The X-Men are back. X-Men '97, a brand new retro-inspired series, picks up immediately following the conclusion of X-Men: The Animates Series. In a world that still fears mutants, one without Charles Xavier, the X-Men are challenged to face a dangerous future where forces unknown threaten their existence.
As someone who hadn't seen the original series and wasn't aware of any of the main plot points, my one concern was whether the narrative would be accessible to newcomers. Following a quick look at how the original series ended, the pilot thrusts forward with a fresh narrative that's intriguing, fun and easy to follow for new watchers. The events of the original series play a role in this story, but any essential details are dropped via quick lines of dialogue or the occasional short flashback. It's essentially a brand new series with characters who you can and will fall in love with even if this is the first time you're meeting them. At the same time, it doesn't neglect its OG fans - it offers subtle references and callbacks to moments from the original run that are sure to get longtime fans excited.
After the first couple of episodes, one thing became abundantly clear - this is one of the best-written animated series' of all time. The narrative itself is gripping and intense, the character development is tight and exciting, and the dialogue is mesmerising. One misconception to come from this being on Disney+ is that it's a kids' series. There is not an element of this season that is treated like it's aimed at kids, and the dialogue is a clear indication of that. Every single line is mature, poignant and intelligently written, and even the comedic moments are clever and subtle. Whether it be a monologue from Magneto or a tense conversation between Cyclops and Jean Grey, the dialogue is succinct, purposeful and impactful. There's multiple scenes throughout the series where the powerful dialogue shines above any of the action happening on screen or elsewhere. So much insight is gained into the characters through the well-written dialogue that it commands every bit of attention. When this series is at its peak, especially as it ramps up to its finale, it elevates to being one of the best-written series' on TV.
The dialogue is one thing, but the quality of the narrative is on a whole other level. Over the course of this season, the story takes twists and turns that no-one could possibly see coming. In the ten-episode run, there's one episode (or rather half an episode) that stands out as being detached from the overarching plot, while the rest is focused on moving towards the massive three-part finale. The overarching narrative is tense and exciting at every turn, constantly weaving in new characters and elements that flip the script. One of the greatest joys of this series is the zippy pace at which every episode glides by. There's not a second of downtime as it packs tonnes of action and character drama into every episode.
Speaking on the action, the series is filled with jaw-dropping action sequences that make full use of the beautiful stylised animation. Every one of the X-Men's powers are represented in cool, unique ways that make each action sequence feel fresh, especially when dealing with different villains. The battles that unfold are all fun and exciting, each becoming the highlight of their respective episodes. The violence and ability to show blood ramps up the tension and makes the action a lot more impactful. The feeling that our heroes could get badly injured or even killed is a threat throughout this whole season, something a lot of other animated series' don't quite have. There are two large bouts that are two of the best X-Men action sequences I've seen across any media. First, the three-part finale is, as expected, grand and full of wild action from beginning to end, but there's an episode at around the mid-way point that pushes the boundaries of animated storytelling. It's the best and most impactful episode of the series due to the scope of the action, the narrative ramifications and the emotional weight of what goes down.
The impeccable dialogue is one thing, but the performances across the board are all great, each bringing their respective characters to life in a way that makes them interesting. The mix of new and returning cast members blend seamlessly, making it impossible to discern who is a new addition and who is an OG. Some standouts include Jennifer Hale as Jean Grey, Matthew Waterson as Magneto, Cal Dodd as Wolverine and JP Karliak as Morph... among all the others I'll refrain from listing. The chemistry they share is part of what makes this X-Men team dynamic so strong - you get the sense that they're a tight-knit family across every scene no matter which characters are the focus.
In the end, X-Men '97 is a triumph in the world of animation, continuing what was a beloved series and evolving it into something potentially even greater. The writing and dialogue is world-class, come of the best and most compelling content I've ever had the pleasure of witnessing. The narrative keeps you on your roes for the entire season, offering stacks of surprises and jaw-dropping moments that are tough to recover from. Whether you're an OG fan or this is your first introduction, it's an accessible watch for all viewers, containing one of the best X-Men journeys ever put to screen.
9.1/10
No comments:
Post a Comment