As a huge Scooby Doo fan, Scooby Doo! And KISS: Rock and Roll Mystery may not be one of the best of the Scooby Doo films in the way Witch's Ghost, Zombie Island, Big Top, Mask of the Blue Falcon and Goblin King are, but it is hardly a lesser effort (Monster of Mexico is my personal least favourite) and is definitely worth a watch.
The animation is great, some of the most imaginative and funky of any Scooby Doo film. Everything is beautifully drawn and meticulously detailed, with rich, atmospheric colours and a lot of care and time clearly went into how the characters were drawn and move. Even better, and perhaps the best thing about the film, is the terrific rock and roll soundtrack filled with a mix of KISS' biggest hits and songs every bit as catchy, KISS fans will be in KISS heaven almost certainly.
Scooby Doo! And KISS: Rock and Roll Mystery is a smartly written and funny film as well, with some endearing goofy slapstick and jokes, great inside jokes with KISS and witty digs at Fred's taste in music and commercialism in the business. The story is always diverting, love the over-the-top strangeness of the KISS scenes and it didn't feel too much of a KISS rock video and while the ending did feel rushed, not quite explained enough and the identity of the villain a little obvious the mystery is fun and suspenseful.
The characters all engage, Scooby and the gang are true to personality, fun to watch and have an easy-going chemistry, Velma is more likable than she has been in some of the more recent outings and Shaggy and Scooby's friendship is charming as always. KISS are great additions and have really interesting personalities, while the villain is an appropriately spooky one. The voice work is very good, the Scooby Doo regulars (especially Matthew Lillard) are spot on and KISS are a very pleasant surprise and sound more than comfortable in their as themselves roles.
All in all, not Scooby Doo at his best, but Scooby Doo! And KISS: Rock and Roll Mystery is never less than a rocking good time, and at its best it's an absolute blast. 8/10 Bethany Cox
