One reason x men 97 feels like its for grown ups is it actually exploring discrimination and intolerance in such detail.
Most xmen media, its mostly just set dressing -humans dont like mutants as an excuse for big powered fights. Sometimes you'll get deeper allegories in the writing, but they're moments over narratives.
This show is being driven by the complexities of prejudice vs activism. We've got respectability politics, radicalisation metaphors, media perceptions.
Goddamn that monologue about deja vu when world tragedies hit home given how often people will chant "never again" about the Holocaust whole several genocides are currently happening in the world
Everything I love about Nightcrawler’s fight sequence in episode 8 of xmen 97 in obsessive detail:
Firstly, the theatrical string orchestra accompaniment throughout the battle is perfect for Nightcrawler.
When Kurt teleports onto the scene, his tail swishes almost lazily until his swords form an X.
When Logan says ‘lady I got six reasons why”
Kurt responds with word play ‘no mein freund, nine” or “nein” which is German for no.
Nightcrawler’s effortless grace of movement throughout. The way balances on the bed frame like an acrobat/dancer/fencer.
Speaking of fencing, at one point during the battle Nightcrawler has one arm behind his back like a fencer, in order to eliminate the arm as a target.
Nightcrawler’s acrobatic fighting style. Flipping and spinning in the air, it’s a treat to see animated.
Nightcrawler’s lightning fast agility. Like when Kurt’s distracted by Logan getting smashed into a wall but instinctively dodges the enemy lunging at him.
Kurt’s protectiveness for his sister
When Nightcrawler teleports he looks in the direction he’s teleporting because he has to see where he is going, great attention to detail!
Thank-you x-men 97 for letting Kurt be incredible!
Yoooo that nightcrawler scene with the swords 🔥🔥 oh my lord forgive me. He's so fine, and that tail ooooo, the accent so beautiful man. Don't get me started on magneto holy shit 😳
the state of western animation rn makes me wanna cry because we could be getting a dozen shows of the same caliber of quality as xmen 97 and invincible if the companies in charge of them weren't fellating the concept of infinite growth
x men 97 is the most radical thing that marvel films/tv has put out in a long time, and i hope everyone watches it. i know "radical" for the MCU is a low bar, especially these days, and i definitely have critiques, but overall this show is just stunningly leftist in its politics. you can feel the influence of a POC and queer team in every episode. the focus on found family. collective and intergenerational trauma. forgiveness, and what it means when theres a lack thereof. the understanding that you are in danger, feared and hated and untrusted, by virtue of who you are. the community that can form in the face of collective struggle. they are your family. will you take their hands and build a better future together? can you trust them enough to believe that it's possible, and what will you give up to protect them if it's not?