"Wanted Cheddar Alive" was one of my first episodes of 'A Pup Named Scooby Doo' when seeing it for the first time as a little girl. The others being "The Computer Walks Among Us" and "Mayhem of the Moving Mollusk", both liked very much as a child. When watching the show all the way through properly for the first time, this was one of the standout episodes in a good way. Primarily for the setting and the villain, despite not being surprised at all by the reveal.
My positive initial opinion of "Wanted Cheddar Alive" still stands, and actually like it even more now due to appreciating the writing and style more. My reasons for liking it are exactly the same while also finding more things to like. What didn't quite work for me first time around also didn't quite work this time, with one of them being one of 'A Pup Named Scooby Doo's' biggest and most frequent problems. They are far outweighed by the positives though.
Am going to get the negatives out of the way. 'A Pup Named Scooby Doo' really did not do a good job with Fred as an overall whole, from the very start of the show he quickly became really irritating and he is here. The wild and unbelievably dumb conspiracy theories go well overboard as does the conclusion jumping that happens in every episode aimed at one person.
Did feel still that the reveal was not a surprise at all, in an episode with only two real suspects (neither of them we get to know really) part of me suspected the responsible almost immediately, having seen similar seemingly sympathetic attitudes from other Scooby Doo culprits yet this one felt too put on. Plus the motive is one of the oldest in the book when it comes to business and companies.
However, a lot is good. Absolutely loved the Scooby Snacks factory setting, which is so cool and it was nice to have a setting revolving around something dear to Shaggy and Scooby. The different flavours were also fun, though some were gross sounding (not unusual for Scooby Doo in previous and later incarnations). The villain is very memorable in design and is both creepy and fun, as well as one of the least childish sounding. Also one that would fit perfectly in both old and new Scooby Doo.
The writing is still very witty and loved its broadness and goofiness. The humour is at its best though when it's more self-aware, seen in the fourth wall breaking with the clue finding and the summings up in the reveal. The mystery is lively and wacky, personally didn't think it was too baby-ish even with it being more geared towards younger viewers with the gang as kids. It is a kind of story that would also fit very well in old and new Scooby Doo.
Furthermore, the animation is bright and colourful throughout, shining in Scooby's shocked and devastated reactions to no Scooby Snacks, done in a very Tex Avery like way, and with the villain. The music is very catchy, with the theme tune being the most memorable and fun one of the 80s Scooby Doo incarnations. John Debney always delivered on providing music that made one sing along and toe tap and that is the case with the songs featured. Especially one of the show's catchiest chase songs, the chase is also very imaginatively staged and animated. Love Shaggy and Scooby, Velma is cute and not too know it all-ish and Daphne is much nicer here than she was in "The Sludge Monster from the Earth's Core". Love the gang chemistry.
In summary, another very well done episode. 8/10.
My positive initial opinion of "Wanted Cheddar Alive" still stands, and actually like it even more now due to appreciating the writing and style more. My reasons for liking it are exactly the same while also finding more things to like. What didn't quite work for me first time around also didn't quite work this time, with one of them being one of 'A Pup Named Scooby Doo's' biggest and most frequent problems. They are far outweighed by the positives though.
Am going to get the negatives out of the way. 'A Pup Named Scooby Doo' really did not do a good job with Fred as an overall whole, from the very start of the show he quickly became really irritating and he is here. The wild and unbelievably dumb conspiracy theories go well overboard as does the conclusion jumping that happens in every episode aimed at one person.
Did feel still that the reveal was not a surprise at all, in an episode with only two real suspects (neither of them we get to know really) part of me suspected the responsible almost immediately, having seen similar seemingly sympathetic attitudes from other Scooby Doo culprits yet this one felt too put on. Plus the motive is one of the oldest in the book when it comes to business and companies.
However, a lot is good. Absolutely loved the Scooby Snacks factory setting, which is so cool and it was nice to have a setting revolving around something dear to Shaggy and Scooby. The different flavours were also fun, though some were gross sounding (not unusual for Scooby Doo in previous and later incarnations). The villain is very memorable in design and is both creepy and fun, as well as one of the least childish sounding. Also one that would fit perfectly in both old and new Scooby Doo.
The writing is still very witty and loved its broadness and goofiness. The humour is at its best though when it's more self-aware, seen in the fourth wall breaking with the clue finding and the summings up in the reveal. The mystery is lively and wacky, personally didn't think it was too baby-ish even with it being more geared towards younger viewers with the gang as kids. It is a kind of story that would also fit very well in old and new Scooby Doo.
Furthermore, the animation is bright and colourful throughout, shining in Scooby's shocked and devastated reactions to no Scooby Snacks, done in a very Tex Avery like way, and with the villain. The music is very catchy, with the theme tune being the most memorable and fun one of the 80s Scooby Doo incarnations. John Debney always delivered on providing music that made one sing along and toe tap and that is the case with the songs featured. Especially one of the show's catchiest chase songs, the chase is also very imaginatively staged and animated. Love Shaggy and Scooby, Velma is cute and not too know it all-ish and Daphne is much nicer here than she was in "The Sludge Monster from the Earth's Core". Love the gang chemistry.
In summary, another very well done episode. 8/10.
