TV DVD Review: "A Pup Named Scooby-Doo": Volume Two

Synopsis: Whenever there's a mystery, the kids in the Scooby-Doo Detective Agency are on the case! Whether it's a ghost haunting a television studio, an ice monster at a winter resort, or a ghastly samurai at a resort, you can bet that Shaggy, Velma, Freddy, Daphne, and their loyal pup Scooby-Doo will figure out who is behind it and why!
Featuring the late Don Messick and Casey Kasem, the original voices of Scooby and Shaggy.

The Good: I've been a fan of "those meddling kids" since 1998, so, how could I not like this? As entertaining as ever, these younger versions of the famed teenage sleuths and their insane Great Dane bring equal doses of laughs, action, and thrills.  As usual, the makers keep this clean: no profanity nor any sex, only mild cartoony violence, etc.

The Bad: If you've never seen this incarnation of Scooby-Doo before, let me tell you: This is unlike any of the previous versions.  It's much more cartoony; so much so, it almost feels like Looney Tunes at times.  For those who liked the fact that the old-school Hanna-Barbera episodes were more realistic than the average Saturday morning 'toon, that could be a deal-breaker.  Also, the theme music, which constantly repeats Scooby's name, was über annoying; I much prefer the old-school soundtrack.

Conclusion: When I first saw this back in the day, I was a bit surprised; it wasn't in the traditional style of Scooby-Doo cartoons, and, therefore, I felt that it was inferior to its predecessors, though still fun for what it was.  Some fans of "those meddling kids" may embrace it; others may despise it.  If you've never seen this show before, I suggest borrowing a DVD of it from the library, or streaming an episode for free, before shelling out cash for any part of this series; you may decide that it's not for you, even if you're a longtime fan of that insane Great Dane.

Score: 3.5/5