[7.7/10] I loved the X-Men arcade game growing up, so an episode of X-Men ‘97 that pays tribute to it, while advancing the ball for Jubilee and Sunspot both personally and romantically, pushes all the right buttons for me.
I appreciate all the little touches in this one, from the tributes to the intro, aesthetic, and sounds of the arcade beat-em-up; to the homages to The Matrix built into this “trapped in a digital space” conceit; to the cheeky mention of Dazzler. (Fun fact: that famous X-Men arcade game was not actually based on X-Men: The Animated Series, but rather a peculiar one-off special called Pryde of the X-Men which featured Dazzler as a main character.) In many ways, the target audience for this show is Millennials who are nostalgic for their 1990s childhoods and adolescence, and this episode feeds that need expertly.
But it also deconstructs that idea, which is, if anything, even more laudable. The tone is cheeky, but the idea of a newly adult Jubilee yearning for the days when she was a kid without expectations or responsibilities who could while away the day at the mal resonates with a lot of the crusty grown-ups like me who grew up with the original show. The lesson and theme, that nostalgia is fun, but it’s important to keep growing and not retreat to the past, is a worthwhile one, especially coming from a show whose very existence depends on nostalgia.
Adding that disclaimer is commendable. The fact that it comes from an older Jubilee, voiced by Alyson Court, who played the role in the 1990s show, gives it some added resonance, for Jubilee and for the audience. When the person who gave up the role is the voice telling you it’s okay, even necessary, to move on, it can't help but hit harder.
The Sunspot arc is a little weaker. The connection between him not wanting tot ake the risk of people finding out what he really is, especially his mother, and him taking some risks in the video game world, is pretty thin. But it’s still something, and the fact that after going through the wringer together, he and Jubilee can admit their feelings adds some oomph to his part of the story as well.
The only thing I’m mixed on here is Mojo. In truth, he was one of the most annoying characters from the show’s original run, so I wasn’t exactly enamored to see him back. But this new incarnation of him is less grating than the old one. Plus, despite the episode’s themes, there is a certain novelty to seeing him and Spiral back in action, which helps buoy the character.
Overall, this was a hell of an enjoyable lark for fans of the X-Men arcade game, which goes beyond cheap nostalgia and uses its novel premise to advance the characters and some interesting ideas at the same time.
[7.5/10] So let’s start with the obvious. It’s really weird to have the first part of your duology on heartrending regret and recovery start as the abbreviated back half of an episode that's a whimsical lark. My guess is that it’s an homage to back-up stories in comic books? Who knows! Either way, it’s odd.
All of that said, I like it! I am a sucker for slow-spun stories of two people working through their issues together and becoming closer to one another in the process. I’m glad to see the show exploring Storm’s emotional struggle with losing her powers, rather than just having her disappear and then return fixed when it’s convenient. Seeing how this experience is as much about her acclimation to being a normie, healing of the mind and not just of the body, deepens the character. Frankly, it’s more than we ever got in terms of her overcoming claustrophobia in the original show.
Likewise, despite appearing in multiple episodes (and points along the timeline) of the original show, we never got to know much about Forge as a personality. So I like how this deepens him too, giving him regrets about his role in designing anti-mutant collars, explicating a little bit about his time in the war, doling out tidbits about how his powers work, and motivating him with a quest for redemption. He feels like more of a person here than he ever did in the 1990s, and I’ll take it.
There’s also a lovely, almost lyrical tone to the episode. Something about the quieter, more intimate pace of Forge helping Storm recover, with romance and attachment subtly bubbling under the surface, works well as a change of a pace for the normally explosive X-Men. This is an easy episode to vibe with, cozier and more inviting than the average outing for the show.
It’s also a tragic romance. That angle on it is well done, given how easy it is to see Ororo and Forge slipping into something amiable together, only for it to be shattered by Forge’s revelation. His speech about Storm being a goddess, regardless of her powers, is stirring as all hell, and her angry rejection is no less heartbreaking.
I’m less on board with the appearance of “The Adversary”, who already feels like a retread of Storm’s encounters with the Shadow King. But its design is cool and creepy, and as I’ve said before, I jive well with the dream logic, impressionistic presentation style, so there’s still hope on that front.
Overall, this seems like it would make more sense as its own thing, joined with its second part rather than stapled onto “Motendo”, especially when streaming services mean you don’t have to be as strict about runtimes. But it’s still a good outing on its own merits.
This episode felt like a major step down from the last 3
Oh snap, Jubilee learned rasengan!
Wait why did they split the episode?
All of the others are 30 minutes long.
Only good thing I can say about this episode is that the animation is growing on me.
We only get a sliver of Storm and Forge but damn is it good. Storms alienation from the weather is so heartbreaking to see play out. I'm most impressed that they managed to sell me on their romance in like 10 minutes. I'm so curious to see how it all plays out.
This episode makes Naruto and DBZ fillers look cool
“Dazzler had a gig, don’t ask…”
I’m not normally one for speculation but is this a little Easter egg for Taylor in Deadpool and Wolverine?
Probably my favorite episode of the season so far.
Finally a Jubilee episode. Even if it's a Mojo story.
This ep was smaller in scale that the last three but still soli. This was aareally compelling story about Jubilee facing the fact that adult life is messy and unfair and you don't get to go to the arcade on your birthday. And I think it handles that transion into young adulthood for Jubilee really well. i loved seeing older Jubilee and the mastery she has over her powers.
This show is a gift to us long time X-Men fans and I'm here for it.
First two episodes, I loved this show. These past two episodes? I want to drop it.
Jubilee and Sunspot are rushed, plus I hate how he feels like he was just thrown in to get with Jubilee, along with provoking expo dumps from the rest of the characters. Mojo episodes are boring and terrible and will always be boring and terrible.
The sudden declining quality of the show ruined my mood for the rest of this episode. I couldn't appreciate Storm's part as much as I should have. But Forge's confession was rushed as well. I guess there was a time skip or something.
Either way, two sucky episodes back to back really takes the wind out of my sails. I was so hype for this show after episode 2 and now I kinda hate it. I'm hoping it goes back to being good again.
Edit: It did. The rest of the show is good, this episode is just a low point.
ok that was kinda mid but it got better towards the end I guess. still, why would you split the plot like that what the hell
This episode takes me back to TMNT (2003) for some reason
Wow... this episode's ending left me, as we say in Brasil, "sem chão".
What a beautiful piece of art this series is becoming, my friends. I hope Marvel (and DC, and the world of animation in general) gives infinite more projects to the guys who are behind this show.
(And yes, we will Remember it!)
I like that the first episode that doesn’t push the story forward makes the entire fan bases angry about the fact that the two in one episode didn’t push the story forward and focused more on the characters relationship with each other. It’s not even a bad episode. Not the best sure but it’s still a good episode you all need to chill out. It’s a fun episode it’s not meant to push the story forward it’s meant to have the characters grow.
Mojo was always on the nose but I'm glad they brought him back and it was great to see Jubilee actually have a romance that works. I thought the old version of Jubilee sounded more like the old Jubilee. Turns out that because she was voiced by the original voice actress. Ha! Nice touch. The Storm romance feels more forced but that kind of stuff happened a ton in the original series so it didn't feel misplaced. Overall, I good episode with some humor and fleshing out the side stories.
Storm centric episode and, no surprise, the worst episode of the show. Just a bunch of empty romance. Forge had no interactions with Storm whatsoever so far and he is instantly calling her "a Goddess regardless of her power". What the heck?! Reeks of bad fanfiction. Perfect companion for try hard chewing the scenery storm voice actress.
Update: I just realized that if they continue to follow the comics then Storm will be turned into a child and she will most likely have a new voice. There is still hope for the character to be redeemed.
I'm not really all that keen on Mojo and this was certainly a step down from the first three episodes, but it had some nice moments, particularly everything between Jubilee and the older copy (voiced by the original series actress in a fitting touch), but I was sort of left wanting for more, whether that was more involvement from some of the other characters or just a more fleshed out story. I never felt like the characters were in any particular peril, even when Roberto is quite literally about to die.
Add to that the oddly placed and also far too short Storm plot and I'm left with an episode that had good ideas but didn't quite nail the execution. It's by no means bad but when the first few episodes are just so good, a lesser quality episode stands out even more than it otherwise might.
This one felt more like a filler episode.
I like games but c'mon man mojo is the filler tv master
.hope they cook up new plot points like wolverine, sabertooth cable there so many stuff the potential is there...
Review by Mellow GeekBlockedParentSpoilers2024-04-04T02:10:56Z
I give it a 7 die to the cool references. The videogame being in the shape of a Sega Genesis with the cartridge having the same artwork of the X-Men game was perfect, but it was spoiled by calling it "Motendo?. What? Should be Monesis. Writers are clueless to the amateur mistake they made. Looks like they are zoomer phonies trying to write 90s inspired story and not doing their homework.
The videogame inspired soundtrack was on point. Roberto's Portuguese lines were cheesy and cringe as hell. No Brazilian would say al those lines in succession like that. He sounded like an alien trying to pass as a human.
Less cringe character on this episode was Mojo, and that's saying a lot.
Also it wasn't clear what Spiral was up to. Is she back with Mojo, was she saboiting the game? Not a clue.
Also it was really predictable they were going to kiss at the end, since they made sure to let us know Jubilee was now 18. Heaven forbid a teenager kissing someone, tight Hollywood?
Anyways "Days of Future Past" artwork almost made all this go away and earned a grade of 7 for me. That was the best part of the episode. Without that my rate would go to somewhere near 4.