Despite being a massive Scooby Doo fan for goodness knows how long, expectations were somehow not high for 'Be Cool Scooby Doo' prior to giving it a chance. The advertising in my mind was terrible and the animation style, one of the franchise's least appealing, was very off putting. Still gave it a chance as a fan of the franchise and of animation in general and there are films and shows that have bad advertising but turn out to be good and this was one of them.
The first half of Season 1 was rather inconsistent, though neither of the episodes fit my definition of bad, but the second half felt much more settled with a higher number of very good and more episodes. Something that was actually even stronger in Season 2. One of the best episodes of Season 1 for me was "Into the Mouth of Madcap", the Scooby Doo franchise has done circus/carnival/amusement park settings numerous times and mostly very, very well and "Into the Mouth of Madcap" compares favourably.
Very little wrong here actually, but the animation is not really to my taste and it never was, it did get better in Season 2 but almost every other Scooby Doo show fared better in the animation style (with only 'Get a Clue' being worse). Here though, it has never looked attractive and instead looks scrappy, flat and borderline psychedelic looking, excepting the character design for Madcap.
Everything else is great and more. Absolutely loved the boardwalk amusement park setting, which gave off a nostalgic and creepy vibe that reminded me very fondly of old Scooby Doo. Madcap the Clown is a terrific villain, genuinely frightening yet immensely fun and is not going to change the minds of anybody already with a fear of clowns. The atmosphere is like the setting, very eerie but also colourful and nostalgic.
"Into the Mouth of Madcap" is on point with the humour, with the jokes being great fun and not predictable or corny. Loved the balloon animals and Wayne is fun. The mystery is lively and atmospheric, with a reveal that was not expected and different (not one of the numerous easy to figure out quickly endings seen in most previous episodes) and also loved the mix of old and new. With it having the old Scooby Doo creepiness while maintaining 'Be Cool Scooby Doo's' usual quirkiness. Couldn't help thinking of 'Scooby Doo Where are You' at points, with some smart, affectionate referencing to "Bedlam at the Big Top" and "Foul Play at Funland" (both show high points). Or at least that was what it felt like.
Have no issues with the gang, Shaggy and Scooby are always a delight and Daphne continues to be refreshing. The writing is funny and smart and the quirkiness still endears. The music fits with the tone of the show and the voice acting is on point all round.
Concluding, great. 9/10.
The first half of Season 1 was rather inconsistent, though neither of the episodes fit my definition of bad, but the second half felt much more settled with a higher number of very good and more episodes. Something that was actually even stronger in Season 2. One of the best episodes of Season 1 for me was "Into the Mouth of Madcap", the Scooby Doo franchise has done circus/carnival/amusement park settings numerous times and mostly very, very well and "Into the Mouth of Madcap" compares favourably.
Very little wrong here actually, but the animation is not really to my taste and it never was, it did get better in Season 2 but almost every other Scooby Doo show fared better in the animation style (with only 'Get a Clue' being worse). Here though, it has never looked attractive and instead looks scrappy, flat and borderline psychedelic looking, excepting the character design for Madcap.
Everything else is great and more. Absolutely loved the boardwalk amusement park setting, which gave off a nostalgic and creepy vibe that reminded me very fondly of old Scooby Doo. Madcap the Clown is a terrific villain, genuinely frightening yet immensely fun and is not going to change the minds of anybody already with a fear of clowns. The atmosphere is like the setting, very eerie but also colourful and nostalgic.
"Into the Mouth of Madcap" is on point with the humour, with the jokes being great fun and not predictable or corny. Loved the balloon animals and Wayne is fun. The mystery is lively and atmospheric, with a reveal that was not expected and different (not one of the numerous easy to figure out quickly endings seen in most previous episodes) and also loved the mix of old and new. With it having the old Scooby Doo creepiness while maintaining 'Be Cool Scooby Doo's' usual quirkiness. Couldn't help thinking of 'Scooby Doo Where are You' at points, with some smart, affectionate referencing to "Bedlam at the Big Top" and "Foul Play at Funland" (both show high points). Or at least that was what it felt like.
Have no issues with the gang, Shaggy and Scooby are always a delight and Daphne continues to be refreshing. The writing is funny and smart and the quirkiness still endears. The music fits with the tone of the show and the voice acting is on point all round.
Concluding, great. 9/10.
