When younger, "The Neon Phantom of the Roller Disco" didn't leave much of an impression on me. Loved the setting and the unique neon phantom look, but it struck me as bland and forgettable and the neon phantom did not do it for me. Still rewatched the episode recently anyway after a long time, as there are episodes of the first season of 'Scooby Doo and Scrappy Doo' that are much better now than in younger years ("When You Wish Upon a Star Creature", "Rocky Mountain Yiiiii!").
"The Neon Phantom of the Roller Disco" is a little better now, but my overall feelings in terms of merits and debits are pretty much the same. As far as the 'Scooby Doo and Scrappy Doo' Season 1 episodes go, "The Neon Phantom of the Roller Disco" is among the weaker ones in the mystery department despite the interesting setting in my view. A good deal of things are good, but there are things that could have been executed a lot better, so slightly conflicted in this case.
Am going to start with what is done right. The animation is colourful and nicely detailed, not looking too cheap. The music fits very well, the Hollywood theme is suitably celebratory, the use of the retro 70s style was nice and nostalgic and the climax is particularly well scored. The theme song sticks in the head without being an earworm. Most of the acting is very good, cannot fault the regulars and while Scrappy is a problematic character for me Lennie Weinrib does voice him with a lot of enthusiasm.
Some amusing moments can be found in "The Neon Phantom of the Roller Disco", such as Shaggy's dialogue and when Scrappy thinks that Shaggy is the neon phantom. Liked too the Hollywood references, am old enough now to understand them properly too, and the cool 70s vibe the episode has. The setting is great fun and nostalgic.
However, the neon phantom leaves me with mixed feelings. The look of him is striking and creative, but it would have been better honestly if he didn't speak because that high pitched voice made it difficult for me to take him seriously and doesn't really fit the way he looks.
While the setting is great and the atmosphere nailed, there is very little memorable about the mystery itself. Which is very thin, bland and with next to no surprises. Was not surprised by the identity of the perpetrator. Apart from one moment, Scrappy is annoying and there could have been less of him.
Overall, has enough to make it above average but it is nothing more than that and in real need of a better villain and mystery. 6/10.
"The Neon Phantom of the Roller Disco" is a little better now, but my overall feelings in terms of merits and debits are pretty much the same. As far as the 'Scooby Doo and Scrappy Doo' Season 1 episodes go, "The Neon Phantom of the Roller Disco" is among the weaker ones in the mystery department despite the interesting setting in my view. A good deal of things are good, but there are things that could have been executed a lot better, so slightly conflicted in this case.
Am going to start with what is done right. The animation is colourful and nicely detailed, not looking too cheap. The music fits very well, the Hollywood theme is suitably celebratory, the use of the retro 70s style was nice and nostalgic and the climax is particularly well scored. The theme song sticks in the head without being an earworm. Most of the acting is very good, cannot fault the regulars and while Scrappy is a problematic character for me Lennie Weinrib does voice him with a lot of enthusiasm.
Some amusing moments can be found in "The Neon Phantom of the Roller Disco", such as Shaggy's dialogue and when Scrappy thinks that Shaggy is the neon phantom. Liked too the Hollywood references, am old enough now to understand them properly too, and the cool 70s vibe the episode has. The setting is great fun and nostalgic.
However, the neon phantom leaves me with mixed feelings. The look of him is striking and creative, but it would have been better honestly if he didn't speak because that high pitched voice made it difficult for me to take him seriously and doesn't really fit the way he looks.
While the setting is great and the atmosphere nailed, there is very little memorable about the mystery itself. Which is very thin, bland and with next to no surprises. Was not surprised by the identity of the perpetrator. Apart from one moment, Scrappy is annoying and there could have been less of him.
Overall, has enough to make it above average but it is nothing more than that and in real need of a better villain and mystery. 6/10.
