Okay, this is my second review. Just as I said in my first review [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.200257-Psychic-Psycho-Reviews-Alpha-Protocol#6719667], I don't think I'm a good writer but I think I get my point across. I didn't think I'd write another review especially not one about a TV show because Video Games are pretty much my only interest, but here we are. I'm hearing very little about this show so I felt that it would be a good idea to write a review for it. It's actually more like impressions based on the first four episodes. Thanks for reading!
The show has nice animation with a streamlined art style.
I wasn't expecting much out of the new animated series, Scooby-Doo: Mystery Incorporated. Aside from the fact I'm not a big fan of Scooby-Doo to begin with, I also had the displeasure of having seen the awful, live-action, made for TV movie Scooby-Doo: Mystery Begins. The new series and the movie's premiers were close enough to assume a connection and worse there was only a one word difference in the titles. Luckily, it turns out the only thing the two have in common is that they're reboots. Luckier still, the show is actually good.
The plot of the first episode of Mystery Inc is not unlike what's found in other Scooby-Doo series. The gang stumbles across a mystery involving a monster (this time a green slime monster), and they try to solve it. What Mystery Inc does differently is that it focuses much more on the characters. Shaggy and Scooby have never had a problem of being bland. The same can't be said of the others. Velma was smart, Fred was the leader, and Daphne was...err the damsel in distress? Mystery Inc tries to, while still remaining familiar, give the characters more personality and depth. This is emphasized when the cartoon shows glimpses of the gang's family life and the relationships with their parents. The show also explores the romantic relationships of Fred and Daphne AND Shaggy and Velma (yup, I'm as surprised as you are). Fortunately, it's rarely used to introduce drama. Instead, it is used much more for comedic purposes. For example, Daphne tries to show her affections for Fred but he is always oblivious to it; Shaggy tries to hide his relationship with Velma from Scooby-Doo as he doesn't wantt to hurt Scooby's feelings.
Along with the shows new take on characters, is a new take on mysteries. As mentioned before the mysteries in each episode are pretty similar to the other series, however Mystery Inc introduces a continuing season-long mystery. The mystery seems to involve the entire town of Crystal Cove, the gang's hometown (not sure why they didn't use Coolsville). The show is more tightly written; each episode is based in and around Crystal Cove. It's an interesting idea that gives the writers a chance to flesh out the characters. For instance, Crystal Cove's economy is dependent on the tourism the town's paranormal history draws in. This makes the gang's parents, as well as the rest of the adults, embrace the mysteries and prefer that they remain unsolved. Shaggy, Fred, Velma, and Daphne on the other hand are curious and want to find out the truth. It's a nice little touch that explains the kids' fascination with mysteries; a sort of generation gap/rebellion. It also gives more meaning to the phrase "those meddling kids".
Like I said, "Those meddling kids and their blasted dog"
Mystery Inc is less campy than the others series. There's not even a groovy theme song for the intro! The usual half-time music video that kicks in when Shaggy and Scooby are being chased by the episode's monsters is also omitted. The show has a slightly spookier tone, the monsters are scarier, and action scenes are more intense. Yes it all makes for the darkest most serious Scooby-Doo series to date! That's not saying much though as the Scooby-Doo cartoons have never been too dark or serious. In reality Mystery Inc is still light-hearted despite removing some the goofiness.
In place of the missing camp, Mystery Inc. seems to have added more humor. The show takes advantage of it's roots. There are several self-referential jokes that poke fun at the franchise's history. Mystery Inc relies much more on its characters for comedy, rather than slapstick as the other series did. Some good examples are: Fred's obsession with Rube-Goldberg style traps, Velma's sarcasm, Daphne's failed attempts at getting Fred's attention, and (of course) Shaggy and Scooby's cowardice/gluttony. It's a nice change of pace to the other comedies on Cartoon Network. Adventure Time, The Misadventures of Flapjack, Chowder, etc. rely too much on randomness and weirdness.
Based only on the first few episodes Mystery Inc. is a strong show, but it has the potential to become even better. The continuing storyline gives an opportunity for character development, which in turn gives the show a better source for joke material. It's one of the things that made Arrested Development so great. The story threads and character growth always lead to more comedy. There have been other sitcoms that contain traces of those elements, however more often than not, it would lead to drama. Mystery Inc does not fall into that trap though. While Mystery Inc is primarily a comedy, it is also fits in the action/adventure/mystery genre. So it wouldn't feel too out of place if some stuff leads to drama, in fact the show might even benefit from it.
The gang gets a call from Mr. E, informing them of a greater mystery
Mystery Inc came as a total surprise for me. It's a refreshing take on a stagnating franchise. The show only has one ad and it does nothing to suggest that it's different than the previous Scooby-Doo cartoons. It's a shame CN doesn't try to give the show more attention because it really is their best show, tied with Batman: The Brave and the Bold. The summer premier, instead of a fall premier, tells you CN doesn't have too much confidence in the series. I guess they're too busy advertising Adventure Time, which is fine since it's one of CN's better shows. What really boggles the mind is why CN continues to hype Unnatural History. They show long, detailed previews of it several times during the day in-between shows. I won't get into it because it will end up being a review-sized rant, but stay away from Unnatural History. If you get a chance give Scooby-Doo: Mystery Incorporated a shot. Hopefully, it won't meet the same fate as recent cartoons like the brilliant Legion of Superheroes and Spectacular Spider-Man.
The show has nice animation with a streamlined art style.
I wasn't expecting much out of the new animated series, Scooby-Doo: Mystery Incorporated. Aside from the fact I'm not a big fan of Scooby-Doo to begin with, I also had the displeasure of having seen the awful, live-action, made for TV movie Scooby-Doo: Mystery Begins. The new series and the movie's premiers were close enough to assume a connection and worse there was only a one word difference in the titles. Luckily, it turns out the only thing the two have in common is that they're reboots. Luckier still, the show is actually good.
The plot of the first episode of Mystery Inc is not unlike what's found in other Scooby-Doo series. The gang stumbles across a mystery involving a monster (this time a green slime monster), and they try to solve it. What Mystery Inc does differently is that it focuses much more on the characters. Shaggy and Scooby have never had a problem of being bland. The same can't be said of the others. Velma was smart, Fred was the leader, and Daphne was...err the damsel in distress? Mystery Inc tries to, while still remaining familiar, give the characters more personality and depth. This is emphasized when the cartoon shows glimpses of the gang's family life and the relationships with their parents. The show also explores the romantic relationships of Fred and Daphne AND Shaggy and Velma (yup, I'm as surprised as you are). Fortunately, it's rarely used to introduce drama. Instead, it is used much more for comedic purposes. For example, Daphne tries to show her affections for Fred but he is always oblivious to it; Shaggy tries to hide his relationship with Velma from Scooby-Doo as he doesn't wantt to hurt Scooby's feelings.
Along with the shows new take on characters, is a new take on mysteries. As mentioned before the mysteries in each episode are pretty similar to the other series, however Mystery Inc introduces a continuing season-long mystery. The mystery seems to involve the entire town of Crystal Cove, the gang's hometown (not sure why they didn't use Coolsville). The show is more tightly written; each episode is based in and around Crystal Cove. It's an interesting idea that gives the writers a chance to flesh out the characters. For instance, Crystal Cove's economy is dependent on the tourism the town's paranormal history draws in. This makes the gang's parents, as well as the rest of the adults, embrace the mysteries and prefer that they remain unsolved. Shaggy, Fred, Velma, and Daphne on the other hand are curious and want to find out the truth. It's a nice little touch that explains the kids' fascination with mysteries; a sort of generation gap/rebellion. It also gives more meaning to the phrase "those meddling kids".
Like I said, "Those meddling kids and their blasted dog"
Mystery Inc is less campy than the others series. There's not even a groovy theme song for the intro! The usual half-time music video that kicks in when Shaggy and Scooby are being chased by the episode's monsters is also omitted. The show has a slightly spookier tone, the monsters are scarier, and action scenes are more intense. Yes it all makes for the darkest most serious Scooby-Doo series to date! That's not saying much though as the Scooby-Doo cartoons have never been too dark or serious. In reality Mystery Inc is still light-hearted despite removing some the goofiness.
In place of the missing camp, Mystery Inc. seems to have added more humor. The show takes advantage of it's roots. There are several self-referential jokes that poke fun at the franchise's history. Mystery Inc relies much more on its characters for comedy, rather than slapstick as the other series did. Some good examples are: Fred's obsession with Rube-Goldberg style traps, Velma's sarcasm, Daphne's failed attempts at getting Fred's attention, and (of course) Shaggy and Scooby's cowardice/gluttony. It's a nice change of pace to the other comedies on Cartoon Network. Adventure Time, The Misadventures of Flapjack, Chowder, etc. rely too much on randomness and weirdness.
Based only on the first few episodes Mystery Inc. is a strong show, but it has the potential to become even better. The continuing storyline gives an opportunity for character development, which in turn gives the show a better source for joke material. It's one of the things that made Arrested Development so great. The story threads and character growth always lead to more comedy. There have been other sitcoms that contain traces of those elements, however more often than not, it would lead to drama. Mystery Inc does not fall into that trap though. While Mystery Inc is primarily a comedy, it is also fits in the action/adventure/mystery genre. So it wouldn't feel too out of place if some stuff leads to drama, in fact the show might even benefit from it.
The gang gets a call from Mr. E, informing them of a greater mystery
Mystery Inc came as a total surprise for me. It's a refreshing take on a stagnating franchise. The show only has one ad and it does nothing to suggest that it's different than the previous Scooby-Doo cartoons. It's a shame CN doesn't try to give the show more attention because it really is their best show, tied with Batman: The Brave and the Bold. The summer premier, instead of a fall premier, tells you CN doesn't have too much confidence in the series. I guess they're too busy advertising Adventure Time, which is fine since it's one of CN's better shows. What really boggles the mind is why CN continues to hype Unnatural History. They show long, detailed previews of it several times during the day in-between shows. I won't get into it because it will end up being a review-sized rant, but stay away from Unnatural History. If you get a chance give Scooby-Doo: Mystery Incorporated a shot. Hopefully, it won't meet the same fate as recent cartoons like the brilliant Legion of Superheroes and Spectacular Spider-Man.
