1 review
Scooby a La Mode
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.
Really liked the idea for "Kitchen Frightmare" and it is one of those scenarios where Scooby and Shaggy would be right at home at, with stories set around food having been done at least once in almost every Scooby Doo incarnation. Found it a pretty good episode on first watch, if not liking it as much as most of the previous episodes. Still do find "Kitchen Frightmare" pretty good, though it did have potential to be better and it was disappointing and a usually good aspect disappoints.
Was not surprised at the animation not being particularly good, the animation style never appealed to me even when first getting into the show when it first started airing and never really got better. The flat, rushed looking and psychedelically coloured look still remaining here. Was also not surprised to not be that wowed by the reveal as they are usually very easy to figure out on 'Be Cool Scooby Doo', the low suspect count and that the motive is familiar made it very predictable.
It was saddening though to not like Daphne very much in this episode, usually her characterisation has been very funny (there are times where she manages to be funnier than Shaggy and Scooby) and refreshingly quirky, showing how far she has come on since 'Scooby Doo Where are You'. Here in "Kitchen Frightmare" however she grates with her stand up comedy routining being over-worked and cringe inducing.
On the other hand, there is a good deal to like here. The music is energetic and upbeat, fitting the show's quirky tone to a tee. Most of the humour does work, especially with Shaggy and Scooby like with the cheese. Absolutely love their characters and chemistry and always have, the gang's chemistry in general entertains a good deal. Velma in brain overload was a highlight too.
Loved the episode's energy without it coming over as too hectic and the mystery is lively and atmospheric, even with surprises being few, and inventive and affectionate use of the setting. One that really makes one want to cook. The monster is very cool, menacing and not goofy. The voice acting is very good.
Summing up, pretty good. 7/10.
Really liked the idea for "Kitchen Frightmare" and it is one of those scenarios where Scooby and Shaggy would be right at home at, with stories set around food having been done at least once in almost every Scooby Doo incarnation. Found it a pretty good episode on first watch, if not liking it as much as most of the previous episodes. Still do find "Kitchen Frightmare" pretty good, though it did have potential to be better and it was disappointing and a usually good aspect disappoints.
Was not surprised at the animation not being particularly good, the animation style never appealed to me even when first getting into the show when it first started airing and never really got better. The flat, rushed looking and psychedelically coloured look still remaining here. Was also not surprised to not be that wowed by the reveal as they are usually very easy to figure out on 'Be Cool Scooby Doo', the low suspect count and that the motive is familiar made it very predictable.
It was saddening though to not like Daphne very much in this episode, usually her characterisation has been very funny (there are times where she manages to be funnier than Shaggy and Scooby) and refreshingly quirky, showing how far she has come on since 'Scooby Doo Where are You'. Here in "Kitchen Frightmare" however she grates with her stand up comedy routining being over-worked and cringe inducing.
On the other hand, there is a good deal to like here. The music is energetic and upbeat, fitting the show's quirky tone to a tee. Most of the humour does work, especially with Shaggy and Scooby like with the cheese. Absolutely love their characters and chemistry and always have, the gang's chemistry in general entertains a good deal. Velma in brain overload was a highlight too.
Loved the episode's energy without it coming over as too hectic and the mystery is lively and atmospheric, even with surprises being few, and inventive and affectionate use of the setting. One that really makes one want to cook. The monster is very cool, menacing and not goofy. The voice acting is very good.
Summing up, pretty good. 7/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Aug 3, 2022
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