DVD REVIEW:
Wolverine and The X-Men Heroes Return Trilogy
04/19/09
SYNOPSIS: In the late 20th century, mankind began to
change. Suddenly, teenagers developed incredible abilities
that science classified as the next stage in human
evolution. In response, Professor Charles Xavier created The
Institute for Gifted Youngsters so the young “mutants” could
learn to control their uncanny abilities and live in harmony
with the non-mutant members of society. From then on,
Xavier’s students – the X-Men – intervened to protect the
peace until a mysterious explosion devastated Xavier’s
school. Leaderless and without direction, the X-Men
disbanded and the man known as Wolverine struck out on his
own.
One year later, the once fiercely independent Wolverine must
reunite the X-Men to prevent a horrible vision of the future
where the X-Men have given up on Xavier’s mission and the
world has fallen into chaos. With great tragedy in their
past and their future, Wolverine must lead Xavier’s
disillusioned heroes against the forces of fate and destiny.
Only together can the X-Men steer the course of history away
from catastrophe and save us all.
REVIEW: The new
series Wolverine and the X-Men is the fourth animated series
of the X-Men characters. This time around the writer went
away from the original story., that might either worked or
annoyed the fans. The series looked like a mix version of
the 1992 X-Men: The animated Series and 2002 X-Men:
Evolutions. In this version the roles of two of the main
character are inverted, others are just discarded or demoted
to a supporting role. When I first heard from this series my
first thought was that it was just an opportunity to squeeze
the popularity and hype created for the upcoming movie:
X-men Origins: Wolverine. I was surprised with what I saw.
If in fact, the series features the adventures of the cool,
arrogant, cocky and selfish character, but this time he is
put in a position he has never been: As the leader.
What really surprised me about this series is that it did
not damage the original story known to the X-men fans, it
does not try to reinvent a story that is sacred to many
people. Instead it begins with an already establish setting,
and as it develops the audience get to know the characters
(if they are knew to the series) or refresh about them. Also
I liked the way they kept the main character’s personality
and how they accommodate it to the new version, but what
really caught my attention was Cyclops, unlike in previous
versions this time he is humanized, he is no longer the
goody goody hero, this time around, he is troubled and
confused which makes him more appealing. Technically, each
episode is splendidly animated, it is liked the stories from
the comic books with the animation quality of the evolution
series, if not better in some effects. music, story line,
script, voice acting everything is as good as the animated
series which I think is the best series in depicting the
characters. What bothers me about it was that it kept in
some characters the same “Teeny” appearances they had in
X-men: Evolution like Iceman, rogue, Nightcrawler and
Jeanne. Also what they do with Professor Xavier seems to be
predictable and overused, however for storytelling purposes
it works and is excellently managed.
This new X - men series is a new approach to the classic,
and although it has many differences with the comic book. It
still feels like X-men, the adventures, the action, the
powers, and the stories. Each episode is well narrated and
depicted just like the comic books, plus with an astonishing
animation that invites the viewer to keep watching. I hope
that this series last as much as the animated series, since
it has all the potential to become a classic.
VIDEO:
Widescreen 1.78:1
AUDIO:
English and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles - English Spanish
SPECIAL FEATURES: The DVD‘s special features is
nothing to be impressed, it has the ordinary features the
making of, character profiles and commercials. Nonetheless,
the profiles are very entertaining and informative for fans.
Character Profiles: Wolverine and
the X-Men: Learn about the eight main characters
from the series told by Professor Xavier which is the best
feature of the DVD since it is both entertaining and
educative.
“Making of Wolverine and the X-Men”
featurette: This is the classical make of feature,
where the director, producer and voice actors talked about
the series. (5:15)
Audio commentary with Supervising
Producer Craig Kyle and Head Writer Greg Johnson
Audio commentary with Lead Director
Boyd Kirkland and Director Steven Gordon
“Nicktoons Network Going InScene”
Wolverine and the X-Men it is like the making of
just impresions of the cast about their opinions of the
series (2:28)
Review
By Milo
milo@smartcine.com
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