Post by scoobylover on Jan 12, 2023 8:37:59 GMT -5
Can't believe Im finally reviewing this.. it's been ages since it was announced and I am so happy it's finally here and omg did it surpass my expectations. The pilot was strong, straight to the point, hilarious, fleshes out the character and 10/10 sets the tone for the rest of the series. It just makes me CRAVE more and more so when a series is able to that, thats a winning point.
So let's start off with the characters. Only one episode in and I'm obsessed with almost everyone:
- Velma is snarky, petty, bitchy but flawed and deep like I wanted her to be. I love to death SDMI Velma, and although this Velma is so far not on the same level as SDMI's, it's most likely gonna rise up to second best, if this is the way the show is going. She is very much the Velma I've always known in adult sauce. It's like, what if Velma from Scooby-Doo was actually realistic and representative of nowadays' teens. It just works. It's not the main line of franchise's Velma, it's just a new variant, a new version, but still recognizable and lovable. I love her outbursts and she clearly has quite a lot bottled up and we see how that will work. Also, no one can't tell me that "how is this Velma? she's so bitchy and unlikable" when this is literally a much more toned down version than SDMI Velma. Anyways, I love her backstory and can't wait for her gay arc to start, and the hallucinations are a great touch to he characterization.
- Norville is probably my favorite in this episode and the one that most reminds me of Shaggy. Nothing will beat Matthew Lillard or Casey Kasem of course but Sam Richardson does a great job at portraying him since we were told that this version of the character is called Norville because it was before of his "Shaggyfication". Most likely he will find out about drugs and become much more chill and laid back. Anyways, I still find him so true to the OG character for some reason. I know it's a very controversial opinion, but he's just as hilariously stupid and oblivious and ADHD-y than his counterpart in the franchise. However, he finally is likeable for once, even adorable dare I say. I can see him become my favorite character, which is ironic since I lately have been disliking Shaggy in the latest movies and series. I find him to be quite useless and an impediment for the gang and it can get so boring and childish when he and Scooby are on the scene, not even kids would laugh at some of their jokes not gonna lie. Anyways, I love how they went with him and took his best traits and upped them to an enjoyable extent.
- Fred is hilarious, ok? I thought I was gonna HATE him, also he's got the worst design Im sorry. He's just so unrecognizable, I swear Norville is more close to Shaggy's design than this. Anyways, I was scared but damn is he just the funniest one of the bunch. He's so endearingly stupid and it fits so well with his character because since MI he's always been the dumb one, even in Be Cool he would pretend to be leadery but end up in the most ridiculous situations. So yeah, I find him to be the same Fred I always loved and wanted to protect at all costs. I loved when he sat down to listen to Velma's story. Like, I did not expect it at all but I saw it and it made total sense. I love the depth of character it shows in him. So yeah, he might become my second favorite. Also his puberty backstory was so funny and can't wait to see how it progresses.
- Daphne, my beloved Daphne... mmh let's see, probably the one I don't still have an opinion on. I mean I LOVE her design and she can be pretty funny. I was laughing for the entire "Well Well Well" scene, ngl. But somehow I haven't been able to place her in the show yet. Like, I need more to find an opinion, and I'm sure I will cuz Ive read in reviews she's basically gonna be the second protagonist and the one with the most growth. Regardless, I do really like this version of her, she is a badass and even if popular and wanna be mean you can tell she has some tender in her heart just like the version we all know and love. She looks faceted and ready to shed her skin but I will have to wait and see more of her to judge. Still love her though and I love how she's the pop reference girlie like any true queen B.
- Now for the side characters. I'm O B S E S S E D with Krista... well, until she died. I adore Debby Ryan and her voice, she makes the character insanely funny. I was histerically laughing every time she was on screen and they missed a huge opportunity to keep her on screen. Even though we haven't heard much from the other populars, I'm praying they can match Krista cause she was something else. Debby Ryan you deserve an Emmy for this role alone. Hope we get to see some flashbacks or something also because Shay Mitchell is supposed to voice Brenda but she is dead(?) so yeah we'll see what goes on forward. The horny song was everything and I love that they hosted the memorial in a malt shop. I need more of Krista or I'll be insufferable about her death. Also, I'm calling it from now, Sophie might be the killer, she's the stereotypical too good to be good character. She looks like a bitch, though she is funny as hell with her baby antics. Daphne's moms are so entertaining, I love how they switch and complement each other's craziness. I wanna see more interactions with them and their daughter. Amman is probably the most annoying character imo so far. I don't like his relationship with Velma but I've seen many screenshots of them together so probably it will grow to be better. Maybe the disappearance of Diya has something to do with their fall out. Anyways, that's pretty much it, can't wait to see the rest of the characters in action especially the popular girls.
Now for the voice acting:
100000/10. Mindy Kaling is the best Velma we've had since Mindy Cohn, she fits the role so well and just adapted immediately to Velma's character imo, I don't even recall how Mindy looks like, I hear her and think of this Velma. So great job to match the role. The other three have not yet to achieve the same level for their role but they are FANTASTIC. From Constance's bitchy character yet obviously a facade that's hiding more that she wants other to see, to Glenn's obnoxious yet lovably stupid Fred, to Sam's hyper and oblivious Shaggy. They all work so well, so so well. The comedic timing is everything and especially in a show that is so fast paced such as this, they all did an incredible job. Again, my highlight was Debby Ryan, like wow. Fortune Feimster is the only one I was like meh with Olive (the popular blonde) but again, I have not heard enough from her at all. Also, Wanda Sykes and Jane Lynch are the comedy duo we DID know we needed but until know it wasn't reality but here we are, let's cherish their genius back and forths. Although I am not a fan of Amman, Russel Peters fits him like a glove and Melissa Fumero still needs to impress me with Sophie. Once again, Debby Ryan you slayed... and got slayed.
Onto the animation:
Wow, honestly one of the best we've seen even though Scooby always went strong on the animation part. Still was impressed at the way it flowed so well and for the pace the show goes at, it just feels like you constantly wanna say "how the hell did they manage to convey that?". The designs are great, the backgrounds are incredibly detailed, the colors are so addictively bright and layered, like the shadows and lighting, the hand palms you guys, the HAND PALMS, they got them right too. I love how detailed this world is and it doesn't come close to any adult animation worlds we've seen, like it's its own thing. It doesn't beat Harley Quinn's designs and animation but it comes close second. I love it so much and omg let me not even begin with the hallucinations. They are pure art, incredible, showstopping, neverbeendone before. Honestly, blown away.
Writing:
I loved loved loved the writing, it is so sharp, so direct, no time is waste, the references are spot-on and hilarious, there is everything from hype meta jokes, to social commentary, to pure stand-up comedy moments to slapstick, to gore humor, to sex jokes. I am obsessed with the writer's pen. And I am so intrigued by the story, like not only we get to have super fleshed out characters with backstories and full characterizations in one episode but they have time for the progression of a murder mystery and still keep in thrilling? Also, you don't just laugh constantly but you have time to even get scared by the sudden super creepy hallucinations, some jump scares (yes I jumped at Fred coming out from behind the trash bins) and feel sad for the vulnerable back stories (so far only for Velma's). This is strong and clearly pro writing, my only complaint is that the episodes are too short and could have benefited from much more time to take everything in. Like, I'm on my fourth rewatch and did not have time to notice many easter eggs and dialogues. I keep on pausing fishing for more and there are a lot, even some that not one of those dumb "omg I really am a Scooby fan, they ruined my childhood" Twitter trolls would NEVER notice because they probably watched the show as kids and came back on twitter to just jump on the hate train. For example, not only do we have the Creeper's mask, and the wanted posters of past villains, but I noticed a poster with the "Fighting Urchins" of Crystal Cove High on the high school walls. The same Fighting Urchins from Mystery Inc. so for those who are worried, YES, they did watch the show...
Anyways, this was truly a win, the only CON I can come up with is the episode length as it would have benefitted from more time to digest everything.
Score of episode 1:
9.8/10
So let's start off with the characters. Only one episode in and I'm obsessed with almost everyone:
- Velma is snarky, petty, bitchy but flawed and deep like I wanted her to be. I love to death SDMI Velma, and although this Velma is so far not on the same level as SDMI's, it's most likely gonna rise up to second best, if this is the way the show is going. She is very much the Velma I've always known in adult sauce. It's like, what if Velma from Scooby-Doo was actually realistic and representative of nowadays' teens. It just works. It's not the main line of franchise's Velma, it's just a new variant, a new version, but still recognizable and lovable. I love her outbursts and she clearly has quite a lot bottled up and we see how that will work. Also, no one can't tell me that "how is this Velma? she's so bitchy and unlikable" when this is literally a much more toned down version than SDMI Velma. Anyways, I love her backstory and can't wait for her gay arc to start, and the hallucinations are a great touch to he characterization.
- Norville is probably my favorite in this episode and the one that most reminds me of Shaggy. Nothing will beat Matthew Lillard or Casey Kasem of course but Sam Richardson does a great job at portraying him since we were told that this version of the character is called Norville because it was before of his "Shaggyfication". Most likely he will find out about drugs and become much more chill and laid back. Anyways, I still find him so true to the OG character for some reason. I know it's a very controversial opinion, but he's just as hilariously stupid and oblivious and ADHD-y than his counterpart in the franchise. However, he finally is likeable for once, even adorable dare I say. I can see him become my favorite character, which is ironic since I lately have been disliking Shaggy in the latest movies and series. I find him to be quite useless and an impediment for the gang and it can get so boring and childish when he and Scooby are on the scene, not even kids would laugh at some of their jokes not gonna lie. Anyways, I love how they went with him and took his best traits and upped them to an enjoyable extent.
- Fred is hilarious, ok? I thought I was gonna HATE him, also he's got the worst design Im sorry. He's just so unrecognizable, I swear Norville is more close to Shaggy's design than this. Anyways, I was scared but damn is he just the funniest one of the bunch. He's so endearingly stupid and it fits so well with his character because since MI he's always been the dumb one, even in Be Cool he would pretend to be leadery but end up in the most ridiculous situations. So yeah, I find him to be the same Fred I always loved and wanted to protect at all costs. I loved when he sat down to listen to Velma's story. Like, I did not expect it at all but I saw it and it made total sense. I love the depth of character it shows in him. So yeah, he might become my second favorite. Also his puberty backstory was so funny and can't wait to see how it progresses.
- Daphne, my beloved Daphne... mmh let's see, probably the one I don't still have an opinion on. I mean I LOVE her design and she can be pretty funny. I was laughing for the entire "Well Well Well" scene, ngl. But somehow I haven't been able to place her in the show yet. Like, I need more to find an opinion, and I'm sure I will cuz Ive read in reviews she's basically gonna be the second protagonist and the one with the most growth. Regardless, I do really like this version of her, she is a badass and even if popular and wanna be mean you can tell she has some tender in her heart just like the version we all know and love. She looks faceted and ready to shed her skin but I will have to wait and see more of her to judge. Still love her though and I love how she's the pop reference girlie like any true queen B.
- Now for the side characters. I'm O B S E S S E D with Krista... well, until she died. I adore Debby Ryan and her voice, she makes the character insanely funny. I was histerically laughing every time she was on screen and they missed a huge opportunity to keep her on screen. Even though we haven't heard much from the other populars, I'm praying they can match Krista cause she was something else. Debby Ryan you deserve an Emmy for this role alone. Hope we get to see some flashbacks or something also because Shay Mitchell is supposed to voice Brenda but she is dead(?) so yeah we'll see what goes on forward. The horny song was everything and I love that they hosted the memorial in a malt shop. I need more of Krista or I'll be insufferable about her death. Also, I'm calling it from now, Sophie might be the killer, she's the stereotypical too good to be good character. She looks like a bitch, though she is funny as hell with her baby antics. Daphne's moms are so entertaining, I love how they switch and complement each other's craziness. I wanna see more interactions with them and their daughter. Amman is probably the most annoying character imo so far. I don't like his relationship with Velma but I've seen many screenshots of them together so probably it will grow to be better. Maybe the disappearance of Diya has something to do with their fall out. Anyways, that's pretty much it, can't wait to see the rest of the characters in action especially the popular girls.
Now for the voice acting:
100000/10. Mindy Kaling is the best Velma we've had since Mindy Cohn, she fits the role so well and just adapted immediately to Velma's character imo, I don't even recall how Mindy looks like, I hear her and think of this Velma. So great job to match the role. The other three have not yet to achieve the same level for their role but they are FANTASTIC. From Constance's bitchy character yet obviously a facade that's hiding more that she wants other to see, to Glenn's obnoxious yet lovably stupid Fred, to Sam's hyper and oblivious Shaggy. They all work so well, so so well. The comedic timing is everything and especially in a show that is so fast paced such as this, they all did an incredible job. Again, my highlight was Debby Ryan, like wow. Fortune Feimster is the only one I was like meh with Olive (the popular blonde) but again, I have not heard enough from her at all. Also, Wanda Sykes and Jane Lynch are the comedy duo we DID know we needed but until know it wasn't reality but here we are, let's cherish their genius back and forths. Although I am not a fan of Amman, Russel Peters fits him like a glove and Melissa Fumero still needs to impress me with Sophie. Once again, Debby Ryan you slayed... and got slayed.
Onto the animation:
Wow, honestly one of the best we've seen even though Scooby always went strong on the animation part. Still was impressed at the way it flowed so well and for the pace the show goes at, it just feels like you constantly wanna say "how the hell did they manage to convey that?". The designs are great, the backgrounds are incredibly detailed, the colors are so addictively bright and layered, like the shadows and lighting, the hand palms you guys, the HAND PALMS, they got them right too. I love how detailed this world is and it doesn't come close to any adult animation worlds we've seen, like it's its own thing. It doesn't beat Harley Quinn's designs and animation but it comes close second. I love it so much and omg let me not even begin with the hallucinations. They are pure art, incredible, showstopping, neverbeendone before. Honestly, blown away.
Writing:
I loved loved loved the writing, it is so sharp, so direct, no time is waste, the references are spot-on and hilarious, there is everything from hype meta jokes, to social commentary, to pure stand-up comedy moments to slapstick, to gore humor, to sex jokes. I am obsessed with the writer's pen. And I am so intrigued by the story, like not only we get to have super fleshed out characters with backstories and full characterizations in one episode but they have time for the progression of a murder mystery and still keep in thrilling? Also, you don't just laugh constantly but you have time to even get scared by the sudden super creepy hallucinations, some jump scares (yes I jumped at Fred coming out from behind the trash bins) and feel sad for the vulnerable back stories (so far only for Velma's). This is strong and clearly pro writing, my only complaint is that the episodes are too short and could have benefited from much more time to take everything in. Like, I'm on my fourth rewatch and did not have time to notice many easter eggs and dialogues. I keep on pausing fishing for more and there are a lot, even some that not one of those dumb "omg I really am a Scooby fan, they ruined my childhood" Twitter trolls would NEVER notice because they probably watched the show as kids and came back on twitter to just jump on the hate train. For example, not only do we have the Creeper's mask, and the wanted posters of past villains, but I noticed a poster with the "Fighting Urchins" of Crystal Cove High on the high school walls. The same Fighting Urchins from Mystery Inc. so for those who are worried, YES, they did watch the show...
Anyways, this was truly a win, the only CON I can come up with is the episode length as it would have benefitted from more time to digest everything.
Score of episode 1:
9.8/10