'Scooby-Doo! Return to Zombie Island' Is an Unwarranted Sequel to a Classic

Scooby-Doo! Return to Zombie Island is a sequel to both Scooby-Doo! and the Curse of the 13th Ghost, which is the most recent Scooby-Doo! direct-to-video movie prior to this, and Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island, which is the very first Scooby-Doo! direct-to-video movie.  In it, Shaggy wins an all-expenses-paid vacation in a tropical island, and he’s allowed to bring with him three friends and a pet – i.e. Fred, Velma, Daphne, and Scooby.  It’s obviously a sham, and as they learn later, the “tropical island” turns out being Zombie Island – the setting of a past case they had which involved zombies and immortal, life-force-sucking cat people (see Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island).  Apparently, somebody wants the Scooby Gang back in it.

I have fond memories of Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island.  It was one of the earliest VHS rentals I had as a kid.  It made quite an impression on me because it had a notably spookier and grittier tone than the animated series.  And then it blew my mind when it revealed that the Scooby Gang was actually dealing with legit supernatural elements instead of the usual crooks in monster costumes.

Thus, going in, I needed Scooby-Doo! Return to Zombie Island – being a sequel to such a movie that has much nostalgic value to me – to be much better than what’s typical of a Scooby-Doo! direct-to-video film.  Unfortunately, it’s unsuccessful of being so.

The writing is lacking.  For a while, it seems like it’s going to do some interesting retcons.  But, as it turns out, most of its ideas are duds, and its overall execution is unsatisfactory.  It doesn’t add anything of value or interest to anything Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island had built.  In addition, there are lapses in logic in its plot.  Actually, these things are somewhat of a given with Scooby-Doo!.  But it seems like, in its case, they’re more unforgivably conspicuous.

I’m especially thrown off with certain decisions made on the character of Alan Smithee.  He does some notably a-hole deeds, but he seems never penalized for them.  Instead, he actually comes out of it well rewarded.  What the – ?

There’s some fun to be had from it, sure – especially if you’re a Scooby-Doo! fan.  It has a few fairly clever bits and nods.  I did chuckle sometimes.  If this had been just any another Scooby-Doo! direct-to-video movie, it would have been okay.  But remember: it’s not enough for it to be the usual stuff.  It needs to be a worthwhile followup to Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island – which I would even argue is a classic.  For if it’s not so, then it really has no business of existing – at least, in the form of a Zombie Island sequel.

Scooby-Doo! Return to Zombie Island has story points that come as a result of the events of Scooby-Doo! and the Curse of the 13^th Ghost, so that needs to be seen first in order to understand certain parts of the narrative.  And this particular arc is not yet through, so it will presumably continue/conclude in the next movie.  In relation to this, considering the subject matter of these two recent Scooby-Doo! films, it seems like the franchise has shifted from treating each Scooby-Doo! incarnation – TV series or movie – a standalone to focusing more on linking the continuity and lore of Scooby-Doo!.  I do like the implication of this.  And I’m intrigued on what old Scooby-Doo! element those at the helm will be reviving next.  Maybe they would even dare to bring back the infamous Scrappy-Doo.

In summary, Scooby-Doo! Return to Zombie Island is entertaining in parts, but it disappoints as a whole – especially when it’s compared to the quality, originality, and ambitions of Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island.  As a sequel, it’s unwarranted  It’s more rewarding to rewatch (or watch, if you haven’t seen it yet) Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island.