While still considering 'Scooby Doo and Scrappy Doo' one of the weaker Scooby Doo incarnations, Season 1 (which was uneven but generally decent) was not bad at all and has generally grown on me. There are a few that aren't particularly good and a couple went down in my estimations, but a few episodes did improve on re-watch and the episodes that were particularly good on first viewing are still among the best ones through young adult eyes.
"I Left My Neck in San Francisco", "Shiver and Shakes that Demon's a Snake", "The Night Ghoul of Wonderworld", "The Ghoul, the Bat and the Ugly" and "Rocky Mountain Yiiiii!" (one of the episodes that grew on me the most) being the best. "The Ransom of Scooby Chief" has always been my least favourite of the sixteen episodes making up Season 1, have only watched it three times and it's the one episode of the season to leave me cold each time. While "The Hairy Scare of Devil Bear", "The Sorcerer's a Menace" (the one that most went down in my estimations) and "Lock the Door, It's a Minotaur" left me mixed, they were at least recognisable as Scooby Doo episodes. Whereas this was pretty much a taster of what was to come later on in the show.
"The Ransom of Scooby Chief" is a case of the supporting characters making a bigger impression than the leads. Duke and Annie are very amusing, bring life to the proceedings and liked their chemistry with Scrappy a good deal. Shaggy and Scooby are relatable in their predicament and have their fun moments.
Music is nicely done and well used. The theme song, while not a favourite, is fun to listen to at least. The voice acting is good.
Sadly, the rest of "The Ransom of Scooby Chief" isn't so much. Its biggest problem being that it doesn't feel like Scooby Doo. More like past prime-Tom and Jerry. And it is not just because of next to no Fred, Daphne and Velma and no monster. There is too much overly-coincidental slapstick and not enough of the endearingly goofy dialogue of Shaggy and Scooby that makes up a vast majority of the franchise's humour. The slapstick furthermore being quite tired and gets in the way of the story.
Which is one that is very thin and lacks any tension or urgency, nothing new or memorable either. With the villains being very bland, the conflict isn't really there. There is too much focus on Scrappy (already a bad sign if you are not a fan), here despite having good intentions he is more a nuisance than helpful and makes things worse rather than better. Always on 'Scooby Doo and Scrappy Doo', actually think he was less annoying in later incarnations, found him an annoying and limited character that added little other than quickly grating with repetitive catchphrases and running gags. The animation is not the greatest here, the second worst looking episode of the season (only the animation in "The Hairy Scare of Devil Bear" was worse). Very rushed and flat looking.
In summary, lacklustre. 4/10.
"I Left My Neck in San Francisco", "Shiver and Shakes that Demon's a Snake", "The Night Ghoul of Wonderworld", "The Ghoul, the Bat and the Ugly" and "Rocky Mountain Yiiiii!" (one of the episodes that grew on me the most) being the best. "The Ransom of Scooby Chief" has always been my least favourite of the sixteen episodes making up Season 1, have only watched it three times and it's the one episode of the season to leave me cold each time. While "The Hairy Scare of Devil Bear", "The Sorcerer's a Menace" (the one that most went down in my estimations) and "Lock the Door, It's a Minotaur" left me mixed, they were at least recognisable as Scooby Doo episodes. Whereas this was pretty much a taster of what was to come later on in the show.
"The Ransom of Scooby Chief" is a case of the supporting characters making a bigger impression than the leads. Duke and Annie are very amusing, bring life to the proceedings and liked their chemistry with Scrappy a good deal. Shaggy and Scooby are relatable in their predicament and have their fun moments.
Music is nicely done and well used. The theme song, while not a favourite, is fun to listen to at least. The voice acting is good.
Sadly, the rest of "The Ransom of Scooby Chief" isn't so much. Its biggest problem being that it doesn't feel like Scooby Doo. More like past prime-Tom and Jerry. And it is not just because of next to no Fred, Daphne and Velma and no monster. There is too much overly-coincidental slapstick and not enough of the endearingly goofy dialogue of Shaggy and Scooby that makes up a vast majority of the franchise's humour. The slapstick furthermore being quite tired and gets in the way of the story.
Which is one that is very thin and lacks any tension or urgency, nothing new or memorable either. With the villains being very bland, the conflict isn't really there. There is too much focus on Scrappy (already a bad sign if you are not a fan), here despite having good intentions he is more a nuisance than helpful and makes things worse rather than better. Always on 'Scooby Doo and Scrappy Doo', actually think he was less annoying in later incarnations, found him an annoying and limited character that added little other than quickly grating with repetitive catchphrases and running gags. The animation is not the greatest here, the second worst looking episode of the season (only the animation in "The Hairy Scare of Devil Bear" was worse). Very rushed and flat looking.
In summary, lacklustre. 4/10.
