'X-Men '97' Episode 1 "To Me My X-Men" Review
Image Source: YouTube
The X-Men have returned! Nostalgia hits you hard from the get-go watching this as Marvel has completely remade the original intro theme and video. The intro song to the original is so iconic that they couldn't not use it. The theme has been modernised, but it's done respectfully.
The Episode starts in a dark and dingy warehouse, where a mutant teenager has been kidnapped by some anti-mutant thugs. The X-Men quickly appear to save the teen, The Thugs have old Sentinel technology at their disposal, but our favourite mutants still make quick work of them.
It's glorious to see this depiction of the X-Men in combat again. Hearing Storm announce her entrance to the episode in her ethereal hyperbolic tone sent shivers down my spine. Cyclops, now leader of the team, has developed a cocky streak, and nearly blows the whole warehouse up unleashing his powers.
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The teenager, later revealed to be the solar-powered mutant Sunspot, is saved and taken back to the X-Mansion, and the X-Men push the kid for information on where the thugs got the sentinel technology from.
This is where we get to catch up with the rest of the X-Men and find out what’s been going on since the original series went off air. About a year has passed, and It's quickly established that former recurring characters Bishop and Morph are now full team members. Gambit and Rogue's relationship is still as toxic as it was, and Wolverine still has problems letting go of his feelings for Jean Grey. All issues these characters dealt with in the original show. It feels like a natural progression, as if a new season of the show is starting, whereas in reality, it's been nearly 30 since the show was last airing new episodes.
To keep in that tone of being a natural continuation, the 90’s setting is very apparent. From the style of the character's clothes, the technology they are seen using, to the music in the bars, and Cyclops doing his best Bart Simpson impression by quipping "Please! don’t take my glasses! I surrender...Not!" A lot of effort has been made into giving this show a 90's aesthetic and it shows.
Image Source: Game Rant
Sunspot tells the X-Men he has no idea about the thugs' sentinel technology and runs away from the X-mansion. The Team splits up; Wolverine, Jubilee, Gambit, and Rogue go after the Sunspot, whilst Cyclops and the others go for former arch-villain Geyrich, to get answers on the Sentinels.
Sunspot is saved, and Geyrich reveals Sentinel creator Bolivar Trask's location, as well as the existence of a new Master Mold, The X-Men reassemble, and go after Trask. After a rather moustache-twirling speech from Trask, a fight ensues between the X-Men and his 'Zombie' Sentinels. Or rather sentinels from the trash heap which are already half-destroyed. This fight scene is epic. The Sentinels are a great choice for first villains. Not only is it a throwback to the first episode of the original show (Sentinels were the first villain there as well) but it really gives the team a chance to unleash and show off all their powers. There are some cool moments here, like Beast taking control of a sentinel, Storm summoning a huge hurricane, and Gambit setting Wolverine's adamantium (metal) skeleton to blow, and using him as a bomb to take out Master Mold.
Image Source: Flickering Myth
Once Trask and Master Mold are dealt with, the team returns to the X-mansion, where we see Jubilee and Robert (Sunspot) talking about the school. The storyline with Sunspot is a throwback to Jubilee herself joining the team. Even though he doesn’t join the team here and goes off on his own, I feel this is not the last we've seen of him.
The episode ends with a tantalising new reveal. Right after Cyclops and Jean Grey announce their intentions to leave the X-Men to raise their child, Magneto arrives at the mansion and reveals Charles Xavier left the mansion, the X-Men, and everything he owned to him. These are huge reveals, and massively hint at where the story is going
Image Source: Screen Rant
Overall, this is a really strong first episode. The Animation is crisp and beautiful. Feeling like a modern take on the original style. Some of the original voice cast has returned, and that helps give this show that authentic feel. Alison Sealy-Smith and George Buza absolutely dominate their performances of Storm and Beast respectively, sounding exactly like the original show
With that said, it has to be said that some voices do sound a bit off. I commend the choice to use the original voice actors where they can, but, unfortunately, some of their voices, such as Lenore Zann have aged noticeably more than their character counterparts. Most of the new actors also do well in bringing these iconic characters and voices back to life. Ray Chase's Cyclops & A.J. LoCascio's Gambit are the standouts. Unfortunately again, Some of the New actors, especially Cal Dodd's Wolverine don’t quite get the the voices right, which is a little jarring.
There are lots of nods and cameos for dedicated fans all through this episode. Too many to mention here, but I have to mention Morph and some of the people he transformed into throughout this episode, really brought a smile to the face.
Score: 9/10
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