Critic Reviews

Velma’s suspense isn’t gripping on its own, but it doesn’t matter. The voice performances make the brief lulls worth it. The actors are clearly having a ball, with the warm chemistry between Kaling, Wu, Richardson, and Howerton shining through even though they don’t appear on screen. The supporting cast is equally charming.

Velma is a supernatural spoof at its most beautifully chaotic.

With a “zoinks” here and a “jeepers” there, “Velma” looks out for the grownups and crafts something new and, yes, groovy from the familiar. It also sets a template for retooling other aging properties to entertain everyone from Gen X to Millennials. (Looking right at you, “G.I. Joe,” "Snorks" and “Jem.”) Because what they’ve baked into these Scooby Snacks definitely needs to be shared.

Velma manages to transcend the inherent eye-rolls that come with a reboot, delivering a fresh, winkingly silly take on Mystery Inc. The show is fast-paced and ridiculous.

Velma is great. It’s fast-paced and ridiculous, without being arrogant about how quick its wits are. What’s more: It’s got a knack for poking fun at itself and the Scooby-Doo franchise’s history, sprinkling little Easter eggs about for devoted fans to pick up and admire.

The dialogue can be racy for a show about teens, but the animation, and 40-year-olds voicing the roles, help mitigate the creepiness factor. ... Although the animated backdrops are sharper and more textured, the visuals here seem less aimed at wowing 2023 audiences than evoking the ’70s cartoon, which they do quite ably.

“Velma” is doing a lot — possibly too much — but there are emotional beats and comedic gags that do land amid a saturated creative canvas, including arcs for the future Mysteries, Inc gang that combine existing backstory with eclectic “Velma” flourishes (a big Fred twist leads to some truly outrageous scenes in later episodes).

Velma is an often funny take on the classic Scooby-Doo series with plenty of risqué humor. But it’s unfortunate that most of what makes Velma funny is completely unrelated to the character who gets a starring role.

The animation is bright, poppy, and fun, the cast is game, and some solid gags do emerge from what’s been seen so far. But even if it could get over its tonal issues in a second season, it’s hard to hope that it’ll have a chance to do so.

While the incredible animation and a talented voice cast keep things entertaining, Velma’s inconsistent tone and humor prevent it from unmasking a darn good show.