The show is moving at a rapid pace so far, but I'll take that compared to the heavy filler that a lot of shows have. This quick pacing means that the episode's tragic reveal that one of the Jean's was switched out for the other at some unspecified time feels unfair and disorienting. I, however, think this whiplash serves the narrative. The clone Jean having to deal with the loss of both Scott and her baby hits hard even though we've only spent three episodes with these characters. Both Jeans feel like us- having to deal with new information that de-humanizes both. The consequences are severe in a way that I've rarely seen in any superhero show (that last moment with original Jean looking at Scott who can't look at her is heartbreaking). In X-Men 97' the paradigm can change at any moment and change the characters forever.
11 Reviews
Great!
deadpoolrocks-0835928 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I read the inferno saga and didn't really enjoy it all that much. It was very cheesy especially with madelyn Pryor being the goblin queen and the demons from limbo were like dinosaurs. So I'm glad they wrapped up the inferno saga pretty fast. I was surprised that they decided to keep madelyn Pryor alive unlike the comics and also to not include limbo. I think the show did a good job hitting the major points of the inferno saga. I'm excited to see how they're going to give storm her powers back, especially because it was a big part in the comics and was done in the inferno saga and I'm excited to see more especially from Forge!
Straightforward and Enjoyable Episode
infinitetyler28 March 2024
This is a difficult show to review (although I've already learned that rating it anything other than a "1" or a "10" will get you downvoted to oblivion lol) because it's basically 50cc's of nostalgia wrapped in a friendly IP. Do you rate it against 'The Incredibles", or "Thundercats"? It's safe to say 'X-Men 97' falls somewhere between those.
That being said, I like how dark this episode is. Episode 1 was expository, Episode 2 was cool but preachy, but this one is pretty straightforward mutant-vs-mutant chicanery. I like that Mr. Sinister is just evil, and the writers aren't trying to make the audience sympathize with him through some kind of unconvincing backstory. I still don't understand Morph's upgrades: is he Mystique, or is he Shang Tsung from Mortal Kombat? The ending was kind of cheesy, but it also established several pieces of the story which the writers can use later on, while simultaneously putting all of the characters back in their original places(more or less). Well played!
Episode 3 is my favorite so far. I realize a lot of people are triggered by someone having opinions about '97, but rating it a 1 or a 10 is being melodramatic. Aside from a few minor things, it stays relatively true to the original, so depending on how you feel about TAS will likely determine how you feel about 'X-Men '97'. This was the most apolitical, entertainment-oriented episode so far, and hopefully the show continues down this path.
That being said, I like how dark this episode is. Episode 1 was expository, Episode 2 was cool but preachy, but this one is pretty straightforward mutant-vs-mutant chicanery. I like that Mr. Sinister is just evil, and the writers aren't trying to make the audience sympathize with him through some kind of unconvincing backstory. I still don't understand Morph's upgrades: is he Mystique, or is he Shang Tsung from Mortal Kombat? The ending was kind of cheesy, but it also established several pieces of the story which the writers can use later on, while simultaneously putting all of the characters back in their original places(more or less). Well played!
Episode 3 is my favorite so far. I realize a lot of people are triggered by someone having opinions about '97, but rating it a 1 or a 10 is being melodramatic. Aside from a few minor things, it stays relatively true to the original, so depending on how you feel about TAS will likely determine how you feel about 'X-Men '97'. This was the most apolitical, entertainment-oriented episode so far, and hopefully the show continues down this path.
The animation.. wow!
and_mikkelsen13 April 2024
While the story in this episode, was good and emotional too, what really stuck with me, was how incredible the animation was!
This episode had moments where it felt almost cinematic! It was vibrant, creative and overall a treat to look at! They really nailed the fight scenes, that just keeps surprising me, with their level of quality!
I enjoyed the story as well! It was exciting and creative with an emotional conclusion that I did not see coming! I have never read the comics so lot of this is, first time experience! However it shows just have many different storylines there are and there are no bounderies!
This episode had moments where it felt almost cinematic! It was vibrant, creative and overall a treat to look at! They really nailed the fight scenes, that just keeps surprising me, with their level of quality!
I enjoyed the story as well! It was exciting and creative with an emotional conclusion that I did not see coming! I have never read the comics so lot of this is, first time experience! However it shows just have many different storylines there are and there are no bounderies!
Heartbreaking
scrobert31 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
As a parent, heartbroken... this episode was so good visually and emotionally. Best so far in my book. I'm starting to get use to the characters appearance but I must say the animation is awesome. When Madelyne is turning the mansion into an horror movie, wow !!
I hope it continues to be this good and go on path we didn't visit yet. I love the connection with the original show so far.
The part when they figure that Nathan needs to go with Bishop, I was broken. The thoughts of leaving my kids ... as babies, knowing that they will never know you. Its devastating. I wonder how much it will affect Jean and Cyclops in the future.
I hope it continues to be this good and go on path we didn't visit yet. I love the connection with the original show so far.
The part when they figure that Nathan needs to go with Bishop, I was broken. The thoughts of leaving my kids ... as babies, knowing that they will never know you. Its devastating. I wonder how much it will affect Jean and Cyclops in the future.
Inferno Saga?! Wow I can''t wa... wait, that's it?
mellowgeekstudio28 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Kind of a letdown that they teased the Inferno Saga and it ended up before it even began, with Morph for no in-story reason assuming Lylandra's appearence as a teenager only to be mind controlled by Madelyine to assume her inferno appearence for a quick reference.
I mean, I loved that there are such references (like Rogue and Magneto in the Savage Land outfits) but it would be so much better if they weren't so shallow like the ones in this episode and actually made sense in the story.
And to top that disapointingment we have a teaser for Storm return. I really hoped we would get more episodes without her.
Nathan's technorganic virus was a nice surprise though. Never imagined we would actually see that, albeit briefly, in the X-Men animated universe.
Here is hope that the next ones briing back the quality of the first two and this one won't set up a trend.
I mean, I loved that there are such references (like Rogue and Magneto in the Savage Land outfits) but it would be so much better if they weren't so shallow like the ones in this episode and actually made sense in the story.
And to top that disapointingment we have a teaser for Storm return. I really hoped we would get more episodes without her.
Nathan's technorganic virus was a nice surprise though. Never imagined we would actually see that, albeit briefly, in the X-Men animated universe.
Here is hope that the next ones briing back the quality of the first two and this one won't set up a trend.
What?!
kyliemm24 May 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Jean was actually Madelyn Pryor! The real Jean came back!
After the last episode with Magneto's speech which was brilliant, the show turned to another aspect: who is Jean and who is Madelyn. At first I was confused on what was happening with Madelyn but I realized it was Mister Sinister controlling her, just from the shape of the diamond on her head. It makes sense too since she was created by him to have a child with Scott to "create the perfect mutant".
It was sad having to watch Madelyn leave and having Nathan go to the future to be cured so basically, Scott lost everything in one day. I couldn't help but feel bad for him.
After the last episode with Magneto's speech which was brilliant, the show turned to another aspect: who is Jean and who is Madelyn. At first I was confused on what was happening with Madelyn but I realized it was Mister Sinister controlling her, just from the shape of the diamond on her head. It makes sense too since she was created by him to have a child with Scott to "create the perfect mutant".
It was sad having to watch Madelyn leave and having Nathan go to the future to be cured so basically, Scott lost everything in one day. I couldn't help but feel bad for him.
Fire Made Flesh
Prismark103 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
The third episode might have been a little rushed but that is not such a bad thing.
However I did find some characters were sidelined. It might be because they might have been absent in the original comic strip story.
With another Jean Grey arriving at the mansion. The rest of the X-Men are confused. None more so than Jean Grey who has given birth to her son, Nathan.
Now after some examinations. Beast tells her and Cyclops that the Jean Grey who has been in the house, delivered a baby and is attached with Cyclops is an impostor. A clone.
Behind it all is Sinister who is after the baby Nathan. While the cloned Jean Grey becomes the Goblin Queen.
I thought in terms of narrative, it did not flow as well from the first two episodes. I felt all of a sudden it was a different cartoon show.
That might be because X-Men 97 has gone for the episodic route. With different comics being adapted for this season.
However I did find some characters were sidelined. It might be because they might have been absent in the original comic strip story.
With another Jean Grey arriving at the mansion. The rest of the X-Men are confused. None more so than Jean Grey who has given birth to her son, Nathan.
Now after some examinations. Beast tells her and Cyclops that the Jean Grey who has been in the house, delivered a baby and is attached with Cyclops is an impostor. A clone.
Behind it all is Sinister who is after the baby Nathan. While the cloned Jean Grey becomes the Goblin Queen.
I thought in terms of narrative, it did not flow as well from the first two episodes. I felt all of a sudden it was a different cartoon show.
That might be because X-Men 97 has gone for the episodic route. With different comics being adapted for this season.
Was This Necessary?
cosby_don29 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I just don't ... think... this episode was necessary, at least, not after the first two somewhat decent episodes. The X-men had just gotten together to fight the Sentinels. Magneto took councilmen from the UN and made a long speech about how he's trying to change his ways. Storm just lost her powers. Why not continue those story arcs or at least something connected to it?
This episode was a bit of a letdown. I'd have rather it been episode 6-8 or something.
Plus, if you wanted X-Men 97 to be new but keep elements of the 90s show, why not have more of a sophisticated direction during the "Hell" scenes where they're fighting goblins and seeing evil things. The 90s show would've done much better with this I think.
And Bishop has already left? He said like 3 words this far!
Again, it was ok but should've been a later episode, not episode 3.
This episode was a bit of a letdown. I'd have rather it been episode 6-8 or something.
Plus, if you wanted X-Men 97 to be new but keep elements of the 90s show, why not have more of a sophisticated direction during the "Hell" scenes where they're fighting goblins and seeing evil things. The 90s show would've done much better with this I think.
And Bishop has already left? He said like 3 words this far!
Again, it was ok but should've been a later episode, not episode 3.
Inferno
z39racer28 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Not much you can say on this. I liked the inferno saga in the comics. This episode just touches base on it and not very well. It could have left as a cliff hanger for Jean and Madelyn but it just awkwardly sums it up with out any true conclusion.
The mutants get sent to limbo in the mansion. Jean saves them. Magneto takes a team to save Nathan. Madelyn beats them up only to find Nathan with the techno organic virus. Madelyn quickly changes her tune. Becomes good again. She then gives Nathan to Bishop who takes him to the future. Her and Jean part ways. Both saying they don't know what memories are theirs or the other or when they were switched...
The mutants get sent to limbo in the mansion. Jean saves them. Magneto takes a team to save Nathan. Madelyn beats them up only to find Nathan with the techno organic virus. Madelyn quickly changes her tune. Becomes good again. She then gives Nathan to Bishop who takes him to the future. Her and Jean part ways. Both saying they don't know what memories are theirs or the other or when they were switched...
Cracks begin to show
MikeM198429 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I gave the first two episodes an 8/10 in a separate review - which is a solid score from me. I do not like to freely give out 9s and 10s. This however drops down to a 6/10, putting it closer to where I see the original X-Men cartoon. In my opinion the huge upgrade of the first two episodes is no longer present - which is fine. I never expected them to keep that quality of the first two.
I usually start with the negative, but today, the opposite, since they relate. One positive, or at least a story-telling trick they brought over from the effective and efficient original series was condensing and speed-running a larger story. The OG series did this with Phalanx Covenant and X-Tinction Agenda among others. This may have been too much - condensing both "Inferno", a huge crossover, and the climax of the original X-Factor comic, losing a lot of the emotional punch of those original issues. However I still think it was a wise decision. Inferno is just too big and too overwrought to do as a television show or movie. Watching Pryor and her demons lock down New York, while terrifying, would almost need a full season of set up all on its own, and a season before that just to explain the convoluted plot. This kept many of the themes and story ideas, while packaging it in something more approachable.
Magneto's inclusion was also interesting as he was absent from the comic story. He was a good way to show how powerful Pryor is - which, to be honest, wasn't the strong suit of the original story in the comics.
Making Morph and Logan potentially gay lovers is interesting. I feel like the story really wants to pull the trigger on that and I wish they would. I'm putting it in "the good" category, but that could change depending on how that shapes out. Certainly a lot of signs there, even going back to the original series.
The ending. Not to spoil too much but Forge shows up and I want to cry, and cry, and cry. I think this episode would be a 5/10 if I wasn't screaming Forge at my Tablet at the end. Forge is a GOATed X-character, and the storyline they are setting up is chef's kiss.
The bad: Mannnnnnn, condensing my favorite story line sucks, and it cheapens the emotional weight of the original stories. It is both something I understand and applaud them for doing, but maybe wish they hadn't. The seeds that bear fruit from this will probably be worth it, but it was a tough call.
Morph's powers are too ill defined and he is too overpowered. He shouldn't just be a cameo factory, especially when those cameos make no sense. Illyana is still like four years old in this Universe.
The main problem is the aging voice actors. Difficult to listen to - often awkward in scenes where they are expressing love to a younger actor. I think in Jean Grey's case, at least, it is the original. The female cast all sounds relatively unchanged, save for Rogue, whose added raspiness actually makes the voice better, not worse. The men though sound rough. Beast especially, who we get a lot of, and Logan, who we get a fair bit of.
This really makes me wonder why newer voice actors were not brought back. The replacement voice actors, who sounded wonkier in episodes one and two, now settle into their roles and sound more natural. The Morph one, despite my annoyance with the character's plot device nature, is actually a huge upgrade over the more cartoonish sounding original. Magneto sounds great as well. So why not just recast or bring in veterans like Steve Blum who are more iconic than the originals.
The problem here is this is where we question why X-Men '97 in the first place. Why not X-Men '84, and a more faithful 616 continuity, a la, Avengers Earth's Mightiest heroes.
I am willing to overlook this. I am also happy the show is brought back down to Earth, and the episodes are now no better than some of the originals' best. So I don't consider this to be an overall harsh review. The cracks are there though, and Marvel has had issues sticking the landing. For me, I think LifeDeath will redeem this series entirely, and maybe even a kind of Fall of the Mutants send off. We'll see what happens. If Inferno is a kind of causality for that, it's a worthy trade off.
I usually start with the negative, but today, the opposite, since they relate. One positive, or at least a story-telling trick they brought over from the effective and efficient original series was condensing and speed-running a larger story. The OG series did this with Phalanx Covenant and X-Tinction Agenda among others. This may have been too much - condensing both "Inferno", a huge crossover, and the climax of the original X-Factor comic, losing a lot of the emotional punch of those original issues. However I still think it was a wise decision. Inferno is just too big and too overwrought to do as a television show or movie. Watching Pryor and her demons lock down New York, while terrifying, would almost need a full season of set up all on its own, and a season before that just to explain the convoluted plot. This kept many of the themes and story ideas, while packaging it in something more approachable.
Magneto's inclusion was also interesting as he was absent from the comic story. He was a good way to show how powerful Pryor is - which, to be honest, wasn't the strong suit of the original story in the comics.
Making Morph and Logan potentially gay lovers is interesting. I feel like the story really wants to pull the trigger on that and I wish they would. I'm putting it in "the good" category, but that could change depending on how that shapes out. Certainly a lot of signs there, even going back to the original series.
The ending. Not to spoil too much but Forge shows up and I want to cry, and cry, and cry. I think this episode would be a 5/10 if I wasn't screaming Forge at my Tablet at the end. Forge is a GOATed X-character, and the storyline they are setting up is chef's kiss.
The bad: Mannnnnnn, condensing my favorite story line sucks, and it cheapens the emotional weight of the original stories. It is both something I understand and applaud them for doing, but maybe wish they hadn't. The seeds that bear fruit from this will probably be worth it, but it was a tough call.
Morph's powers are too ill defined and he is too overpowered. He shouldn't just be a cameo factory, especially when those cameos make no sense. Illyana is still like four years old in this Universe.
The main problem is the aging voice actors. Difficult to listen to - often awkward in scenes where they are expressing love to a younger actor. I think in Jean Grey's case, at least, it is the original. The female cast all sounds relatively unchanged, save for Rogue, whose added raspiness actually makes the voice better, not worse. The men though sound rough. Beast especially, who we get a lot of, and Logan, who we get a fair bit of.
This really makes me wonder why newer voice actors were not brought back. The replacement voice actors, who sounded wonkier in episodes one and two, now settle into their roles and sound more natural. The Morph one, despite my annoyance with the character's plot device nature, is actually a huge upgrade over the more cartoonish sounding original. Magneto sounds great as well. So why not just recast or bring in veterans like Steve Blum who are more iconic than the originals.
The problem here is this is where we question why X-Men '97 in the first place. Why not X-Men '84, and a more faithful 616 continuity, a la, Avengers Earth's Mightiest heroes.
I am willing to overlook this. I am also happy the show is brought back down to Earth, and the episodes are now no better than some of the originals' best. So I don't consider this to be an overall harsh review. The cracks are there though, and Marvel has had issues sticking the landing. For me, I think LifeDeath will redeem this series entirely, and maybe even a kind of Fall of the Mutants send off. We'll see what happens. If Inferno is a kind of causality for that, it's a worthy trade off.
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