Though set in 1997, the show proves why the X-Men is and always will be, timeless and relevant.
Marvel Studios Animation has released their fourth project with X-Men 97. The 10-episode show proved to be a hit, with each episode release getting a high social media trend worldwide. The show puts the X-Men property back on the mainstream and people understandably want more from the children of the atom.
X-Men 97 is a revival and continuation of the original animated series from 1992. The overall design is still loyal to the original series, but it has a more modernized approach, with the 2-D animation also retained with a mix of 3-D animation for the more complex scenes and designs. The studio behind the animation is Studio Mir. Most of the voice actors from the original series reprise their roles for this which is a welcome factor.
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X-Men 97 Season 1 Plot and Storyline
The main plot of the show picks up from the original series finale, in which the X-Men deal with the fact that their founder, Professor Charles Xavier, is gone.
Second, which is the recurring theme of most X-Men stories, is dealing with their strained relationships with people.
Third, with Xavier gone, the team is now under the leadership of Magneto. Their recurring enemy and Xavier’s best friend. Magneto assumed leadership because it states in Xavier’s will that Magneto now owns everything Xavier owns and has built.
Despite that, there is a looming threat that awaits our main characters. Humanity’s discrimination towards them and Mister Sinister, who is in a partnership with Bastion and the Sentinels.
Throughout its 30-minute and 10-episode run, the show is very well-paced. The two-episode premiere showcases what the X-men are all about, which convinces the fans that they are in for something special. It has just the right amount of nostalgia that puts a smile on our faces while offering something fresh.
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The mid-season finale, titled Remember It, definitely made the viewers remember the episode. After watching the episode, there was a shocking twist. The writer had the guts to pull that off in just the middle part of the show. We are all in; the show is not afraid to take risks and raise the stakes. It tackles more mature themes since that episode as it deals with the aftermath.
Although we have seen these types of plots before, it is how well-executed the story is that gets praise from viewers. X-Men 97 stands out because it does something that other recent MCU movies and shows struggle to do.
The three-part finale, titled Tolerance is Extinction, ends on a high note. Though there is a cliffhanger, we cannot wait to see what’s next for the characters, as it teases that something big is coming.
X-Men 97 Characters spotlight
With a huge cast of characters like this, it can be a struggle to juggle all of them and make it work. Thankfully, X-Men 97 avoids that, and it even does justice to some characters. We have two characters that we chose specifically because they are our favorites from the show.
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Cyclops
We weren’t fans of Cyclops in the past. He is the typical Boy Scout by the book character we all know from the likes of Captain America and Superman. His movie adaptation did not help either, as he was basically sidelined in those films.
Thankfully, X-Men 97 redeemed Scott Summers this time around. Yes, he is still a Boy Scout, but we got to see the field leader of the team, as he always should be.
From the first episode, it was clear that he is the leader, as his presence and voice command the scenes he appears in. His relationships with Jean Grey, her clone Madelyne Pryor, and his son Nathan Summers/Cable add layers to his character. His goodbye message to his son was emotional, convincing viewers that he is no longer just the X-Men’s leader; he is now a father. It is gratifying to see Cyclops portrayed so well.
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Magneto
Our favorite “villain” from the Marvel Universe is Magneto. Unlike Cyclops, Magneto is well-portrayed in both the original cartoon and the live-action movies. He is no different here; in fact, his portrayal in X-Men 97 might be his favorite to date. Magneto still struggles to co-exist with humans, but he gives it a chance as a favor to his friend Xavier. It works at the start, but after his near-death experience in Remember It, it only further proves his point that humans and mutants cannot co-exist.
His ongoing on-off relationship with Xavier is one of our favorite qualities about him, and it is further explored in the show. The viewers definitely understand his point of view, and that, to us, is what makes him so fascinating and nuanced. He also has my favorite monologue of the show, which further solidifies my admiration for the character.
“There was a time I would smite you all for what was done to Storm. But today, I have saved you from you own, for an old friend has challenged me to remember this view of Earth. How vast it is versus how small we make it. Charles Xavier entrusted me with his dream, and it does not ask you to love or embrace my kind as your own, but merely to accept that this is a shared world with a common future and that my kind like yours, have the right to live in it. I am trying to be better. Please…. Do not make me let you down.”
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X-Men 97 Season 1 Final Thoughts
X-Men 97 lives up to the hype and it can be argued that it exceeds it in some ways. This is a love letter to the fans of the comics, movies, and shows alike. The team behind understood the source material from the plot to the portrayal of the characters.
Furthermore, we can confidently say that this is one of Marvel’s best projects to date. The story is great, the animation is spectacular, and the characters are so well-written. This is the X-Men that we know and love. Pop Journal recommends this to anyone who is a fan of this genre. We cannot wait for Season 2!
Watch the infectiously catchy intro theme song here:
All Episodes of X-Men 97 are available to watch on Disney+!
Source: Marvel Studios, Disney+
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