The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20241008095041/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/x-men-97/season-1/
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Disney+
Mar 20, 2024
Disney+
Mar 20, 2024
SummaryThe mutant heroes must carry on after the death of Professor X in the animated series that begins after where X-Men: The Animated Series ended in 1997.
SummaryThe mutant heroes must carry on after the death of Professor X in the animated series that begins after where X-Men: The Animated Series ended in 1997.
X-Men ’97 goes all-in on the requisite campiness, high-stakes action, and potent parallels that made the original, as well as the comics that inspired it, so much fun.
Despite “X-Men ‘97” leaning too hard into heavier drama, this is an excellent continuation of a fan-favorite series. .... “X-Men ‘97” is the real deal.
X-Men ’97 is a superb work that encompasses all the paradoxes and conflicts I seek in a superhero universe, both in terms of story and visuals. And it emerges as another 10 out of 10 series in a season where “Shogun” is seen as a perfect 10. Another splendid show.
It features a solid voice cast and a vibrant new visual style marked by several spectacular action sequences. It’s also a series that illustrates just how powerful the mutant metaphor is even three decades later. Marvel fans of any age would do well to give X-Men ‘97 a look.
The pace can be dizzying, but when rendered in the pleasantly throwback, neon-colored, two-dimensional style of the original, it’s also engaging. There’s no time for things to drag when the plot is this packed.
Taking advantage of the streaming format and passage of time, “X-Men ‘97” is a little more adult in tone than the original, though it remains true to its spirit and incorporates plenty of familiar trappings, from the animation style to the memorable musical theme.
It’s truly a fun watch for adults who grew up watching the original series, though that nostalgia will only carry some fans so far. But it’s also a bit dense for kids to pick up jumping in (at least without the first five seasons of the decades-old version to get acclimated), and the ‘90s setting and history might be a tough sell for newcomers. But whoever it’s for, we’re so glad Marvel willed it into existence.
Soulless cash grab so Disney can sell more action figures and merchandise. I wish they cared as much about the story as they do the merchandising profits. They changed SO much but kept the name Xmen 97 exactly for that. No Professor X, not keeping many original voice actor, significantly different animation for half the cast, forcing transpolitics down our throats. I just wanted to enjoy my favorite cartoon growing up but it doesn't resemble that at all. X-men was always about equality and justice for all but celebrating mental illness was never part of the show.
