Have often seen 'A Pup Named Scooby Doo' called one of the worst Scooby Doo incarnations. Personally do not agree, this was actually one of the shows seen later than most of the shows in the franchise but even when going into teenagehood this struck me as flawed but very enjoyable (though some episodes were expectedly better than others). As a young adult in my 30s, my feelings are pretty much the same and actually like it a little more. Which really surprised me considering the primary target audience, which if to stereotype is in the younger age bracket.
"A Bicycle Built for Boo" was one of the episodes liked but not loved on first watch, although Fred annoyed me and the reveal disappointed a little there was a lot to like about the humour, settings and monster. Through young adult eyes, "A Bicycle Built for Boo" is still one of the liked but not loved episodes and an enjoyable start to one of the more underrated shows in the franchise. With it doing a great job establishing the show's tone and introducing the characters.
It is not a perfect episode. It's only the first episode and Fred is annoying, he's just too dumbed down, being a very stupid character and not the leader of the group, and his conspiracy theories and rash conclusion jumping already got repetitive even halfway through the episode. Have always found the animation of the dancing in the chase sequence really odd, rushed looking and goofy.
Still do find the reveal disappointing. Did like the summing up of the suspects, the reasoning for why and how the conclusions were reached through the fourth wall breaking. What brought it down was the over obviousness of the culprit's identity, actually knew who it was halfway through with the incriminating clue (which was also easy to spot early on) giving them away almost immediately. And also how underdeveloped the reasoning for the taking of Shaggy's bike, with the reason for that being the only option not being explained.
On the other hand, there is a lot to like about "A Bicycle Built for Boo". The animation is bright and colourful, especially loved it for the backgrounds for Weirdi Woods and the haunted house. 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.
The writing didn't come over as childish, apart from with Fred, actually thought it was quite clever and witty and actually liked its increased broadness and goofiness. 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, and the monster is wonderfully outlandish and at times creepy.
While not caring for Fred, there was no issue with the rest of the gang. 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). Daphne is not too passive. Red Herring is good fun in his screen time. The voice acting is all fine, Casey Kasem and Don Messick are still unbeatable as Shaggy and Scooby.
In summary, enjoyable start. 7/10.
"A Bicycle Built for Boo" was one of the episodes liked but not loved on first watch, although Fred annoyed me and the reveal disappointed a little there was a lot to like about the humour, settings and monster. Through young adult eyes, "A Bicycle Built for Boo" is still one of the liked but not loved episodes and an enjoyable start to one of the more underrated shows in the franchise. With it doing a great job establishing the show's tone and introducing the characters.
It is not a perfect episode. It's only the first episode and Fred is annoying, he's just too dumbed down, being a very stupid character and not the leader of the group, and his conspiracy theories and rash conclusion jumping already got repetitive even halfway through the episode. Have always found the animation of the dancing in the chase sequence really odd, rushed looking and goofy.
Still do find the reveal disappointing. Did like the summing up of the suspects, the reasoning for why and how the conclusions were reached through the fourth wall breaking. What brought it down was the over obviousness of the culprit's identity, actually knew who it was halfway through with the incriminating clue (which was also easy to spot early on) giving them away almost immediately. And also how underdeveloped the reasoning for the taking of Shaggy's bike, with the reason for that being the only option not being explained.
On the other hand, there is a lot to like about "A Bicycle Built for Boo". The animation is bright and colourful, especially loved it for the backgrounds for Weirdi Woods and the haunted house. 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.
The writing didn't come over as childish, apart from with Fred, actually thought it was quite clever and witty and actually liked its increased broadness and goofiness. 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, and the monster is wonderfully outlandish and at times creepy.
While not caring for Fred, there was no issue with the rest of the gang. 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). Daphne is not too passive. Red Herring is good fun in his screen time. The voice acting is all fine, Casey Kasem and Don Messick are still unbeatable as Shaggy and Scooby.
In summary, enjoyable start. 7/10.
