This episode takes place in an Australian sand castle tournament. The general premise is that a coral monster is kidnapping the sand castle builders however things are not as they seem as we learn in at the end. Suspects include a very loud band that knocks down sand castles with their loud music, two surfers, and all of the sand castle builders. One partially explained scene that left me confused after Velma solved the mystery is when Scooby and Shaggy are almost dragged into the sea by seaweed and then a rubber tube is found. Velma at first thinks this tube came from the monster, but then it becomes clear that it came from a pair of upside-down surfers. As always, Fred's plan ends up something along the lines of "Run!" although this time he doesn't need a trap to catch the criminal.
5 Reviews
Reef Grief!
MrFilmAndTelevisionShow19 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
One of the only episodes to features the monster being real. That doesn't happen often (until Mystery Inc of course) but for this series it was almost unheard of, the only other example I can think of is the automated house that tried to drown people in the bathroom and whatnot. This unique spin on things I felt was a good idea, again not the best episode of all time but a good one nonetheless.
Beach beastie
TheLittleSongbird27 December 2021
Summer and Scooby Doo are a great mix, and beach settings suit the franchise well too. Have always loved it when creepy and suitably bizarre mysteries are investigated and solved in exotic locations, and "Reef Grief" definitely has that. "Reef Grief" was one of those episodes that left me mixed on first watch and where memories before rewatching were quite vague. But it is because so many other episodes of the show have villains so memorable and have things that set them apart.
There are episodes that didn't do much for me on first watch and where memories weren't vivid and weren't much better on rewatch, "Wrestle Maniacs" and "Diamonds are a Ghoul's Best Friend" being the prime examples. Then there are others that are much better by today's standards, have a much higher appreciation for "A Scooby Doo Valentine" and "Camp Comeoniwannascareya". "Reef Grief" is in the latter category and also has an interest point not picked up upon on first viewing.
The Scooby Doo franchise always delivered when it came to effective settings, that are a mix of exotic, haunting or a bit of both. When the setting is used well too, it makes things even better. The beach setting is immesely vibrant in the animation and made me want to be there monster or not. Could also feel its warmth. Even better is the character design and animation of the Reef monster, very creepy and not goofy. It does stand out from the rest too.
Musically, "Reef Grief" is great. Very catchy and not discordant with the action, the chase song is one of the instances where the energy that is already present in the story is enhanced. The theme song is one of the franchise's catchiest. Most of the humour is funny and easy to endear to, can never get enough of Shaggy and Scooby. The voice acting is on point.
Did like the mystery on the whole. It is at times on the familiar side, but it does stand out for the cool looking and creepy Reef Monster and also the knockout ending that is even more unpredictable than those for "Toy Scary Boo", "Mummy Scares Best", "Simple Plan and the Invisible Madman" and "Go West Young Scoob". Up to this point, it was pretty unique for the franchise too.
By all means, "Reef Grief" isn't perfect, with occasions where it looks rushed and when the material is a little forced. Do wish too that more explanation was given for how Shaggy and Scooby nearly got dragged into the sea.
In short, very good and another better than remembered episode. 8/10.
There are episodes that didn't do much for me on first watch and where memories weren't vivid and weren't much better on rewatch, "Wrestle Maniacs" and "Diamonds are a Ghoul's Best Friend" being the prime examples. Then there are others that are much better by today's standards, have a much higher appreciation for "A Scooby Doo Valentine" and "Camp Comeoniwannascareya". "Reef Grief" is in the latter category and also has an interest point not picked up upon on first viewing.
The Scooby Doo franchise always delivered when it came to effective settings, that are a mix of exotic, haunting or a bit of both. When the setting is used well too, it makes things even better. The beach setting is immesely vibrant in the animation and made me want to be there monster or not. Could also feel its warmth. Even better is the character design and animation of the Reef monster, very creepy and not goofy. It does stand out from the rest too.
Musically, "Reef Grief" is great. Very catchy and not discordant with the action, the chase song is one of the instances where the energy that is already present in the story is enhanced. The theme song is one of the franchise's catchiest. Most of the humour is funny and easy to endear to, can never get enough of Shaggy and Scooby. The voice acting is on point.
Did like the mystery on the whole. It is at times on the familiar side, but it does stand out for the cool looking and creepy Reef Monster and also the knockout ending that is even more unpredictable than those for "Toy Scary Boo", "Mummy Scares Best", "Simple Plan and the Invisible Madman" and "Go West Young Scoob". Up to this point, it was pretty unique for the franchise too.
By all means, "Reef Grief" isn't perfect, with occasions where it looks rushed and when the material is a little forced. Do wish too that more explanation was given for how Shaggy and Scooby nearly got dragged into the sea.
In short, very good and another better than remembered episode. 8/10.
Unpacking "Reef Grief": A Scooby-Doo Adventure Worth Watching, but with Room for Improvement
hdoerr-0210810 January 2024
I recently watched the "Reef Grief" episode and I must say I was pretty impressed. The story was engaging and kept me hooked from start to finish. The animation was top-notch, and the characters were as loveable as ever. The plot had a nice twist towards the end, which made it even more exciting.
However, there were a few things that needed improvement. The episode's pacing was sometimes slow, and the humor felt slightly forced. Additionally, the villain's motive felt weak and underdeveloped.
I would give "Reef Grief" a solid 7 out of 10 stars. While it may not be the best episode of the series, it's worth a watch for any fan of the gang and their crazy adventures.
However, there were a few things that needed improvement. The episode's pacing was sometimes slow, and the humor felt slightly forced. Additionally, the villain's motive felt weak and underdeveloped.
I would give "Reef Grief" a solid 7 out of 10 stars. While it may not be the best episode of the series, it's worth a watch for any fan of the gang and their crazy adventures.
Beach bonanza
MarkLynnIreland129426 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Seen this episode on DVD a few times and didn't much like it first time viewed it.
If there's anything likeable is got the appearance of Steve Harwell and band Smash Mouth (known for soundtrack All Star played in Shrek movie) and perform the chase scene music in this one. Setting of the beach is good. Bit of a laugh like of Fred's one-man volleyball where he always win and (as Velma points out) he also always lose.
In terms of solving the mystery, bit like the next (and final) episode of Scooby-Doo: the ending here is unique yet still has some questions with no explained answers - which makes it no as great as last few minutes of great and unexpected twist like Toy Scary Boo episode or Egyptian mummy one (though there's a hypnotist again). I still find it hard to believe that the coral thing is genuine and yet there's an actual villain in the whole sandcastle builders disappearing.
If there's anything likeable is got the appearance of Steve Harwell and band Smash Mouth (known for soundtrack All Star played in Shrek movie) and perform the chase scene music in this one. Setting of the beach is good. Bit of a laugh like of Fred's one-man volleyball where he always win and (as Velma points out) he also always lose.
In terms of solving the mystery, bit like the next (and final) episode of Scooby-Doo: the ending here is unique yet still has some questions with no explained answers - which makes it no as great as last few minutes of great and unexpected twist like Toy Scary Boo episode or Egyptian mummy one (though there's a hypnotist again). I still find it hard to believe that the coral thing is genuine and yet there's an actual villain in the whole sandcastle builders disappearing.
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