Ricky Church reviews the second episode of X-Men ’97…
Series revivals/reboots/sequels years after they ended can be a tricky thing, but if you thought the great premiere of X-Men ’97 was a fluke the second episode will cement the fact this isn’t a trip down nostalgia lane for the sake of it. ‘Mutant Liberation Begins’ is the insightful episode you’d remember from the original series with plenty of character development and deep themes while still being light enough for a young audience. The two-episode premiere shows the X-Men are back in their former glory.
Following the premiere’s cliffhanger, the apparently reformed Magneto is now leading the X-Men per Xavier’s final wishes and is making quick work to show both the X-Men and the world that he is a changed man – even if he still retains his arrogance when taking shots at Cyclops’ leadership and the team’s inability to protect the world the way he would have. As the new voice for Magneto, Matthew Waterson strikes the right balance between his arrogance and charisma, but where he really succeeds is in the former supervillains emotion. Whether he’s talking about his friendship with Xavier or making his case to the UN, Waterson puts on a great display as to why Magneto is one of the most interesting characters not only in X-Men, but in all of Marvel.
The episode taps into its serious drama when Magneto is out on trial at the UN for his past crimes. If nothing else, this sequence shows how relevant the X-Men still are as Magneto talks back to officials looking to make soundbites played for the news and how the struggles of mutantkind are real and valid. Even the sequence where anti-mutant protesters get too violent recalls many events we’ve seen play out in recent years. With Magneto’s anger, it really did raise the question whether or not he would revert back to his old ways and take vengeance on the X-Cutioner and the UN. While he didn’t – and gave very good reasons not to due to Xavier’s faith in him and coexistence – the possibility for his turn is still there like a ticking bomb.
Magneto’s potential redemption isn’t the only strong story point as the episode opened up a wealth of possibilities for the characters. Jean Grey and Storm shared a lovely scene together that reminded the audience the X-Men aren’t just a superhero team, but a family in more ways than teams like the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy or DC’s Justice League are. It’s made all the more heartbreaking when the X-Cutioner’s weapon took away Storm’s mutant abilities, seemingly permanently, and gives her a profound sense of loss and disconnect.
Alison Sealy-Smith gave a tremendous and emotional performance in the final minutes as Storm made her decision to leave the X-Men and find her own path. It should also be noted Jennifer Hale is equally impressive as Jean Grey’s new voice, matching Smith’s emotion and devastation at her exit. Even among Cyclops and Jean’s struggle to stay with the team or form new lives as parents and whatever is going on between Rogue and Magneto, X-Men ’97 is pushing its boundaries and taking the characters to new places rather than regurgitating the same old stories.
The animation is again impressive throughout the episode, keeping the original’s style and blending it with the cleaner, modern process of today. Combined with the voice cast’s performances, their emotions bleed through their detailed expressions and movements. Though the action sequence isn’t as epic as the premiere’s fight against Sentinels, it was well animated and choreographed, particularly the moment where Morph changes into a bunch of different mutants to fight against their foes, and the power of Magneto and Storm was well emphasized.
Also worthy of note is the Newton Brothers’ score. Not only is their take on classic X-Men theme amazing, but the rest of the score sounds great too, blending synth and orchestra to lend more emotion and gravitas to the final minutes of Magneto’s speech to the UN and Storm’s departure. It really is great to listen to.
X-Men ’97 does not let up with ‘Mutant Liberation Begins’ and shows just how much like its predecessor it strives to be with its lightheartedness and serious storytelling and character development. The voice cast knock it out of the park and there is a lot of potential for where their characters and the stories will go to make this series feel fresh and relevant to today’s audience, whether you’re a grown-up who watched the original or are being introduced to Marvel’s mutants for the first time. It is markedly not a cheap reboot and has something to say.
Rating: 8/10
New episodes of X-Men ’97 stream on Wednesdays on Disney+.
Ricky Church – Follow me on Twitter for more movie news and nerd talk.
