Note: this is a spoiler-free review of the first two episodes of X-Men ‘97, which premiere on Disney+ on Wednesday, March 20.
It’s not overstating things to say X-Men: The Animated Series defined Marvel’s mutant heroes for a generation of fans. How many of us have fond memories of pouring a bowl of cereal on Saturday morning and turning on Fox Kids to catch up on the ongoing adventures of Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm and the rest of the gang? X-Men ‘97 promises nothing less than a return to those happy, carefree days. And while it doesn’t always pay to lean too hard into nostalgia, this is one animated series that proves you can, in fact, go home again.
X-Men ‘97 acts as a direct sequel, picking up some months after Professor X’s attempted assassination. In this uncertain new era, Cyclops (Ray Chase) is attempting to lead the team in his mentor’s absence, but simmering human/mutant tensions and the return of Magneto (Matthew Waterson) serve as stark reminders that the world is still a very dangerous place.
The first two episodes tread a delicate line in establishing a status quo that builds on the foundation of the original series while also welcoming in newcomers who didn’t necessarily stay glued to the Fox Kids lineup back in the ‘90s. One needs only a basic familiarity with the X-Men and the fate of Xavier to dive in here. As always, there are plenty of cameos and Easter eggs for the hardcore fans to pick apart.
It certainly doesn’t hurt that X-Men ‘97 weaves such a compelling story right out of the gate. It taps into the mutant soap opera that made the original series so appealing, even as the X-Men continue to fight for survival in a world that hates and fears them, they grapple with more personal issues. The hot-headed Wolverine (Cal Dodd) still feuds with the stuffy Cyclops, with kindly Jean Grey (Jennifer Hale) caught in the middle. Rogue (Lenore Zahn) still yearns for the touch of another. There’s a very effective blend of interpersonal drama and larger-than-life stakes fueling these first two episodes.
Nowhere is this more apparent than with Magneto, a character who tends to steal the spotlight in every scene. The original animated series always excelled in its portrayal of the Master of Magnetism. He was never quite a villain, but more a misguided mutant freedom fighter prone to haunting soliloquies and deep bouts of introspection. X-Men ‘97 takes full advantage of those qualities right out of the gate, and Waterson’s voice gives Magneto just the right amount of menace and gravitas. Magneto, more than any other character, is a vessel for thesame themes of bigotry and compassion that made the original series so powerful.
Balancing such a large ensemble leads to some struggles in the first two episodes. The core team roster has been expanded by two characters - Morph (J.P. Karliak) and Bishop (Isaac Robinson-Smith) - and it’s telling that both feel like afterthoughts. There simply isn’t enough room to do every character justice right off the bat, The hope is that ten episodes will give the writers enough time to properly flesh out every team member.
The voice cast in X-Men ‘97 is generally strong, featuring a mix of returning favorites and new soundalikes. Frankly, there would have been no point in bringing anyone back if Dodd weren’t available to voice Wolverine. Between him, Alison Sealy-Smith’s Storm and Zahn’s Rogue, the new series has the most important bases covered. The newcomers mostly settle into their roles nicely. There may be a brief period of adjustment in hearing characters who don’t sound quite like they used to, either because of age or recasting, but that passes quickly enough.
If X-Men ‘97 sounds mostly like the original, it certainly doesn’t look the same. That’s for the best. Unlike its cousin Batman: The Animated Series, the animation in X-Men: The Animated Series doesn’t exactly stand the test of time. The goal here seems to have been crafting a sequel that looks as good as you remember the original being, not necessarily how it actually was. The animation team pulls that off nicely, relying on 3D animation shaded to look 2D and then tweaking the framerate to create a more lo-fi feel.
The result is a show that looks much cleaner and more colorful than its predecessor, but not wholly different. And it’s a style that frequently shines during the many action scenes. You’ve probably seen hints of this in the trailer, including that instantly iconic shot of Gambit charging up Wolverine’s claws. The series makes the most of the fact that it’s not bound by the same kid-friendly standards as the original. The X-Men are finally allowed to cut loose and unleash their powers in ways they never could back in the ‘90s. Even Cyclops, for all that he may be a stick in the mud, personality-wise, comes across as just plain cool on the field of battle.
