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.
"Gremlin on a Plane" is not the first Scooby Doo episode to have a gremlin as the villain. 'The New Scooby and Scrappy Doo Show's' "The Fall Dog", one of the better episodes of that uneven show, had one too, but 'Be Cool Scooby Doo's' "Gremlin on a Plane" is the better episode, both as a Scooby Doo episode and one in its own right as an episode for anything. It isn't a classic or flawless, but it is hugely entertaining and signs of 'Be Cool Scooby Doo' hitting its stride.
Most of 'Be Cool Scooby Doo's' reveals were predictable, and that for "Gremlin on a Plane" is one of the most prematurely obvious ones. Actually knew who was responsible almost immediately due to once again the suspects being too few, which did take away from the suspense factor, and the motive wasn't a massive surprise either if not as foreseeable.
As much as it pains me to be critical of this aspect in all my reviews for the show, the animation just never worked for me personally despite liking a lot most of everything else. It has never looked attractive and instead looks scrappy, flat and borderline psychedelic looking.
However, the humour is spot on. Captain Anderson is a joy of a character and has the best lines, while the whale with the parachute was a hoot. Really liked the villain, one that was both cool and menacing as Scooby Doo villains ought to be in my book. Of the gang, the standout moment humour-wise was Shaggy and the relax button.
The mystery is not too hard to follow while mostly not being too simple, while also having a lot of energy and quirkiness as well as the right amount of creepiness. 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.
Very well done episode overall. 8/10.
"Gremlin on a Plane" is not the first Scooby Doo episode to have a gremlin as the villain. 'The New Scooby and Scrappy Doo Show's' "The Fall Dog", one of the better episodes of that uneven show, had one too, but 'Be Cool Scooby Doo's' "Gremlin on a Plane" is the better episode, both as a Scooby Doo episode and one in its own right as an episode for anything. It isn't a classic or flawless, but it is hugely entertaining and signs of 'Be Cool Scooby Doo' hitting its stride.
Most of 'Be Cool Scooby Doo's' reveals were predictable, and that for "Gremlin on a Plane" is one of the most prematurely obvious ones. Actually knew who was responsible almost immediately due to once again the suspects being too few, which did take away from the suspense factor, and the motive wasn't a massive surprise either if not as foreseeable.
As much as it pains me to be critical of this aspect in all my reviews for the show, the animation just never worked for me personally despite liking a lot most of everything else. It has never looked attractive and instead looks scrappy, flat and borderline psychedelic looking.
However, the humour is spot on. Captain Anderson is a joy of a character and has the best lines, while the whale with the parachute was a hoot. Really liked the villain, one that was both cool and menacing as Scooby Doo villains ought to be in my book. Of the gang, the standout moment humour-wise was Shaggy and the relax button.
The mystery is not too hard to follow while mostly not being too simple, while also having a lot of energy and quirkiness as well as the right amount of creepiness. 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.
Very well done episode overall. 8/10.
