This week we look at a very different Scooby movie. “Scooby-Doo! And the Goblin King” isn’t you run of the mill Scooby story. Click on to see just how different it is.

After “Chill Out Scooby-Doo!” we, I, needed something fresh. Goblin King is exactly what the doctor ordered. Not only is this one of the ‘real supernatural’ movies but, it isn’t even a mystery. It’s a straight up adventure flick built around Scooby and Shaggy. The rest of the gang is there but they aren’t as important.

The set up here is that it’s Halloween and the Gang has gone to a carnival in Coolsville. While there they have a run in with The Amazing Krudsky, a magician. They gang checks out his show but Scooby and Shaggy end up exposing him as a fake. As you can imagine Krudsky is pissed.

After the show, Krudsky goes to his tent and vents over his frustrations. He has always wanted to be a real magician, but no matter what he tried he never found real magic. It just so happens that this is the night when real magic finds him.

In the tent with him is a fairy princess, named Willow, who begins to have a little fun with Krudsky. This doesn’t end well for her, Krudsky captures her and steals her magic.

Meanwhile, the gang takes Scooby and Shaggy to do some Trick or Treating.  Scooby and Shaggy head off to hit one last house as the rest of the gang gets the Mystery Machine. The last house is in fact a ‘genuine magic shoppe’.  The shopkeeper, Mr. Gibbles, shows Scooby and Shaggy some real magic. They are, of course, freaked out and are about to run off when Princess Willow shows up. She is being chased by Krudsky, who shows up a short time later. Krudsky turns Gibbles into a rabbit and leaves with Willow.

Gibbles enlists Scooby and Shaggy to save Willow. He explains that once Krudsky has Willow’s good magic he will want the Goblin King’s bad magic. That will cause a dangerous supernatural imbalance. It is now up to Scooby and Shaggy to save the world.  To do this they have to go to the spirit world, but if they don’t return by morning they will be trapped. Forever. To aid them Gibbles gives the guys a magic deck of Cards. Each card has an inscription that can be read to perform a spell. The cards can only be used once so they have to be saved for emergencies. After gaining some magical disguises the boys are off.

As you can imagine the rest of the gang is wondering where Scooby and Shaggy are. They head back to the carnival to look for them. The gang ends up overhearing Krudsky speaking to the Goblin King. 

The realization that Magic and the Supernatural is real causes Velma’s mind to shut down. Fred and Daphne put her to rest and then head off to set a trap for Krudsky and the Goblin King.

Meanwhile, Scooby and Shaggy are at a bar, owned by a Werewolf, and are trying to get directions to the Goblin King. That isn’t easy. Everyone is too scared of him to be of any help.

Two of the Goblin King’s men, Glob and Glum, try to capture Scooby and Shaggy. They are saved by a Jack O’Lantern a, you guessed it, magic pumpkin. Jack begins to lead the guys to the home of Three Witches, who can help them, when they are attacked by his headless body.

After a fun chase scene, the one thing all of these movies can boast, they make it to the Witches’ hut. The guys now know where to go and have a magic broom, named Broomy, with which to get there with.

Before they can get to the castle the guys are shot down by the two minions from earlier. They land in a fairy village. Three fairies lead them to the Castle. Once there the guys use a potion so that they can gain entrance. Shaggy is turned into Daphne while Scooby becomes Velma. They don’t actually become them mind you, they only gain their clothes and get wigs.

Scooby and Shaggy try to make off with the Goblin King’s scepter as time is running short, but end up in the dungeon.

Back in the real world the Goblin King and Krudsky are making the exchange, Willow for the scepter.

Fred and Daphne set off their trap but only the Goblin King is caught. They grab Willow and leg it as Krudsky takes the scepter. Krudsky uses his new power, as the new Goblin King, to turn the old Goblin King into a goose. He then leads his new Goblin Army forward to take over the world.

He turns the Mystery Machine into a monster to help him catch Fred, Daphne, and the now awakened Velma. Once he has them he changes them into a vampire, witch, and werewolf, respectively.

Scooby, Shaggy, and Jack O’Lantern arrive. They were saved by the three Fairies and Broomy. Jack sacrifices himself to separate the Scepter from Krudsky. Scooby uses it to undo Krudsky’s spells. The real Goblin King reclaims the scepter and captures Krudsky.

Time for the wrap up.

Why would the Goblin King want Willow? That is to say, why would he want her bad enough to hand over his scepter and his power? Turns out, Willow is the Goblin King’s daughter. I wonder what her mother looked like? Because, Willow did not get her father’s looks.

Anyway.

Gibbles, no longer a rabbit, and the Goblin King bring Jack back. They then erase Fred, Daphne, and Velma’s memories. It would have thrown of that ‘balance’ from earlier had they been allowed to remember. Scooby and Shaggy are allowed to keep their memories though.

The movie ends with Scooby and Shaggy picking up the rest of the gang, who have forgotten the night before, at the Carnival.

I really enjoyed this movie. We all know Scooby and Shaggy are the true heroes of this franchise. No matter what they always end up saving the day, usually by mistake. Here we get to see just how brave and competent they can be.

The animation was fantastic in this movie. I think the magical/dark/spooky settings helped with that. The action scenes had a lot of energy and were very smooth.

The voice acting, wow, this is a fantastic cast. Jack O’Lantern is played by Jay Leno, Glob is James Belushi, Krudsky is Wayne Knight, Willow is played by Hayden Pannettiere, Lauren Bacall plays The Grand Witch, and Tim Curry returns to play The Goblin King and the Werewolf. That is a lot of talent. 

Maybe this movie came off so great because I watched it right after the rather boring “Chill Out”. I doubt it. This was just a fun Scooby movie. It isn’t a must see but it is one to check out if you can.

8 out of 10

Before I go I want to share something with you.

That is the cover of a new Scooby series that DC is putting out. I’m sort of excited about this. Sure Shaggy’s  mustache is fucking ridiculous, not in a good way, but I’m all for a more serious take on Scooby-Doo. Mystery Inc was amazing and if this is a fraction as good as that it’ll be damn good.

Then again. If that facial hair is a taste of the quality of this than it won’t be anything like Mystery Inc. I’ll reserve judgment for now. But you’ll know my feelings about it as soon as I read it. Until then see you next week with “Scooby Doo! And the Samurai Sword”.