What's New, Scooby-Doo? (TV Series) Lights! Camera! Mayhem! (2003) User Reviews

The Mystery Incorporated gang as stunts. That's very new.

[XueHuaBingYu · 8/10 · 15 November 2019]

One paragraph plot summary : On a set, while crews are filming a movie, a faceless ghost appearing and it's disturbing casts and crew members. The ghost wants them all to leave this place. If they don't, then a lot of bad things will happen. The next day, the Mystery Incorporated gang is arriving to that film studio because Velma's relative invited them to visit. During exploring the studio, they learn the event currently happening. They put themselves as stunts in the grou[ to lure the ghost out. By doing this, they get the clues. Step by step, they uncover who the ghost really is. But they didn't put him in jail because no one's got hurt. Later, because of the reason why that one who is responsible for those disturbances did those things, they create the film in the other way around which let the Mystery Incorporated gang ended on the red carpet.

Episode 11 is simple and the reason for why that one did those disturbances is kind of difficult to guess, in the other word, it's unpredictable, but it's still simple. Still, it's so much fun. There are some funny moments. I even laughed out loud when I saw those scenes. So, I'd say it's very good to enjoy.

As for me, if they've made it a bit complicated than this, it'd be better. That being said, I'm not saying that the current one is not good. It's indeed very enjoyable and I've enjoyed every second of it. Thus Scooby-Doo animations are really cool and I'm looking forward to see the next and next episodes.

Lights! Camera! Mayhem!

[MrFilmAndTelevisionShow · 8/10 · 17 August 2021]

I thought Rip Bannon was going to be the one haunting the set, having not really died and jealous that they were remaking his film, but that is what they want you to think to throw the scent off everyone else. The person who did it actually had a good motive but it would be impossible to guess before some infomation was revealed after their capture.

The no face phantom chase

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 6 December 2021]

Mysteries set in/on movie studios/sets is not unfamiliar territory for the Scooby Doo franchise. With it being done first in 'Scooby Doo Where are You's' "Never Ape an Ape Man" and other examples being the 'The New Scooby Doo Movies' episode with Sandy Duncan and 'The New Scooby and Scrappy Doo Show's "The Fall Dog". But again that doesn't matter, as it is a setting that holds a lot of nostalgic value and it has always worked very well in the franchise.

"Lights, Camera, Mayhem" is better than all three of those episodes and one of the best mysteries of the franchise revolving around movie and television sets and studios. Of the two episodes that had the gang as stunt members, the other being "The Fall Dog", this is the better of the two. It is a great episode and a high point not just of Season 1 but also of 'What's New Scooby Doo' in general. In fact, it was episodes like "Lights, Camera, Mayhem" (which was incidentally one of my first episodes of the show watched) that contributed to the show growing on me.

The animation is richly detailed and colourful, with some nice eerie atmosphere evoked too. The animation on the villain and in the stunts particularly stand out. The music fits the atmosphere and the show's style ideally and it is appealing on its own. The intro and theme song are memorable. The stunts are inventively animated and have some tension, especially in the climactic trap.

Furthermore, the mystery is terrific fun and has some genuine spookiness and thrills too. It's not new territory, but the execution feels fresh and unique. The villain is also genuinely scary and was not expecting the identity of the perpetrator or the motive. The action never stops, making for a continually fast pace without being too hectic, and it is a nice mix of the funny and creepy and the old and the new.

Shaggy and Scooby are endearingly goofy and their friendship has so much charm. Loved the gang's roles here and the supporting characters are a colourful bunch. The voice acting is full of zest and enthusiasm.

Disappointingly, "Lights Camera, Mayhem" is at its weakest with the chase song/scene. Usually a strength in most episodes, particularly in the lesser ones, but here on the uninspired side this time and doesn't quite live up to the uniqueness of everything else.

Overall, great. 9/10.