'Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated' "The Art of Darkness" (2012)
Opening thoughts: "Art of Darkness" impressed me a good deal on first watch, in a way that was not expected. The premise is not particularly inspired or imaginative, but there are plenty of episodes for many shows that have basic or/and less than imaginative premises that turn out to be inspired in execution. Which was the case on first watch. Did like the art setting, which is actually a setting that is, or at least turned out to be, well suited to Scooby Doo even if not the most typical choice.
It still is a very good episode and it continues the track record established with the previous episode of being even better on rewatch than on the first one. Everything that was good with "Art of Darkness" on first watch still is and even more so and more also impressed, which was the case with almost all the previous Season 2 episodes. And it is a case too of doing something inventive (with one exception) with a premise that is not the most imaginative in the world.
Good things: So much is good. The animation has a great variety of colour and the attention to detail is rich. A particularly good job is done with the villain, with a design unlike anything seen on Scooby Doo before. Liked how the art was incorporated too visually. The music gels very nicely and has the right amount of momentum and atmosphere, still like the theme tune. The voice acting is without issue in both lead and support.
Really loved the lore building, the Curse of Crystal Cove story continues to intrigue and is building all the time. The modern art setting was great and put to great use, with inspired references to the likes of Andy Warhol. As well as to all the villains. "Art of Darkness" benefits a lot from a strong mystery that isn't too simple or over-loaded, with the dark and dramatic tone maintained. The comedy and drama is balanced expertly in the writing, with the comedy being genuinely funny.
Especially the beef on beef and hot when blurry comments. The villain is uniquely designed and designed, the perpetrator was a surprise and the motive and plan were plausible. Do wish that the name wasn't so lame, with it detracting from what was one of the better villains of the first half of Season 2. The gang are in character and well characterised and the supporting characters are colourful.
Bad things: My only real issue with "Art of Darkness" is that for my tastes Brad and Judy's roles are rather vague as a consequence of the reveal being revealed too early in the season in my view.
Closing thoughts: In conclusion, very good.
8/10.
Opening thoughts: "Art of Darkness" impressed me a good deal on first watch, in a way that was not expected. The premise is not particularly inspired or imaginative, but there are plenty of episodes for many shows that have basic or/and less than imaginative premises that turn out to be inspired in execution. Which was the case on first watch. Did like the art setting, which is actually a setting that is, or at least turned out to be, well suited to Scooby Doo even if not the most typical choice.
It still is a very good episode and it continues the track record established with the previous episode of being even better on rewatch than on the first one. Everything that was good with "Art of Darkness" on first watch still is and even more so and more also impressed, which was the case with almost all the previous Season 2 episodes. And it is a case too of doing something inventive (with one exception) with a premise that is not the most imaginative in the world.
Good things: So much is good. The animation has a great variety of colour and the attention to detail is rich. A particularly good job is done with the villain, with a design unlike anything seen on Scooby Doo before. Liked how the art was incorporated too visually. The music gels very nicely and has the right amount of momentum and atmosphere, still like the theme tune. The voice acting is without issue in both lead and support.
Really loved the lore building, the Curse of Crystal Cove story continues to intrigue and is building all the time. The modern art setting was great and put to great use, with inspired references to the likes of Andy Warhol. As well as to all the villains. "Art of Darkness" benefits a lot from a strong mystery that isn't too simple or over-loaded, with the dark and dramatic tone maintained. The comedy and drama is balanced expertly in the writing, with the comedy being genuinely funny.
Especially the beef on beef and hot when blurry comments. The villain is uniquely designed and designed, the perpetrator was a surprise and the motive and plan were plausible. Do wish that the name wasn't so lame, with it detracting from what was one of the better villains of the first half of Season 2. The gang are in character and well characterised and the supporting characters are colourful.
Bad things: My only real issue with "Art of Darkness" is that for my tastes Brad and Judy's roles are rather vague as a consequence of the reveal being revealed too early in the season in my view.
Closing thoughts: In conclusion, very good.
8/10.
