The storyline is surprisingly refined considering the infamously campy tone of other “X-Men” titles. Save for a couple of uninspired midseason arcs, each narrative thread is immensely engaging. All ten episodes are well-directed, and while there are copious amounts of filler, the plot remains airtight. This is supplemented by frequent character drama, which adds a layer of soapy emotional depth to the series. “X-Men ’97” maintains a clear and deliberate sense of development, culminating in a nail-biting season finale, and it’s likely that the momentum will carry on into the series’ officially greenlit second season. The dialogue is another one of the series’ greatest strengths with each character possessing a distinct vocal style. Some highlights include Rogue’s southern euphemisms and Magneto’s sophisticated monologues.
Despite this well-written dialogue, certain pieces of voicework come across as stiff and can be quite distracting at times. This is particularly true for Cyclops, whose overly rigid delivery detracts from the viewing experience. Many dramatic scenes are drained of their emotional weight by this trend of static, unfeeling voice acting, something that will hopefully see improvement in future seasons.
Compared to series such as “Invincible,” “X-Men ’97’s” animation is particularly polished with meticulous attention to detail. The visuals of “X-Men ’97” are stunning and feature a unique blend of classic animation styles from “X-Men: The Animated Series” and more modern animation techniques. Action scenes have dynamic movement and technical brilliance, backdropped by a palette of vivid colors.
Without prior exposure to “X-Men” titles–let alone the original cartoon–I was easily captivated by the series’ immediate action and resonant characters. Whether you’re a returning “X-Men” fan or a newcomer eager to get into a new franchise, “X-Men ’97” is a definite must-watch. Its fantastic storytelling, compelling character work, and stellar visuals are enough to earn my thumbs up.
Final Score: 4.5 / 5