Why X-MEN '97 Should Be Marvel's Standard for Future Projects
by Amanda Vincent
Marvel's latest phase didn't have the magic of the Infinity Saga (the films from Iron Man to Avengers: Endgame ), and there has been a noticeable decline in quality. This has led to many fans disengaging with Marvel and lowering their expectations.
However, a few projects exceed expectations and prove that Marvel can still make amazing content. Last March, X-Men '97 debuted on Disney+ and was an instant hit. The show picks up after the end of X-Men: The Animated Series, which concluded in 1996. It keeps the core spirit of the original while including updated animation and opening with a fresh new version of the iconic theme song. Highlighting Dynamics X-MEN '97 Season 1. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL.
As a long-time X-Men fan, I think this show is nearly flawless. It highlights the intimate relationships between the team members. It allows them to feel like a true family that loves each other regardless of conflict.
RELATED: TV Review: X-Men '97 Season 1
At their best, the X-Men operate like soap opera characters. The show leans into this heavily, starting strong with Scott (Cyclops) discovering that Mr. Sinister replaced his wife, Jean Grey, with a clone. The clone (Madelyne) had just given birth to their child, making things even more complicated. Jean catches Scott and Madelyne having a psychic moment together and struggles to trust her husband again.
Along with this, Rogue and Remy (Gambit)'s relationship becomes complicated when Erik enters the picture. We discover that Rogue and Erik have a past, and she still cares deeply for him. Because of his magnetism powers, Erik is the one person Rogue can touch without harming, something she could never do with Remy. The Sentinel Master Mold kills Remy in the middle of the season, sending Rogue into a spiral of grief and anger. Individual Moments to Shine X-MEN '97 Season 1. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL.
X-Men '97 does a fantastic job of balancing a larger team and giving each core member their moment to shine. It was fun to see characters like Nightcrawler, Morph, and Cable play pivotal roles in the plot, as they were not always present in the original series.
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Storm's character arc stands out. Early in the show, her powers are taken from her, leading to a journey of self-discovery and rejuvenation. She connects with Forge, a mutant who can invent anything he can imagine. He endeavors to help her regain her powers. With Forge, they encounter The Adversary, a demonic entity whose sole purpose is to destroy the universe.
While resisting The Adversary's psychic attacks, Storm regains her powers, and she comes back stronger than ever. I always felt the original animated series and the Fox movies underused Storm, so it was well overdue to give her a quality story. Character-Driven Stories X-MEN '97 Season 1. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL.
The show's plot is engaging and energetic because of its compelling characters. When Marvel focuses on telling character-driven stories, rather than making projects for the sake of the larger universe, they are at their best.
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The show also excels at providing terrifying villains. Mr. Sinister, The Adversary, and Bastion, a human-Sentinel hybrid, are all genuinely scary and are not easy for the team to defeat. It's been a while since a Marvel project had a quality antagonist, so this was refreshing to see.
X-Men '97 should serve as a blueprint for Marvel's future projects and is truly one of the best representations of the X-Men on screen.
Going forward, Marvel should zoom in on the story they want to tell for each film and Disney+ show, rather than always zooming out to the next big event. Thunderbolts* and Daredevil: Born Again are two projects that show promise for the future.
RELATED: Thunderbolts* : Does the Film Hide an Original Comic Book Member in Plain Sight? Thunderbolts*
Like X-Men '97, Thunderbolts* successfully gives the audience more insight into characters who had not been given much attention while also setting up the MCU's next big event. The film also explores themes of grief and trauma while creating a compelling and heartwarming family dynamic.
Each member of the New Avengers roster gets their moment, both in the action scenes and in more emotional ones. The film feels different from the typical Marvel formula. It's stylistically creative and a fun reset from a long stretch of mediocre films. The film's antagonist, The Void, is truly an unexpected and creative twist, and is chilling to watch on screen. Daredevil: Born Again
Daredevil: Born Again also excels with its antagonist, Wilson Fisk (Kingpin). Just like in the original series, Fisk is a formidable threat not only to Daredevil but all of New York City. The show's stakes continue to rise as Fisk becomes Mayor and assumes control of those around him. The first season ends with a cliffhanger, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats to see if Daredevil and his allies can win in the end.
RELATED: Who Is Bob Reynolds, the Newest Hero Introduced in Thunderbolts* ?
Like X-Men '97 , the show is grounded in its setting and is not focused on establishing the next crossover event or bigger film. Born Again completely immerses itself in New York City. Each episode includes interviews with residents expressing their thoughts on Fisk's mayoral campaign and the aftermath of his taking office. The show is a great example of zooming in and fully committing to the story. Learning From X-Men '97
Both projects could benefit from more in-depth exploration of their characters while highlighting the strengths of everyone in the cast. Still, it appears Marvel is headed in the right direction. Hopefully, future projects can do this even better.
With The Fantastic Four: First Steps coming out this month, we will soon learn if this new era of Marvel is on the brink of success or more of the same mediocrity.
X-Men '97 Season 1 is now streaming on Disney+.
DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN Season 2 Sees the Return of Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones
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