I like new Scooby, but I feel like it's hit or miss a lot. Honestly the fact that modern day technology and culture is forcefully incorporated into it causes Scooby to lose a lot of it's 60/70's charm. They dress like it's 1969 and yet they live in our time... It just feels wrong to me.
I'm not against modernization, but it's just sloppy to pull 70's themed characters and drop them in a modern landscape. I may not have loved the most recent two live action movies, but at least they had the decency to completely pull the gang into the present instead of doing that weird mix of era's that the first two tried. Almost all the shows since the first live action movie have done this and honestly I never like it any better, the mixed era thing just doesn't work. Either the ghost is a bed sheet or a hologram, they can't have both.
Plus the super technology they use in modern Scooby stuff is such a crutch and most of the time I just can't stomach it. I mean the villains scheme in any era is always stupid and mostly impossible, but I am more able to accept cartoon logic over phony super science.
I will say new Scooby is better in the storytelling department and they take more risks and can genuinely be surprising, but in comedy and soundtrack it falls behind quickly and often. So I guess at the end of the day I'd rather watch the classics.
I would like to discuss what Strangely brought up about technology in Scooby-Doo.
I think for me it depends how they use it. Remember, the original cartoon had technologies that did not exist in that era, nor even this era. The Adams Family episode showed this with hologram cubes and tractor-beams. Foul-Play in Funland obviously had Charlie, a full on robot. The gang even used computers in some episodes, such as Decoy for a Dognapper. They also used a tracking device, which I'm not sure if those existed yet or not, but if so I don't think the transmitters were small enough to go into a collar.
Point is, the original took certain liberties when it came to technology, so having modern day technology in a 70's setting is fine so long as they don't include the modern era attitude with it. Meaning, if they feature cellphones in the 70's, it should be used sparingly. The characters shouldn't have their noses buried in them or use them to get GPS or maps or post messages on the Internet. Stuff like that. A cellphone should be rare, and used for an emergency call, or as a clue to solve the mystery. Like who called the victim last?
So I'm okay with current and future tech being used, so long as it's a tool and not a main focus.
However, I agree that the new episodes and movies should not rely on tech as a way for the villains to haunt or terrorize their locations and targets. It is okay once in a while, but I would like to see some more inventive and creative ideas. Some of the scariest concepts are derived from simple things, like shadows on a wall cast by harmless everyday objects, or a low disturbing noise down a pitch-black hallway. The greatest fears are those your imagination takes and runs away with.
On this point, the stories they come up with to explain the hauntings could be better and scarier.
My problem with seeing today's technology incorporated is that it leans on it like a crutch. The Mystery machine now transforms and has a talking GPS. Velma uses Wikipedia like an addict. Cell phones, holograms and computers are used rampantly. Mask of the blue falcon was ruined for me when it was revealed the villain was using a gigantic building sized robot. That felt far-fetched even for a cartoon.
Scooby Doo has always used technology in it's mysteries, but in the past they had better limits on how it was used. Even when they did impossible things with technology it was mostly exaggeration on how well it worked. Now we have mysteries where the culprit would need a masters degree, ten years of experience in the special effects industry and a bank loan to fund their schemes. They complicate the plan to a severe degree. I don't feel like these are normal people that one day decide to commit a crime. Technology has become a crutch, both for building the mystery and solving it. It's a dependence I'm not fond of.
I agree. The part with Velma using wikipedia is particularly irksome. It is lazy and it removes storyline. Back in the day, Velma would have to go to a library to get her information. This could provide another spooky setting for the gang, or part of the gang, to investigate and possibly have a chase scene in.
The GPS thing is also lazy. How many mysteries started because the gang got lost? A GPS eliminates this storyline element.
I agree the giant robot was far-fetched. Aside from being a dead give-away as to who the real villain was, it just didn't make sense. If I remember correctly, he was mad that he went broke. So then how did he create that huge robot? The materials alone would be too expensive.
So I agree that they use it poorly in the show, but I don't mind modern-day tech being used so long as its used in ways that help the story along rather than hinder it.
I assume that the villain in Mask of the Blue Falcon stole the materials he needed for the giant robot. Also the new episodes don't take place in the 70s they are set in present day.
(0)Dislikes
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Oh, I can't decide... I'd say both!
Classic Scooby is how the series is supposed to be.
New Scooby is an attempt to make Scooby like everything else that's out there. New Scooby isn't funny or entertaining.
I like new Scooby, but I feel like it's hit or miss a lot. Honestly the fact that modern day technology and culture is forcefully incorporated into it causes Scooby to lose a lot of it's 60/70's charm. They dress like it's 1969 and yet they live in our time... It just feels wrong to me.
I'm not against modernization, but it's just sloppy to pull 70's themed characters and drop them in a modern landscape. I may not have loved the most recent two live action movies, but at least they had the decency to completely pull the gang into the present instead of doing that weird mix of era's that the first two tried. Almost all the shows since the first live action movie have done this and honestly I never like it any better, the mixed era thing just doesn't work. Either the ghost is a bed sheet or a hologram, they can't have both.
Plus the super technology they use in modern Scooby stuff is such a crutch and most of the time I just can't stomach it. I mean the villains scheme in any era is always stupid and mostly impossible, but I am more able to accept cartoon logic over phony super science.
I will say new Scooby is better in the storytelling department and they take more risks and can genuinely be surprising, but in comedy and soundtrack it falls behind quickly and often. So I guess at the end of the day I'd rather watch the classics.
Both!!!!
I would like to discuss what Strangely brought up about technology in Scooby-Doo.
I think for me it depends how they use it. Remember, the original cartoon had technologies that did not exist in that era, nor even this era. The Adams Family episode showed this with hologram cubes and tractor-beams. Foul-Play in Funland obviously had Charlie, a full on robot. The gang even used computers in some episodes, such as Decoy for a Dognapper. They also used a tracking device, which I'm not sure if those existed yet or not, but if so I don't think the transmitters were small enough to go into a collar.
Point is, the original took certain liberties when it came to technology, so having modern day technology in a 70's setting is fine so long as they don't include the modern era attitude with it. Meaning, if they feature cellphones in the 70's, it should be used sparingly. The characters shouldn't have their noses buried in them or use them to get GPS or maps or post messages on the Internet. Stuff like that. A cellphone should be rare, and used for an emergency call, or as a clue to solve the mystery. Like who called the victim last?
So I'm okay with current and future tech being used, so long as it's a tool and not a main focus.
However, I agree that the new episodes and movies should not rely on tech as a way for the villains to haunt or terrorize their locations and targets. It is okay once in a while, but I would like to see some more inventive and creative ideas. Some of the scariest concepts are derived from simple things, like shadows on a wall cast by harmless everyday objects, or a low disturbing noise down a pitch-black hallway. The greatest fears are those your imagination takes and runs away with.
On this point, the stories they come up with to explain the hauntings could be better and scarier.
My problem with seeing today's technology incorporated is that it leans on it like a crutch. The Mystery machine now transforms and has a talking GPS. Velma uses Wikipedia like an addict. Cell phones, holograms and computers are used rampantly. Mask of the blue falcon was ruined for me when it was revealed the villain was using a gigantic building sized robot. That felt far-fetched even for a cartoon.
Scooby Doo has always used technology in it's mysteries, but in the past they had better limits on how it was used. Even when they did impossible things with technology it was mostly exaggeration on how well it worked. Now we have mysteries where the culprit would need a masters degree, ten years of experience in the special effects industry and a bank loan to fund their schemes. They complicate the plan to a severe degree. I don't feel like these are normal people that one day decide to commit a crime. Technology has become a crutch, both for building the mystery and solving it. It's a dependence I'm not fond of.
I agree. The part with Velma using wikipedia is particularly irksome. It is lazy and it removes storyline. Back in the day, Velma would have to go to a library to get her information. This could provide another spooky setting for the gang, or part of the gang, to investigate and possibly have a chase scene in.
The GPS thing is also lazy. How many mysteries started because the gang got lost? A GPS eliminates this storyline element.
I agree the giant robot was far-fetched. Aside from being a dead give-away as to who the real villain was, it just didn't make sense. If I remember correctly, he was mad that he went broke. So then how did he create that huge robot? The materials alone would be too expensive.
So I agree that they use it poorly in the show, but I don't mind modern-day tech being used so long as its used in ways that help the story along rather than hinder it.
I assume that the villain in Mask of the Blue Falcon stole the materials he needed for the giant robot. Also the new episodes don't take place in the 70s they are set in present day.