WesternAnimation Has no business being as good as it is.
To many, describing a film as "Darker and Edgier ' Scooby-Doo ' where they fight cat monsters and zombies and Southerners" will turn them off of watching it, because that's a fucking stupid description and Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island deserves better. Yes, it's dark and mature Scooby. Yes, there are zombies, cat monsters, and Southerners, all of whom are evil (and the zombies and cats ain't so pretty themselves). But that's good, great even. For once, the gang is dealing with an actual threat, and they suck at dealing with it—Mystery Inc. is broken up, you guys—and this gives the film surprising weight. The character work is great, and as for scares…I'm still baffled that my Ma let me watch this as a child because I'm still scared by it. Oh, and the music is pure magic—who'da thunk that Main/{Punk} would be sooooo good for Scoobs?
So…watch the movie. You won't regret it.
WesternAnimation A how to primer on doing a series deconstruction
When people think of the term "Deconstruction" nowadays, they think of "Tastelessly rip apart the entire work to the point where its unrecognizable and unenjoyable." It has developed some negative connotations towards it and is sometimes used as an excuse for lack of respect to the source material.
Scooby Doo on Zombie Island spits in the face of that idea that a new entry in a lighthearted and corny series like Scooby Doo can do "Darker And Edgier" and deconstruct its elements, while not at the same time feeling like a mean-spirited mockery of the series. The gang have lives outside of mystery solving, and you cannot stay together forever and our friends will eventually go their seperate ways to pursue their own careers. Being a Big Eater on the job is highly unprofessional and liable to have on the outs with your boss, among other things. Zombie Island is forboding, but at the same time, it never once deviates from the entertainment and charm that makes Scooby Doo so memorable and fun to watch. The characters are all on point, the pacing is just right, and the villains are excellent, with the ghostly Captain Moonscar and his zombie crew having quite a presense, as well as the devious Miss Simone and Lena. "It's Terror Time Again" is a absolute banger of a soundtrack.
This film gets better with age, and the fact that it holds up so well after 25 years (Wow) is a testament to its quality. Zombie Island is a great movie and rightly deserves its pedestal among Scooby fans.