'Be Cool Scooby Doo' "In Space" (2017)
Opening thoughts: "In Space" is not the first time 'Be Cool Scooby Doo' remade a previous episode of the Scooby Doo franchise. Season 1's "When there's a Will There's a Wraith" remade one of 'Scooby Doo Where Are You's' classics "A Night of Fright is No Delight" and quite wonderfully, making it one of the best episodes of an inconsistent first season. "In Space" is a remake of 'Spooky Space Kook", also one of my favourites of 'Scooby Doo Where are You'. Had no doubt it would be at least good, with such a great concept and setting, and because the show proved already it could remake previous episodes well.
'Be Cool Scooby Doo' proves it again with "In Space". It is not quite as good as "Spooky Space Kook", but it surprisingly comes very close. Season 2 was a more consistent and settled season and this was not just one of the best of the season but of the show as well. Managing to capture the spirit of classic Scooby Doo with a surprisingly and refreshingly darker tone and more mystery while still maintaining this show's quirkiness.
Bad things: My only issue with "In Space" was with Fred's frequent "in space" interjections, which did get repetitive and annoying after a while (quite fast in fact). 'Be Cool Scooby Doo' always varied with its running/repeated gags and the one here didn't have enough variety to work.
Good things: However, "In Space" manages to be one of the show's best-looking episodes, with it being one of the few episodes where the animation didn't bother me. The inventive character of the villain and atmospheric interior designs stand out in particular. The music also has atmosphere and quirky groove. The voice acting is spot on, Matthew Lillard always nailed it as Shaggy and does so still and Frank Welker shows no signs of being long in the tooth (despite voicing Fred since the beginning).
Loved the spooky atmosphere and the villain, one of the show's creepiest easily, really lives up to its name, very reminiscent of the franchise's most frightening villains Spooky Space Kook. The writing is very smart and entertaining, with clever affectionate nods to "Spooky Space Kook" and classic Scooby. The concept here was an awesome one and more than lived up to.
This was an example of a remake that was faithful with the older incarnations, while having its own identity and staying true also to this show's quirky spirit. This is a difficult balance go achieve and was here nailed. Really appreciated the darker and more serious than usual tone (which it didn't go too far on). As well as the heavier emphasis on the mystery, which was clever and eventful, always attention grabbing and keeps one guessing. The reveal was one of the few of the show to be a complete surprise and didn't feel rushed or last minute. There is still plenty of humour too, with Shaggy and Scooby being hilarious.
Closing thoughts: Great episode overall.
9/10.
