Is It Right For Velma to Be Hot?

I have to admit I liked the first live action Scooby-Doo movie far more than was reasonable, or certainly predictable. While the plot was arcane and preposterous, the cast was terrific and their interaction funny and even touching. Now the same cast is back for Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, coming March 26:

Jinkies! In Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, Scooby and the gang lose their cool – and their stellar reputation – when an anonymous masked villain wreaks mayhem on the city of Coolsville with a monster machine that re-creates classic Mystery Inc. foes like The Pterodactyl Ghost, The Black Knight Ghost, Captain Cutler’s Ghost and The 10,000 Volt Ghost.

Under pressure from relentless reporter Heather Jasper-Howe (ALICIA SILVERSTONE) and the terrified citizens of Coolsville, the gang launches an investigation into the mysterious monster outbreak that leaves Shaggy and Scooby questioning their roles in Mystery Inc.

The ever-ravenous duo, determined to prove they’re great detectives, don a series of far-out disguises in their search for clues. All signs point to Jeremiah “Old Man” Wickles (PETER BOYLE), the former Black Knight Ghost who was once unmasked by the gang and thrown in jail. Did the creepy wannabe launch the monstrous attack on Coolsville in a diabolical quest for revenge?

Meanwhile, brainy Velma (LINDA CARDELLINI) becomes smitten with another key suspect, Coolsonian Criminology Museum curator Patrick Wisely (SETH GREEN), as macho leader Fred (FREDDIE PRINZE JR.) and image-conscious Daphne (SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR) attempt to determine the identity of the Evil Masked Figure whose monster army is wreaking havoc on Coolsville.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Mosaic Media Group Production of a RAJA GOSNELL film, Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, starring FREDDIE PRINZE JR., SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR, MATTHEW LILLARD, LINDA CARDELLINI, SETH GREEN, PETER BOYLE, TIM BLAKE NELSON and ALICIA SILVERSTONE.

Produced by CHARLES ROVEN and RICHARD SUCKLE, the film is directed by RAJA GOSNELL, written by JAMES GUNN, based on characters created by HANNA BARBERA PRODUCTIONS. The executive producers are BRENT O’CONNOR, KELLEY SMITH-WAIT and JOSEPH BARBERA. The film editor is KENT BEYDA, A.C.E.; the production designer is BILL BOES; the director of photography is OLIVER WOOD; and the music is composed by DAVID NEWMAN.

All of that is swell, but is Velma really supposed to be the hottest of the Scooby-Doo crew? Not that there is anything wrong with Sarah Michelle, but Linda Cardellini is pretty smoking these days.