New episodes of X-Men ‘97 stream each Wednesday on Disney+.
Synopsis
Marvel Animation’s “X-Men’97” revisits the iconic era of the 1990s as The X-Men, a band of mutants who use their uncanny gifts to protect a world that hates and fears them, are challenged like never before, forced to face a dangerous and unexpected new future.Disney, Marvel Animation, Marvel Studios, X-Men ’97 (TV Series), Disney+,
Review
Ever since Disney reclaimed the X-Men through the acquisition of Fox fans have been clamouring for more from the legendary team. A huge fan favourite set of characters, much of the fan adoration comes from a generation of fans who grew up on 1992’s X-Men: The Animated Series. So naturally the first thing Marvel Studios did was commission a continuation of the much-loved series. Bringing back surviving members of the original cast in the hope that Storm’s lightning could strike twice.
Know for striking harder than other series of its time with intense action and strong characters beats. Also widely praised for echoing the X-Men comics’ natural sense of inclusion. Could returning to the series be the perfect way to introduce a new generation to Wolverine, Jean Grey, Cyclops, Storm and the rest of the X-Men?
In short. Yes.
X-Men ‘97 picks up as if the original series has never been off the air. Writer Beau DeMayo surpasses all eXpectations in simultaneously rebooting and continuing the franchise. Remembering that 1992’s X-Men was squarely aimed at kids, there’s plenty of exposition, particularly in series’ premiere “To Me, My X-Men”. Key supporting characters to continue plot threads from the past. Whilst the introduction of newer characters begin laying the foundations for X-Men ‘97 to continue for the foreseeable future. Striking that balance is no mean feat, particularly in striving to please adults who grew up with the original show and capture the attention of a whole new audience.
Those who remember the original X-Men and its opening story arc “Night of the Sentinels” will know just how hard the series strived to tell huge stories. Never inconsequential, X-Men always had a message for the audience. Be it about family, acceptance or overcoming obstacles. There was always a key driving force behind the storytelling. DeMayo is keenly aware of that and taps right in to it as the team, now led by Cyclops (Ray Chase) comes face-to-face with their old enemies, the Friends of Humanity (F.O.H.). Along with the returns of Henry Gyrich and Bolivar Trask, the F.O.H. has had an upgrade using Sentinel tech.
If all of this is sounding incredibly familiar that’s because it’s pure X-Men. But don’t just take DeMayo at face value for using the greatest hits to capture a sense of nostalgia. Whilst that is inevitable. What’s really going on here is we’re learning eXactly how much care and attention has been put in to recreating this world. It’s a bold statement of behalf of Marvel that they know what fans love and they’re willing to put in the effort to recreate it lovingly. In many ways it’s also lulling its audience in to a false sense of security which will be cruelly ripped out from underneath us during episodes two, “Mutant Liberation Begins”.
The two-episode premiere works perfectly in tandem as a mix of the old and the new. It makes perfect sense to release them both in the same day. Where “To Me, My X-Men” acts as a bridge between the original series and this new version. “Mutant Liberation Begins” really swings for the fences and shows us what X-Men ‘97 is capable of in a streaming world without 1990’s censorship and conservatism.
In swinging for those fences DeMayo brings in some more obscure elements of the comics to mine a storyline between two characters which nobody will see coming. He also introduces a new villain in the shape of the Executioner who upends the status quo of the series in seismic fashion. But perhaps the biggest update to the X-Men franchise is the removal of Charles Xavier – his fate is confirmed early on – and his choice of Magneto (Matthew Waterson) to take his place. The changes and updates secure the fact that X-Men ‘97 won’t simply repeat the past in the hope of success.
That being said, it’s hard not to feel the eXhilaration at seeing the best elements of the show filled with new life. The opening theme tune has received a synth-tinged 80’s remiX that sounds outstanding against the recreated title sequence. Adding Morph, Bishop and Magneto to the credits gives a new flavour to the classic visuals and teases some potential developments to come.
In fact almost all of the series signature visual style remains in tact. It takes a minute to adjust to seeing the 90’s style of animation in full 4K and now in wide screen. But it’s commendable that the animators have kept a slight fuzziness and grain around the image to give it a classic look design the much improved image quality. Much like the storytelling, there’s a fine balance between recreating the old and making it fresh. Just like the storytelling the series has go far got that balance perfectly right.
Verdict
The first two episodes of X-Men ‘97 are an incredible return for the much-loved series. Any fear that Marvel Studios wouldn’t be able to recreate the magic of the original is dispelled by the time the opening credits have finished. Bold storytelling, incredible visuals and legendary voices. Perfe-X-ion.
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