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.
"The Norse Case Scenario" is not the first time the Scooby Doo franchise has had vikings for villains, 'The Scooby Doo Show's' "The Curse of the Viking Lake" and 'The New Scooby and Scrappy Doo Show's' "Scooby the Barbarian" had them as villains too. Both were good episodes, despite lacking endings and not being among the best episodes of their respective shows. "The Norse Case Scenario" is also not one of the best episodes in the franchise and is a slight disappointment after a much more settled second half to the season, but it is still entertaining and well done and another worthy Viking episode.
None of 'Be Cool Scooby Doo's' episodes are perfect, even the best ones and "The Norse Case Scenario" is no exception. The animation is not really to my taste and it never was, it did get better in Season 2 but almost every other Scooby Doo show fared better in the animation style (with only 'Get a Clue' being worse). Here though, it has never looked attractive and instead looks scrappy, flat and borderline psychedelic looking.
Also didn't really care all that much for the supporting characters, none particularly memorable and a couple annoying. Especially the ranger. Daphne has been better characterised and funnier in other episodes, here she is bland personality wise and her obsession is over milked and repetitive.
However, "The Norse Case Scenario" benefits massively from the setting and the villains. The forest setting is beautiful and atmospheric and the vikings are genuinely creepy and lots of fun, it is also the only Scooby Doo viking episode where more than one villain actually worked as all had personality and all felt necessary. The reveal is not predictable while also not earth shattering, it is the best and most logical reveal of the franchise's viking episodes and is clever. The gang are mostly well done, apart from Daphne. Shaggy and Scooby are absolutely delightful and their comic timing is hilarious at its best while also being rootable.
Music is quirky and energetic while also with atmosphere, while the story is full of energy and is not over-stuffed, too simple or confusing. The writing and humour are smart and very amusing, with the bear gag being an absolute riot and the clear highlight of the episode. The voice acting is very good.
Overall, a lot to like and enjoyable but also could have been more. 7/10.
"The Norse Case Scenario" is not the first time the Scooby Doo franchise has had vikings for villains, 'The Scooby Doo Show's' "The Curse of the Viking Lake" and 'The New Scooby and Scrappy Doo Show's' "Scooby the Barbarian" had them as villains too. Both were good episodes, despite lacking endings and not being among the best episodes of their respective shows. "The Norse Case Scenario" is also not one of the best episodes in the franchise and is a slight disappointment after a much more settled second half to the season, but it is still entertaining and well done and another worthy Viking episode.
None of 'Be Cool Scooby Doo's' episodes are perfect, even the best ones and "The Norse Case Scenario" is no exception. The animation is not really to my taste and it never was, it did get better in Season 2 but almost every other Scooby Doo show fared better in the animation style (with only 'Get a Clue' being worse). Here though, it has never looked attractive and instead looks scrappy, flat and borderline psychedelic looking.
Also didn't really care all that much for the supporting characters, none particularly memorable and a couple annoying. Especially the ranger. Daphne has been better characterised and funnier in other episodes, here she is bland personality wise and her obsession is over milked and repetitive.
However, "The Norse Case Scenario" benefits massively from the setting and the villains. The forest setting is beautiful and atmospheric and the vikings are genuinely creepy and lots of fun, it is also the only Scooby Doo viking episode where more than one villain actually worked as all had personality and all felt necessary. The reveal is not predictable while also not earth shattering, it is the best and most logical reveal of the franchise's viking episodes and is clever. The gang are mostly well done, apart from Daphne. Shaggy and Scooby are absolutely delightful and their comic timing is hilarious at its best while also being rootable.
Music is quirky and energetic while also with atmosphere, while the story is full of energy and is not over-stuffed, too simple or confusing. The writing and humour are smart and very amusing, with the bear gag being an absolute riot and the clear highlight of the episode. The voice acting is very good.
Overall, a lot to like and enjoyable but also could have been more. 7/10.
