Watch Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins

In this 2009 direct-to-video film, Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins, fans of the beloved animated mystery-solving team get a glimpse at how the gang came together and embarked on their first investigation. The movie was directed by Brian Levant and produced by Warner Premiere. The film starts with a teenage Shaggy Rogers (played by Nick Palatas) moving to a new town and attending a new high school, where he befriends a brainy student named Velma Dinkley (Hayley Kiyoko). After they discover a ghostly presence in the school, they team up with Fred Jones (Robbie Amell) and Daphne Blake (Kate Melton) to investigate. Along the way, they bond and maneuver through Scooby-Doo's origins, ultimately leading them to team up as the iconic Mystery Inc.

The film is a prequel, so it takes place years before the classic cartoon series. Audiences are treated to a different iteration of the gang's personalities, with Shaggy being the lovable pothead; Velma, the over-achieving smarty pants; Fred, the jock, and Daphne, the popular gal with a heart of gold. While each character has elements that are similar to their animated counterparts, the film takes more liberties in crafting their story arcs.

Robbie Amell and Kate Melton do an excellent job of playing Fred and Daphne, respectively. Amell's take on Fred shows him as a likable dude who knows the ins and outs of fixing cars and can be a bit clueless at times. Meanwhile, Melton's Daphne is a social butterfly who is plagued by secrets.

Hayley Kiyoko sells Velma's geekiness, showcasing her character's love for science and technology. There is a sweetness to her friendship with Shaggy, which is rooted in their mutual love for food. As for Nick Palatas' Shaggy, he manages to capture the energy of the character we all know and love. His comedic timing is spot-on, and he does an impressive job at mimicking Shaggy's voice.

The visuals of the film are very similar to that of the Live-Action Scooby Movie released in 2002. Although the film's visuals can be underwhelming, they are consistent with the overall feel of the franchise. The film's cinematography and sound effects are also comically exaggerated to provide that over-the-top Scooby vibe!

The movie's plot is well-written, and it slowly builds up as the film moves forward. The movie's strength is its explorations of its characters and their dynamics' growth and how they become the gang that was so prominent during the '70s.

As the gang explores the school and uncovers its secrets, we see how each character contributes to the investigation. Shaggy and Scooby bring the comic relief, inadvertently finding clues that lead to a significant mystery, while Velma provides the brains, taking charge of the situation to assemble the pieces of the puzzle. Daphne, who comes from a wealthy background, provides equipment and funds in the quest for the truth, while Fred shows off his talent for building things like a trap that the team uses to capture the culprit.

Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins is a fun adventure that manages to bring continuity to the franchise. This is not just some slapdash, poorly designed kids' flick; this movie takes itself seriously, but not too seriously, with tongue-in-cheek humor that remains faithful to the spirit of the original cartoons. The film entices fans more invested by giving them a backstory that sets the stage for the gang's adventures to come.

Overall, Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins is a great introduction for viewers just discovering the Mystery Inc. crew, while also offering something new for fans who have loved the franchise for decades. If you're looking for an easy to watch, feel-good movie, this is the one for you!

Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins is a 2009 mystery with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3.