Scooby Doo and the Witch's Ghost- Classic Animation Review
1969s ‘Scooby Doo! Where Are You?’ was a television animation milestone. Many children around the world watched the Hannah Barbara show over the years, mostly through syndication, and as a result it had constantly gained new generations of fans. It's impact on pop culture was vast too, from its oft-quoted, "I would have got away with it too, if it wasn't for you pesky kids" to "It's old man xyz" to popularising the chasing through different doors sequence, you know the one; the chaser is pursuing the chasee(s) as they enter through one door only to emerge from a different or opposite door.
The show was hot stuff and it was doing well but over the years it lost its lustre and when ‘A Pup Named Scooby Doo’, released in 1991, was not well received it looked like the end of Scooby Doo. Due to the popularity and relative cheapness of shows like ‘Power Rangers’, ‘Saved By the Bell’ and its live action ilk there was a lull in television animation in the mid to late 90s and Scooby Doo looked like it was going to join the limbo of syndicated satellite cartoon show for all posterity.
However, in 1998 the straight to VHS Scooby Doo on Zombie Island animated movie released and helped to revive the series, winning over a whole new legion of fans and reviving interest in the characters. Due to the overwhelming success in sales, a follow up film was commissioned and so, we had ‘Scooby Doo and the Witch’s Ghost.’
The Mystery Incorporated gang meet horror writer Ben Ravencroft (voiced by the inimitable Tim Curry, playing the role to the hilt) and are invited to his peaceful hometown of Oakhaven, Massachusetts. Upon arrival, they see that the town is awash with tourists as the ghost of persecuted witch, Sarah Ravencroft (Ben’s ancestor) is apparently haunting the town. And so, it is up to the gang to get to the truth and find out if it really is a ghost or another case of ‘Old man xyz’.
The first thing to note is that the animation is gorgeous as it is the same Japanese studio that worked on ‘Scooby Doo on Zombie Island.’ Also, the music and soundtrack are pretty banging, particularly the Hex Girls song (which I’ve placed below for your auditory pleasure- you’re welcome!)
The story itself starts off okay but does build up towards an exciting conclusion. The final reveal is quite beautifully animated with the power revealed but it does lacks the intrigue and bite of Zombie Island.
The film overall is definitely worth a watch and not too scary for the little ones; my 5 and 8 year old daughters enjoyed it and were not too scared at all.
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