Scooby-Doo and the Monster of Mexico

Continuing with the short Scooby-Doo kick, we now go south to Mexico! Though...I think the gang has been here before at some point in their wide number of episodes. However, this is the first feature length movie to step foot here.

On this outing a large purple monster is terrorizing, looking much like the Cookie's monster cousin gone wild. While they are in town, Fred's pen-pal, Alejo and his family lend a hand with providing them a place to stay and showing them around the town. We are provided with many suspects on this trip include a Medicine Man, Louis the cowardly brother, his wife Charlene and Senor Fuente who wishes to buy the hotel from Alejo and Louis.

One slightly interesting thing to me is that Alejo's pet dog is unable to speak. I just find it so odd that Scooby, Scooby-Dum, Scooby-Dee and Scrappy are all able to speak English (to varying degrees) and are understood by their human companions but all other dogs are largely silent. Not so much an annoyance, just a small oddity that's never really given an explanation to my knowledge.

So. Back to the movie. The gang starts out by interviewing the townspeople about the Chupacabra (who is actually Puerto Rican inspired) before heading out to the woods where a chase occurs. Alejo nearly falls off a cliff, with his brother nowhere to be seen until after the monster disappears. Meanwhile Fred, Daphne and Velma encounter the Medicine Man who gives some cryptic words and advice. Shaggy and Scooby sit this one out and sleep in the van, though discover the brake lines were cut leading to a slight scare.

Moving along, the gang proceeds to check out a history museum, following up on the advice they gained. Daphne, as per usual goes missing and what results is an overly long chase to a Latin song. The gang returns in time for the Day of the Dead and meet up with Alejo's wife and his mother Dolores who inform them that Charlene has been taken by the Chupacabra. After rehashing all the clues and events, the ghost of Senor Otero appears and urges the brothers to sell their land and hotel. Realizing something is up, Scooby uncovers a skeleton dressed man and a brief chase ensues ending with the unmasking of the skeleton and the chupacabra.

Monster of Mexico is...rather in the middle ground for the direct to video releases. It's not all that amazing, but not overly bad. Given the still constant releases of these films it's doubtful Scooby-Doo will be going anywhere, anytime soon.