Really liked "The Sludge Monster from the Earth's Core" on first watch, and even as a child it was to me one of the better 'A Pup Named Scooby Doo' episodes. Especially for Scooby's doghouse and the villain and there are a couple of things that are improved upon here. The show does not have a great reputation with fans, but personally have always found a lot to like about it (while also some issues) and consider it one of the better 80s Scooby Doo shows.
"The Sludge Monster from the Earth's Core" still is to me an immensely enjoyable episode and one of the best 'A Pup Named Scooby Doo' episodes, the things that stood out on first watch still standing out now. While liking "A Bicycle Built for Boo", this is better with what bothered me about that episode not bothering me as much here. It isn't perfect, but even the few issues aren't that massive and were done a lot worse in other episodes. As well as far outweighed by the numerous good things.
Fred is still annoying, if not quite as much. He's just too dumbed down, being a very stupid character (even blaming a character for being the monster when the character is practically right next to him) and not the leader of the group, and his conspiracy theories and rash conclusion jumping grate. Daphne also came over as condescending at times, with a few uncalled for snobbish remarks to and about Scooby.
Was not surprised by the identity of the culprit with the incriminating clue being another prematurely obvious one, though the episode actually did do a good job making one think it was somebody else (one of the better episodes of the show to do this).
It does have to be said though that the denouement is a lot better than the one in "A Bicycle Built for Boo", due to the reasoning for the culprit's actions being a lot clearer. As the episode actually explained (without overdoing it) why Scooby's house was used as the hideout, why that particular location and how they got there. The writing didn't come over as childish, apart from with Fred (though the bit at Red Herring's house was amusing), actually thought it was quite clever and witty and actually liked its increased broadness and goofiness. Shaggy and Scooby's bank accounts gag was priceless. The humour is at its best though when it's more self-aware, seen in the fourth wall breaking with the clue finding and the summings up in the reveal. The mystery is lively and wacky, personally didn't think it was too baby-ish even with it being more geared towards younger viewers with the gang as kids.
Standing out in particular and what made the episode as good as it is were two things. One was Scooby's doghouse (or at least the inside of it), which is amazing and my personal favourite of all the show's locations. Amazing at how something so tiny and ordinary on the outside is the opposite in a good way inside. The other is the villain, who is one of the most uniquely designed ones of the show and also one of the creepiest. His first appearance is actually very scary.
Furthermore, the animation is bright and colourful, especially loved it for the interiors of Scooby's doghouse and the creepy sewer tunnel. Also loved the big, wacky Tex Avery like reaction expressions. The music is very catchy, with the theme tune being the most memorable and fun one of the 80s Scooby Doo incarnations. John Debney always delivered on providing music that made one sing along and toe tap and that is the case with the songs featured. Especially the one in the sewer tunnel. Even as kids, Shaggy and Scooby are actually pretty true to their original personalities and Velma is still the brains of the group while not having her know it all trait overdone (like it has been in the newer incarnations). The voice acting is strong.
Concluding, very enjoyable. 8/10.
"The Sludge Monster from the Earth's Core" still is to me an immensely enjoyable episode and one of the best 'A Pup Named Scooby Doo' episodes, the things that stood out on first watch still standing out now. While liking "A Bicycle Built for Boo", this is better with what bothered me about that episode not bothering me as much here. It isn't perfect, but even the few issues aren't that massive and were done a lot worse in other episodes. As well as far outweighed by the numerous good things.
Fred is still annoying, if not quite as much. He's just too dumbed down, being a very stupid character (even blaming a character for being the monster when the character is practically right next to him) and not the leader of the group, and his conspiracy theories and rash conclusion jumping grate. Daphne also came over as condescending at times, with a few uncalled for snobbish remarks to and about Scooby.
Was not surprised by the identity of the culprit with the incriminating clue being another prematurely obvious one, though the episode actually did do a good job making one think it was somebody else (one of the better episodes of the show to do this).
It does have to be said though that the denouement is a lot better than the one in "A Bicycle Built for Boo", due to the reasoning for the culprit's actions being a lot clearer. As the episode actually explained (without overdoing it) why Scooby's house was used as the hideout, why that particular location and how they got there. The writing didn't come over as childish, apart from with Fred (though the bit at Red Herring's house was amusing), actually thought it was quite clever and witty and actually liked its increased broadness and goofiness. Shaggy and Scooby's bank accounts gag was priceless. The humour is at its best though when it's more self-aware, seen in the fourth wall breaking with the clue finding and the summings up in the reveal. The mystery is lively and wacky, personally didn't think it was too baby-ish even with it being more geared towards younger viewers with the gang as kids.
Standing out in particular and what made the episode as good as it is were two things. One was Scooby's doghouse (or at least the inside of it), which is amazing and my personal favourite of all the show's locations. Amazing at how something so tiny and ordinary on the outside is the opposite in a good way inside. The other is the villain, who is one of the most uniquely designed ones of the show and also one of the creepiest. His first appearance is actually very scary.
Furthermore, the animation is bright and colourful, especially loved it for the interiors of Scooby's doghouse and the creepy sewer tunnel. Also loved the big, wacky Tex Avery like reaction expressions. The music is very catchy, with the theme tune being the most memorable and fun one of the 80s Scooby Doo incarnations. John Debney always delivered on providing music that made one sing along and toe tap and that is the case with the songs featured. Especially the one in the sewer tunnel. Even as kids, Shaggy and Scooby are actually pretty true to their original personalities and Velma is still the brains of the group while not having her know it all trait overdone (like it has been in the newer incarnations). The voice acting is strong.
Concluding, very enjoyable. 8/10.
