Straight Outta Nowhere: Scooby-Doo! Meets Courage the Cowardly Dog

Last updated

Straight Outta Nowhere: Scooby-Doo! Meets Courage the Cowardly Dog
Straight Outta Nowhere, Scooby-Doo Meets Courage the Cowardly Dog Poster.png
DVD slipcover
Directed byCecilia Aranovich Hamilton
Written byMichael Ryan
Based on
Produced byCecilia Aranovich Hamilton
Starring
Edited byDave Courter
Music by
  • Jody Gray
  • Andy Ezrin
Production
company
Distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
Release date
  • September 14, 2021 (2021-09-14)
Running time
78 minutes [1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Straight Outta Nowhere: Scooby-Doo! Meets Courage the Cowardly Dog is a 2021 American animated mystery film produced by Warner Bros. Animation, and is the thirty-sixth entry in the direct-to-video series of Scooby-Doo films. The film also serves as a crossover between Scooby-Doo and the Cartoon Network show Courage the Cowardly Dog . The film was released on DVD and Digital on September 14, 2021.

Contents

Plot

While unmasking a bank-robbing clown, Scooby-Doo hears a strange noise and is driven to dance before he runs away. Meanwhile, Courage appears to be having the same problem, though Muriel and Eustace don't seem to notice. The gang rushes after Scooby, only to find that they have ended up in Nowhere, Kansas, where many hostile cicadas are surrounding Courage and Scooby. After they killed the cicadas, Muriel calls them over to the Bagge household, where they properly meet her and Eustace.

Both the Scooby gang and the Bagge family are invited to dinner with the Mayor of Nowhere. On the way there, Scooby and Courage are attacked by a giant Cicada Queen, resulting in the destruction of Eustace's truck. Arriving at the Mayor of Nowhere's mansion, they are offered a tour of an attached museum detailing Nowhere's bizarre history of attracting weirdness to the town. Shaggy, Scooby and Courage look for something to eat, while Eustace heads back to the Bagge residence. Shaggy, Scooby and Courage are attacked by the Cicada Queen, whose brood knocks Fred, Daphne, Velma and Muriel into a hidden cave. There, they discover a strange machine randomly sending out cellphone calls; Shaggy, Scooby and Courage destroy it while escaping the Cicada Queen. At the Bagge residence, Eustace makes a Shaggy-esque sandwich when he gets guests at the door. Each visitor is one of the call recipients and they leave large amounts of money.

Attempting to return to the Bagge residence to unravel the mystery, the group is once again attacked by the Cicada Queen, which kidnaps most of them, leaving only Scooby and Courage behind. Plugging Velma's personal tablet into Courage's computer, they discover that the cicada's unnatural size and every other strange encounter Courage dealt with was the result of a dark matter meteor, the one presumably to have wiped out the dinosaurs, which is buried under the spot where the Bagge residence is. Courage and Scooby retrieve the meteor and rescue the gang. Their attempt to escape is thwarted by the Cicada Queen, who takes the meteor and holds Muriel hostage, forcing Courage to face his fears and confront it. After a long battle, the Cicada Queen is trapped under scraps from the Bagge windmill.

The General and the Lieutenant soon arrive to apprehend the Cicada Queen, which is revealed to be a mech piloted by Katz and Le Quack. After discovering the meteor's existence, they teamed up to take over Nowhere's political facilities and to use the resources to dig up the meteor to hypnotize and rob several well-off locals, stashing it at the Bagge residence. When they learned that the Scooby gang was in the area, they used the meteor to brainwash the local cicada population to scare them off in an attempt to "up their game". The General attempts to secure the meteor to be used ostensibly as a weapon, but at Courage's suggestion, it is turned into a disco ball so the group can celebrate.

Voice cast

Production

John R. Dilworth, the original creator of Courage the Cowardly Dog, was not involved with the film's production. [2] Marty Grabstein and Thea White reprised their roles as Courage and Muriel Bagge, while voice actor Jeff Bergman voiced Eustace Bagge, taking over from actors Lionel Wilson and Arthur Anderson, due to the latter dying in 2003 and 2016, respectively. [3] Bergman had previously voiced Eustace prior in a commercial advert for Cartoon Network's 20th anniversary in 2012. [4] [5]

The crossover marks the final acting credit of Thea White, who died during surgery on July 30, 2021, due to liver cancer, and the film was dedicated to her memory. [6] [7]

Release

The film was released on DVD and Digital HD by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on September 14, 2021. [8]

Reception

Dillon Gonzales, writing for Geek Vibes Nation, gave the film a positive review, saying "there are moments that feel a bit padded to justify a feature-length effort, but it is easy to give them a pass as you enjoy spending time with these characters". [9] Becky O'Brien of Cinelinx also gave a positive review, saying the film "exceeded all of my expectations. This is a movie fans of both series will enjoy. It is literally a love letter to everything that makes both Scooby-Doo and Courage the Cowardly Dog fun to watch". [10]

Common Sense Media gave the film 2 out of 5 stars. [11]

Boca do Inferno said, "it's worth it for the opportunity to see them again on stage, fighting monsters with fear, sympathy and a lot of voracity." [12]

Related Research Articles

<i>Scooby-Doo</i> American animated media franchise

Scooby-Doo is an American media franchise owned by Warner Bros. Entertainment and created in 1969 by writers Joe Ruby and Ken Spears through their animated series, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, for Hanna-Barbera. The series features four teenagers: Fred Jones, Daphne Blake, Velma Dinkley, and Shaggy Rogers, and their talking Great Dane named Scooby-Doo, who solve mysteries involving supposedly supernatural creatures through a series of antics and missteps, while traveling using a brightly colored van called the "Mystery Machine". The franchise has several live-action films and shows.

<i>Courage the Cowardly Dog</i> American animated comedy horror television series

Courage the Cowardly Dog is an American animated comedy horror television series created by John R. Dilworth for Cartoon Network. It was produced by Dilworth's animation studio, Stretch Films. The eponymous character is a dog who lives with an elderly couple in a farmhouse in the middle of Nowhere, a fictional town in Kansas. In each episode, the trio is thrown into bizarre, frequently disturbing, and often paranormal or supernatural adventures. The series is known for its dark, surreal humor and atmosphere.

<i>Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed</i> 2004 film directed by Raja Gosnell

Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed is a 2004 American mystery adventure comedy horror film based on the animated franchise Scooby-Doo. The second installment in the Scooby-Doo live-action film series and the sequel to 2002's Scooby-Doo, it was directed by Raja Gosnell, from a screenplay written by James Gunn, and stars Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Linda Cardellini, Matthew Lillard, Seth Green, Tim Blake Nelson, Peter Boyle and Alicia Silverstone, with Neil Fanning reprising his role as the voice of Scooby-Doo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaggy Rogers</span> Fictional character in Scooby-Doo

Norville "Shaggy" Rogers is a fictional character and one of the main characters in the Scooby-Doo franchise. He is characterized as an amateur detective, and the long-time best friend of his dog, Scooby-Doo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Velma Dinkley</span> Fictional character from Scooby-Doo

Velma Dinkley is a fictional character in the Scooby-Doo franchise. She is usually seen wearing a baggy orange turtleneck sweater, a short red pleated skirt, knee high socks, Mary Jane shoes, and a pair of black square glasses, which she frequently loses and is unable to see without. She is seen as the "brains" of the group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scooby-Doo (character)</span> Animated cartoon dog

Scoobert "Scooby" Doo is the eponymous character and protagonist of the animated television franchise created in 1969 by the American animation company Hanna-Barbera. He is a male Great Dane and lifelong companion of amateur detective Shaggy Rogers, with whom he shares many personality traits. He features a mix of both canine and human behaviors, and is treated by his friends more or less as an equal. Scooby often speaks in a rhotacized way, substituting the first letters of many words with the letter 'r'. His catchphrase is "Scooby-Dooby-Doo!"

<i>Scooby-Doo! and the Witchs Ghost</i> 1999 animated film

Scooby-Doo! and the Witch's Ghost is a 1999 American direct-to-video animated supernatural horror comedy film, and the second of the direct-to-video films based upon Scooby-Doo Saturday morning cartoons. It was produced by Hanna-Barbera Cartoons and Warner Bros. Animation. The film was released on VHS on October 5, 1999, then on DVD on March 6, 2001.

Thea Ruth White was an American voice actress best known for her work as Muriel Bagge in the animated television series Courage the Cowardly Dog.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marty Grabstein</span> American actor

Marty Grabstein is an American actor, best known for voicing the titular character in the Cartoon Network animated series Courage the Cowardly Dog.

<i>Scooby-Doo! Abracadabra-Doo</i> 2010 American film

Scooby-Doo! Abracadabra-Doo is a 2010 direct-to-DVD animated comedy horror mystery fantasy film, and the fourteenth entry in a series of direct-to-video animated films based upon the Scooby-Doo Saturday morning cartoons. The film is directed by Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone. It was produced in 2009 by Warner Bros. Animation and it was released on February 16, 2010. It made its television debut on July 10, 2010 on Cartoon Network. The film performed well on iTunes, reaching the Top 10 on the Kids & Family film charts and the Top 40 on the iTunes film charts. The DVD sold 61,341 units in its first week and as of January 2013, it has sold approximately 433,000 units.

<i>Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster</i> 2010 mystery film

Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster is a 2010 American made-for-television comedy horror mystery film directed by Brian Levant for Cartoon Network and based on the Saturday morning cartoon series Scooby-Doo by Hanna-Barbera. It is a sequel to the 2009 film Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins. Robbie Amell, Hayley Kiyoko, Kate Melton, Nick Palatas, and Frank Welker cast reprise their roles. The film was shot in Santa Clarita, California, and Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California, and premiered on October 16, 2010.

The animated series Scooby-Doo has been adapted and appeared in five feature-length films since its debut in 1969, not including the series of animated direct-to-video films that have been in production since 1998, or the four animated television films produced from 1987 to 1994.

<i>Scooby-Doo! Haunted Holidays</i> 2012 direct-to-video special by Victor Cook

Scooby-Doo! Haunted Holidays is a 2012 animated television special based on the Scooby-Doo franchise. The special was produced by Warner Bros. Animation, released by Warner Home Video, and directed by Victor Cook, with a screenplay by Michael F. Ryan. In the special, Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Velma, and Daphne, embark on a holiday-themed mystery.

<i>Scooby-Doo! and the Beach Beastie</i> 2015 American film

Scooby-Doo! and the Beach Beastie is the sixth direct-to-DVD special produced by Warner Bros. Animation, based upon the Scooby-Doo Saturday morning cartoons. It was released on May 5, 2015, on the Scooby-Doo! 13 Spooky Tales: Surf's Up Scooby-Doo DVD.

<i>Scooby-Doo! and WWE: Curse of the Speed Demon</i> 2016 American film

Scooby-Doo! and WWE: Curse of the Speed Demon is a 2016 direct-to-DVD animated comedy mystery racing film, a sequel to Scooby-Doo! WrestleMania Mystery and the twenty-seventh entry in the direct-to-video series of Scooby-Doo films. It is a co-production between Warner Bros. Animation and WWE Studios. It premiered at San Diego Comic-Con on July 23, 2016, followed by a digital release on July 26, 2016. It was released on DVD on August 8, 2016, in the United Kingdom. The film was also released on both DVD and Blu-Ray on August 9, 2016, in the United States by Warner Home Video.

<i>Scooby-Doo! Return to Zombie Island</i> American animated direct-to-video film and sequel to Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island

Scooby-Doo! Return to Zombie Island is a 2019 American animated direct-to-video mystery film produced by Warner Bros. Animation and distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. It is the thirty-third entry in the direct-to-video series of Scooby-Doo films and a standalone sequel to the 1998 direct-to-video animated film Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island, the first film in the Scooby-Doo direct-to-video franchise. The film premiered at San Diego Comic-Con on July 21, 2019, followed by a digital and home media release on September 3, 2019.

<i>Scooby-Doo! and Krypto, Too!</i> American animated direct-to-video film

Scooby-Doo! and Krypto, Too! is a 2023 American animated direct-to-video mystery film produced by Warner Bros. Animation and is distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. It is the thirty-eighth entry in the direct-to-video series of Scooby-Doo films.

References

  1. "Straight Outta Nowhere: Scooby-doo Meets Courage The Cowardly Dog (PG)". British Board of Film Classification . July 27, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  2. Dilworth, John R. [@Creaj] (June 22, 2021). "I had no involvement with this product" (Tweet). Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021 via Twitter.
  3. Milligan, Mercedes (June 22, 2021). "'Straight Outta Nowhere: Scooby-Doo Meets Courage the Cowardly Dog' Crossover Arrives Sept. 14". Animation Magazine . Archived from the original on June 22, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  4. "Eustace Bagge". Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  5. "Cartoon Network 20th Anniversary Party (October 2012)". YouTube . March 31, 2013. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  6. Guy, Jack (August 2, 2021). "Thea White, voice of Muriel in 'Courage the Cowardly Dog', dead at 81". CNN . Archived from the original on October 3, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  7. Peters, Megan (August 1, 2021). "Courage the Cowardly Dog Star Thea White Dies at 81". ComicBook.com . Archived from the original on August 7, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  8. "Straight Outta Nowhere: Scooby-Doo Meets Courage the Cowardly Dog - Exclusive Official Clip". IGN . September 14, 2021. Archived from the original on September 19, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  9. Gonzales, Dillon (September 5, 2021). "'Straight Outta Nowhere: Scooby-Doo Meets Courage the Cowardly Dog' DVD Review – Hilarious Team-Up Will Please Fans". Geek Vibes Nation. Archived from the original on September 19, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  10. O'Brien, Becky (September 15, 2021). "Straight Outta Nowhere: Scooby Doo Meets Courage the Cowardly Dog (Review)". Cinelinx. Archived from the original on September 16, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  11. Costello, Brian. "Straight Outta Nowhere: Scooby-Doo! Meets Courage the Cowardly Dog". Common Sense Media . Archived from the original on January 4, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  12. Milici, Marcelo (October 14, 2021). "Straight Out of Nowhere: Scooby-Doo! Meet Courage the Cowardly Dog (2021)". Boca do Inferno. Archived from the original on June 28, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2023.