X-Men '97: A Mixed Bag of Nostalgia and Missed Opportunities
Introduction
X-Men '97 had a lot of hype surrounding it, and for good reason. The idea of reviving the beloved 90s animated series with modern twists was exciting for long-time fans. However, while there were moments of brilliance, the series often stumbled, squandering some of its most compelling potential. Below, I break down my thoughts on the character arcs, animation, and overall direction of X-Men '97, highlighting what worked—and what didn’t.
🚨 Spoiler Warning 🚨
Jubilee and Morph: Forced Additions
Jubilee and Morph felt like forced additions to the lineup that didn’t quite hit the mark. Jubilee’s youthful energy does bring a fun dynamic to the more mature characters, but she’s not why we tune in to watch the X-Men. Her heavy involvement in one of the main arcs was more annoying than engaging, as it detracted from more complex and compelling characters.
Morph, on the other hand, was an entirely pointless addition. He seemed to exist solely for, ahem, woke DEI reasons, and his presence felt unnecessary. Thankfully, he remains a minor character, so his impact on the storyline is minimal. However, both characters felt out of place compared to the rest of the team. If you have a keen eye, you can see where their inclusion feels more like a checkbox exercise than a natural fit for the narrative.
Instead of focusing on Jubilee and Morph, the series would have benefited from dedicating more screen time to characters like Wolverine, whose gruff wisdom and relentless spirit are the heart and soul of the X-Men. His absence in the spotlight was felt, and having more of his iconic presence would have elevated the show significantly.
Magneto: A Wasted Leadership Arc
Magneto was one of the most exciting prospects of X-Men ’97. The idea of Charles Xavier leaving the school and entrusting the X-Men to his greatest friend and rival, Magneto, was brilliant. I was thrilled by the potential of exploring Magneto in a role we’ve never seen before—as the leader of the X-Men. It was an opportunity to see him engage with each team member, adapting to their unique strengths and learning to lead not by fear, but by example.
But what we got was only a handful of episodes with Magneto in charge before the writers reverted him back to his old ways. It was a real disappointment, as this arc had so much potential to deepen his character. A season or more of Magneto struggling to fit into his new role would have been fascinating, especially if he grew to love leading the X-Men, only for a dramatic event to force him back into his old mindset. Instead, the show squandered this potential, giving us a shallow exploration that barely scratched the surface.
The Animation: A Mixed Bag
Visually, X-Men '97 is both familiar and frustrating. While I mostly appreciated the updated art style, there were some noticeable differences compared to the original series. Revisiting my favorite episode, "Slave Island," I was struck by the difference in animation quality. Although the original series had a lower fidelity by today’s standards, its animation was more detailed and smoother. X-Men '97, whether due to artistic choice or limitations, often feels choppy. While this isn’t always distracting, it can be hard to watch at times.
The creature designs were another sticking point for me. They leaned too heavily into anime-inspired aesthetics, making the monsters overly grotesque. This not only clashed with the iconic look of the animated X-Men but also made the show feel out of place for younger viewers. It’s a shame because the animation could have been a major highlight, yet instead, it occasionally pulls you out of the experience.
The Fast and the Furious and X-Men ’97
X-Men ’97 is just the latest casualty of Hollywood’s obsession with warping the concept of family, a trend most notoriously popularized by The Fast and the Furious franchise. It seems like every movie and TV show these days is obsessed with creating “families” out of people who have no real reason to call themselves that. Sure, I love the idea of building connections and learning to care for those around you, but let’s not kid ourselves: my friends—though awesome ;)—aren’t my family, and neither are my co-workers. This same mindset has crept into X-Men ’97, where the sense of true, complex familial bonds are abandoned for the idea that you can make a family out of whatever you want it to be.
While the focus on Cyclops, Jean, and Cable is a refreshing nod to authentic familial ties, the broader narrative embraces the idea that families are whatever you make of them, which feels hollow. It’s frustrating to see these powerful, authentic relationships almost overshadowed by a trend that simplifies family to just a collection of people who share something in common. X-Men has always celebrated finding community and acceptance, but not at the expense of recognizing real, irreplaceable bonds. This shift reduces the X-Men’s once-rich narrative into just another story trying too hard to follow the current trend of redefining family into something it’s not.
What Worked: Nostalgia and Fan Favorites
Despite my frustrations, there were definitely aspects of X-Men '97 that I genuinely enjoyed. Seeing old favorites like Cable, Bishop, and Mister Sinister back in action was a treat, sparking that nostalgic joy that originally drew me to the X-Men universe. The series did a great job of bringing these characters back in a way that felt true to their original arcs, and it was a delight to see them involved in the plot again.
I also appreciated seeing Nightcrawler back on the team and having some good moments. His charm and religious complexity always add a unique dynamic to the X-Men, and his presence was a highlight of the series. However, I couldn’t help but wish for more screen time devoted to Wolverine. Wolverine is the guy that everyone wants to see, and while he had a few great moments to shine, we didn’t get to see any progression to his character.
Conclusion
X-Men '97 had the potential to be a standout revival of the beloved 90s series, but it faltered by not fully capitalizing on its most compelling storylines. While some arcs, like those involving Magneto, showed promise, they were ultimately underdeveloped, leaving much to be desired. The animation, although nostalgic, often felt uneven and out of sync with the series’ established tone. Still, the return of beloved characters and fan-favorite moments kept the spirit of the original alive. Overall, while X-Men '97 has its bright spots, it often misses the mark, reminding us that sometimes, less is more when it comes to reimagining beloved classics.
