X-Men '97 Premiere Review: The True Definition of a Sequel (2024)

X-Men ’97 is finally here and is available to stream on Disney+. Now we all expected, even knew that X-Men ’97 was going to be a direct continuation of the X-Men: Animated Series (1992). The story picks up right where it left off with the death of Professor Charles Xavier and the aftermath of it. However, even though it is very well done, did the series stand up to what we expected from it? Or was Marvel able to pull off what they promised? Let’s try to figure that out.

Does X-Men ’97 Live Up to Our Expectations?

The very first skepticism I had towards X-Men ’97 was the capability of this show to live up to the legacy set by X-Men: The Animated Series. However, it turns out that X-Men ’97 not only lives up to the expectations people had from it but was able to do something new and awesome like Gambit charging up Wolverine’s claws. If you have watched X-Men: The Animated Series, trust me when I say it, watching X-Men ’97 will feel like you have hopped on the next season of it. The story fits in extremely well with no cracks in the flow whatsoever, which is truly remarkable.

Another noteworthy thing here is that watching X-Men ’97, it seems that Marvel knew what they were doing. They knew that this was not a new show but a sequel and they treated it like that. No new character is exclusively introduced or something like that they just, show up which adds to the effect of a natural flow of picking up an incomplete story. I have to say that after what Marvel has been doing recently with its projects, I had no hopes from Marvel except for Deadpool 3 but X-Men ’97 told me that Marvel is still in the game.

X-Men ’97: A Trip Down Memory Lane

Now, since we have talked about the stakes for X-Men ’97, let’s talk about its animation style. According to me, launching a series in the OG 90’s style animation in 2024 was a huge gamble but also a rather genius move by Marvel.

Okay so first, there were two possibilities. One, people will complain about why they chose to keep it retro instead of just making it like other modern-day animated shows. Second, it will hit the sweet spot in the brain of every 90’s kid who grew up watching X-Men: The Animated Series creating an instant sense of familiarity and deep nostalgia. And as it turns out, the second possibility stood victorious.

Talking about the retro appeal of the show, one of the best things about this show was the voice cast of it. X-Men ’97 managed to bring back some of the original voice actors from the 90’s. Cathal J. Dodd who voiced Wolverine in X-Men: The Animated Series has reprised his role in X-Men ’97 along with George Buza as The Beast, Lenore Zann as Rogue, Alison Sealy-Smith as Storm, and in the upcoming episodes, Christopher Britton as Mister Sinister.

As of now, this is the returning cast we know about yet but even if they don’t bring in anyone else, these actors are enough to bring back memories from our childhood to the show. This, I appreciate coming from Marvel Studios.

But is X-Men ’97 Really Good?

Now, it is pretty evident that the main factor at play about X-Men ’97 is not just nostalgia. Of course, it has to be good as well storywise to be called an overall good watch. So, where does the show stand? Well, if you ask me, judging by the events that unfolded in the first two episodes, it’s safe to say that this series is going to keep us hooked till the very end.

I don’t wish to spoil the experience for you guys I’m gonna tell you that by the end of episode 2 of X-Men ’97, Magneto becomes the leader of the X-Men. Now, for the sake of maintaining some suspense about the show for you folks, I’m not gonna divulge many details.

When this series was announced, the biggest question in my mind was as simple as “Should they do it after so long?” and the simple answer to that is, why not? Since the last X-Men movie from Fox Studios, we have not received anything around X-Men from Marvel except the upcoming Deadpool and Wolverine movie.

So, if Marvel wants to bring back the X-Men in animation as well, I see no reason for not doing that. The borderline is, if the show is well done, people are going to watch it. The only thing the audience asks for is a good representation of characters they have loved forever and if Marvel can do that even after two decades, we as audience are going to welcome it. Overall, X-Men ’97 in the first two episodes has shown extreme potential and I can’t wait to see the next episode which will arrive on March 27, 2024. Till then, stay tuned with us for further updates!