X-Men ’97 Season 1 Episode 1-3 Review

The following is a spoiler-free review of the first three episodes of X-Men ’97. The first two episodes premiere tomorrow on Disney+

For anyone born in the 1990s, X-Men: The Animated Series, running for 5 seasons from 1992 to 1997, was a fixture in the childhoods of many who spent their Saturday mornings watching cartoons as children. Starting with its iconic opening theme, the series paved the way for superheroes and animation. Leaving such an imprint with viewers that not many have seemed to replicate, many wish they could go back to 1997 to relive the magic of the original series and now they can. The second MCU forray into animation, X-Men ’97, literally goes back to 1997 by serving as a continuation of the original animated series. Picking up where it left off, the nostalgia factor is undeniable and the fact that it feels exactly like the original series, including that aforementioned theme, will only add to that. Although bringing back the look and feel of the original 90’s series could be a risk on paper, now 25+ years later, it works here. However, the homage to the original series doesn’t end with its look and feel as much of the original voice cast also return in what was truly a full circle experience. Though this new series may come in a familiar package, there was some adapting in terms of themes behind the sugar rush that was the original series. Even after all this time, the entertainment value is still there.

For those unfamiliar with X-Men: The Animated Series, it revolved around a team of mutants who fought to protect a world that did not accept them. While those looking for more background going in can take a look back at the original series before going, X-Men ’97 picks up where the original left off with the untimely death of Charles Xavier. A moment that clearly left the team reeling, they needed to find a way to move forward without his wisdom and leadership. Taking it particularly hard was Cyclops (Ray Chase) who struggled in his absence, trying to fill that void. He may have been the leader of the X-Men but Xavier was the true leader. With the team dynamic disrupted, they needed to rally around a cause and that was his final wishes to create a world where humans and mutants can live in harmony. That being said, there were plenty of outside forces working to ensure that it doesn’t happen. In the end, they needed to once again learn to work together because their enemies weren’t going to back down. Over the course of the first three episodes that were provided to press before the series premiere, the team faced a fair share of adversity as it looked to set up a potential endgame through the return of a familiar villain.

Simply, the goal of these first three episodes was to get the X-Men up and running again but that was not a simple task, offering a few twists and turns. Watching these characters interact with another was a blast as Cyclops, Jean Grey (Jennifer Hale), Wolverine (Cal Dodd), Storm (Alison Sealy-Smith), Beast (George Buza), Rogue (Lenore Zann), Gambit (Chris Potter), Jubilee (Holly Chou), Bishop (Isaac Robinson-Smith), and Morph (JP Karliak), did not miss a beat. Following the death of Charles Xavier, their dynamic had to adjust. Three episodes is not nearly enough to explore the characters and their dynamic with a great amount of depth, however, the new series retains the heart of the original while tackling such themes as motherhood, the power of relationships, the need for human connection, and discovering one’s identity. Meanwhile, the episodes featured some strong action sequences as the classic animation style of the original series is put to the test. The level of animation behind the X-Men, their powers, and everything else for that matter retained the original look, which was no ordinary feat, recreating the many nuances of that classic animation style with a crisper edge thanks to the technology of today. Though it may not be the best, or anywhere near the worst, when accentuated by its iconic score, it was just right.

For the most part, the writing feels like a Saturday morning cartoon, for better or worse, with X-Men ’97 choosing to keep that tone out of posterity. It is silly, it is cheesy, it is corny, and it works purely for nostalgic reasons. The furthest thing from highbrow, grounding it this time around is that depth in themes to elicit a stronger connection with the characters and to break up the mindlessness of the surrounding plot of each episode. Nevertheless, the stellar voice acting across the board, including much of the original series voice cast, is the nostalgic bow that ties it all together. Perhaps more accessible to viewers with a familiarity of the original animated series, this new series brings them back to their childhoods as they bring a gravitas that works beautifully here, stepping back into their old roles (the returning cast) and elevating the material, making these familiar characters so compelling and fun to watch again.

In the end, X-Men ’97 is a requel that carries on the heart of the original, bringing the series back to life for modern viewers with an impressive level of care that taps into nostalgia while grounding it with a purpose that will surely resonate today.

still courtesy of Disney

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.