'Scooby Doo and Guess Who' "The Internet on Haunted House Hill" (2020)
Opening thoughts: On first watch, "The Internet on Haunted House Hill" (great clever title and a play on on the title of one of the great Vincent Price's best films) was mostly quite enjoyable. Part of me did feel though that it would have been a better episode if internet videoing/vlogging was my cup of tea and if the guest star (here Liza Koshy) was a more familiar name. Have generally felt that the best 'Scooby Doo and Guess Who' episodes have had guest stars that are familiar names and ones that this reviewer likes in general.
"The Internet on Haunted House Hill" still is quite enjoyable, namely for the atmosphere, setting and villain, all of which inventive and creepy. Do still think though that other 'Scooby Doo and Guess Who' episodes have better guest stars (mixed feelings in this regard) and certainly a lot stronger mysteries (rather ehh on this one) before and since. It is a long way from being one of the worst episodes of the show, but one of the best? Not even close. Worth watching, but not one of the show's essentials.
Good things: A lot of things are good here. The animation is great, loved the eerie looking colours, the villain's character design and the haunted instruments visuals (the animators were definitely having fun there). The music has the usual atmosphere and groove, and while this variation on it is too short the theme song is still timeless. The Scooby Doo franchise always excelled when it came to haunted house settings, one of the most used in the franchise and frequently successfully so.
Really loved the villain, who is one of the most sinister of the season with one of the more inventive character designs. Loved every bit as much the haunted instruments, a very cool and creepy touch imaginatively used. Most of the humour is amusing and doesn't come over as tired or too silly. The vlogs were quite fun.
Bad things: Having said all this, "The Internet on Haunted House Hill" does not have the greatest mystery in the world, actually a bit too thin and too low on twists and surprises. The denouement was not particularly memorable and was on the under-developed side.
While most of the humour works, the newspaper gags grated and went too far on the stupidity. While the vlogging was quite fun, it could have featured less. Was rather mixed on Koshy, some humorous lines and nice chemistry with the gang (all on fine form) but she also lacked spark and could have had more distinct personality beyond being an internet sensation.
Closing thoughts: Quite good all in all though with reservations.
6.5/10.
Opening thoughts: On first watch, "The Internet on Haunted House Hill" (great clever title and a play on on the title of one of the great Vincent Price's best films) was mostly quite enjoyable. Part of me did feel though that it would have been a better episode if internet videoing/vlogging was my cup of tea and if the guest star (here Liza Koshy) was a more familiar name. Have generally felt that the best 'Scooby Doo and Guess Who' episodes have had guest stars that are familiar names and ones that this reviewer likes in general.
"The Internet on Haunted House Hill" still is quite enjoyable, namely for the atmosphere, setting and villain, all of which inventive and creepy. Do still think though that other 'Scooby Doo and Guess Who' episodes have better guest stars (mixed feelings in this regard) and certainly a lot stronger mysteries (rather ehh on this one) before and since. It is a long way from being one of the worst episodes of the show, but one of the best? Not even close. Worth watching, but not one of the show's essentials.
Good things: A lot of things are good here. The animation is great, loved the eerie looking colours, the villain's character design and the haunted instruments visuals (the animators were definitely having fun there). The music has the usual atmosphere and groove, and while this variation on it is too short the theme song is still timeless. The Scooby Doo franchise always excelled when it came to haunted house settings, one of the most used in the franchise and frequently successfully so.
Really loved the villain, who is one of the most sinister of the season with one of the more inventive character designs. Loved every bit as much the haunted instruments, a very cool and creepy touch imaginatively used. Most of the humour is amusing and doesn't come over as tired or too silly. The vlogs were quite fun.
Bad things: Having said all this, "The Internet on Haunted House Hill" does not have the greatest mystery in the world, actually a bit too thin and too low on twists and surprises. The denouement was not particularly memorable and was on the under-developed side.
While most of the humour works, the newspaper gags grated and went too far on the stupidity. While the vlogging was quite fun, it could have featured less. Was rather mixed on Koshy, some humorous lines and nice chemistry with the gang (all on fine form) but she also lacked spark and could have had more distinct personality beyond being an internet sensation.
Closing thoughts: Quite good all in all though with reservations.
6.5/10.
