Quite frankly, I can't see how anybody can trash this adaptation its simply brilliant and easily surpasses the mid-nineties version. I hear a lot of talk about this version not matching up the comic book version. Well nor did the mid nineties version. E.g Like Cyclops meeting Dazzler for the first time during the Phoenix saga, The X-MEN's first encounter with both Nightcrawler & Collosus. Rogue, Gambit and Jubilee were not even around b4 these two. How about Mgneto knowing nothing of Pedro and Wandas until season 4?. The Pyslocke encounter? A lot more thought went in to Evolution. Parts are shared equally and Wolverine 4 once isn't hogging all the action. You actually see the characters grow up throughout the 4 seasons. Unlike that terrible mid-nineties version where characters like Jubilee were the same from 1-5, still acting like a baby. Gambit was underused, Beast was underused and Storm's voice was laughable especially when she spoke to the elements. Cyclops was okay. I'm baffled however that when he was encountered his brother Havok at X-Factor camp on 'Cold Comfort' he didn't recognise him. Jean was just a waste until her Phoenix debut.
Rogue in evolution is much better and more realistic. And since she is still a teenager and yet to encounter Ms Marvel and steal her powers and quirky personality, you get a much more vulnerable Rogue. Plus the goth look really worked because it made sense with her being at an impressionable age and secluded due to her powers. I love the fact that she was attracted to Scott and again that made sense too. Quite possibly the best character. I always find myself close to tears during her scenes. Like the episode where she had a chance to save Mystique but pushed her over the cliff. Those moments were magic.
Jean is good here too. Although I hated her character because she's so together. But then again Jean has always been like that. Interesting to watch her relationship with Scott manifest.
Cyclops was actually likable which is a CRIME! But it was great to see some resistance on his part to being so together. The clear outlines of a leader are beginning to form here. I actually felt quite sorry for him at times because there were parts of him that wanted to remain boisterous but professor forced him into structure.
Wolverine has less screen time which is a blessing. His voice in Evolution is much better and it was nice to see him playing the teacher role. The only downside was his encounters with Sabretooth. I think the writers could have spent more time on getting it right. The roar emotion between them was slightly missing. It's pure comedy though when they are forced to work together in later episodes.
Storm is slightly underused but drawn very well. Still the mother figure of the group. Her presence is always felt as the actress behind her voice does a great job. Her powers are drawn better here too matched with a nice looking costume.
There is a more troubled Beast here. Less comical and more serious. Still oozing a bit of fun but very repressed at the same time. It was smart of the writers to dedicate a whole episode to his transformation process.
Nightcrawler is absolutely hilarious. His accent is all over the place and sounds the most comical but that just marries into his characters quirkiness. So he's fun to watch. ]
Shadowcat is great and adds a lot of witty humour to the show. She's the baby of the group but super intelligent. Playing the typical all American teenager girl with all the ingredients of a 'Chick flick' I'd pick her over Jubilee any day, purely for the fact that she is more mature.
Spyke is a new one to me because I didn't even know he existed in the comics. But he fits in well with the rest of the team. He actually at times displays the most maturity but due to his irresponsibility with time keeping e.t.c it's always undetected. He was also the most sincere and the politest member of the group. Some of the more deeper story lines involve him and his scenes with Storm were always good. Soon after Spyke's departure, Iceman's role became bigger which was great. All the X-Kids are good here bar Wolfsabane and Jubilee.
Professor & Magneto are excellent. Their relationship was so well defined here.
Mystique was phenomenal. More than capable of taking care of herself. Her self-absorbed, vindictive, manipulate side was on form. PLus her combat skills were second to none. Taking on both Storm and Wolverine! A much better improved Mystique from the nineties cartoon version. Quite possibly the best villain of the whole series. Her relationships with Magneto, Professor, Storm, Nightcrawler & Rogue were so compelling. Not to mention her revenge plot on Cyclops, CLASSIC! Her Brotherhood team were great. All displaying individuality. But the standout character of the whole show was Toad. Toad has never been written & acted so well. This version of Toad was by far the best and the most outstanding. He was so entertaining. I think marvel would've been proud of Toad here as I believe he even outdid his own original character popularity from the comics.
Overall, An exceptional cartoon which was not given the attention it deserved. I recommend it to all not just fans but to everyone. There are real characters here with some interesting compelling stories. This version can be enjoyed by adults as well as kids because the creators took it a lot more seriously unlike that terrible over hyped mid-nineties version
Rogue in evolution is much better and more realistic. And since she is still a teenager and yet to encounter Ms Marvel and steal her powers and quirky personality, you get a much more vulnerable Rogue. Plus the goth look really worked because it made sense with her being at an impressionable age and secluded due to her powers. I love the fact that she was attracted to Scott and again that made sense too. Quite possibly the best character. I always find myself close to tears during her scenes. Like the episode where she had a chance to save Mystique but pushed her over the cliff. Those moments were magic.
Jean is good here too. Although I hated her character because she's so together. But then again Jean has always been like that. Interesting to watch her relationship with Scott manifest.
Cyclops was actually likable which is a CRIME! But it was great to see some resistance on his part to being so together. The clear outlines of a leader are beginning to form here. I actually felt quite sorry for him at times because there were parts of him that wanted to remain boisterous but professor forced him into structure.
Wolverine has less screen time which is a blessing. His voice in Evolution is much better and it was nice to see him playing the teacher role. The only downside was his encounters with Sabretooth. I think the writers could have spent more time on getting it right. The roar emotion between them was slightly missing. It's pure comedy though when they are forced to work together in later episodes.
Storm is slightly underused but drawn very well. Still the mother figure of the group. Her presence is always felt as the actress behind her voice does a great job. Her powers are drawn better here too matched with a nice looking costume.
There is a more troubled Beast here. Less comical and more serious. Still oozing a bit of fun but very repressed at the same time. It was smart of the writers to dedicate a whole episode to his transformation process.
Nightcrawler is absolutely hilarious. His accent is all over the place and sounds the most comical but that just marries into his characters quirkiness. So he's fun to watch. ]
Shadowcat is great and adds a lot of witty humour to the show. She's the baby of the group but super intelligent. Playing the typical all American teenager girl with all the ingredients of a 'Chick flick' I'd pick her over Jubilee any day, purely for the fact that she is more mature.
Spyke is a new one to me because I didn't even know he existed in the comics. But he fits in well with the rest of the team. He actually at times displays the most maturity but due to his irresponsibility with time keeping e.t.c it's always undetected. He was also the most sincere and the politest member of the group. Some of the more deeper story lines involve him and his scenes with Storm were always good. Soon after Spyke's departure, Iceman's role became bigger which was great. All the X-Kids are good here bar Wolfsabane and Jubilee.
Professor & Magneto are excellent. Their relationship was so well defined here.
Mystique was phenomenal. More than capable of taking care of herself. Her self-absorbed, vindictive, manipulate side was on form. PLus her combat skills were second to none. Taking on both Storm and Wolverine! A much better improved Mystique from the nineties cartoon version. Quite possibly the best villain of the whole series. Her relationships with Magneto, Professor, Storm, Nightcrawler & Rogue were so compelling. Not to mention her revenge plot on Cyclops, CLASSIC! Her Brotherhood team were great. All displaying individuality. But the standout character of the whole show was Toad. Toad has never been written & acted so well. This version of Toad was by far the best and the most outstanding. He was so entertaining. I think marvel would've been proud of Toad here as I believe he even outdid his own original character popularity from the comics.
Overall, An exceptional cartoon which was not given the attention it deserved. I recommend it to all not just fans but to everyone. There are real characters here with some interesting compelling stories. This version can be enjoyed by adults as well as kids because the creators took it a lot more seriously unlike that terrible over hyped mid-nineties version