setting in terms of story, but the entertainment value and quality is high here.
Maybe there are a few awkward transitions, emphasis on a few, and do have to agree that the shhh running gag repeats itself far too much, one that was slightly amusing the first couple of times, got tired very early on after that and then really grated the other times it was repeated.
Otherwise, there really is not an awful lot to criticise about 'Scooby Doo and the Gourmet Ghost'. The animation is great, colourful, suitably spooky and sometimes imaginative. Everything is beautifully drawn and meticulously detailed, with rich, atmospheric colours and a lot of care and time clearly went into how the characters were drawn and move. Music is both dynamic and groovy, with a lot of energy and a haunting undercurrent.
The writing is smart and clever, as well as very funny. There are some endearingly goofy jokes (in classic Scooby Doo fashion, while also feeling current) and witty quirkiness, lots of classic Scooby Doo elements (most of them in fact) and other nice little touches like Bobby and Giada's very cute cats and the valet. The story is mostly very compelling, with the right amount of upbeat goofiness and creepiness without being too cheesy or too scary. There are plenty of clues and surprises are plentiful too, thanks to the many twists being clever and not too foreseeable. Unlike most Scooby Doo films, the ending actually surprised me. Loved the culinary setting, which is so colourful and leaves one's mouths watering and wanting to dig in and learning more about Fred.
Really enjoyed Bobby and Giada and felt they added a lot to the film while not dominating too much. The ghost is awesomely spooky as well. The gang are on good form and true to character, especially Shaggy and Scooby. The voice acting is also very well done, Bobby and Giada put a lot of spirit into their voice-work while Matthew Lillard is particularly spot on as Shaggy.
Summarising, not quite delicious but very appetising and tasty all the same. 8/10
