WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN: HEROES RETURN TRILOGY
(not rated)
MOVIE: ***1/2 (out of 5)
DVD EXPERIENCE: ***1/2 (out of 5)
STARRING
Steve Blum as WOLVERINE
Nolan North as CYCLOPS
Fred Tatasciore as BEAST
Kari Wahlgren as EMMA FROST
Jim Ward as PROFESSOR X
Tom Kane as MAGNETO
Liam O’Brien as NIGHTCRAWLER
Studio: Lionsgate
BY KEVIN CARR
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
After the heyday of the X-Men, Professor Charles Xavier’s Institute for Gifted Youngsters is attacked, putting the Professor in a coma and leaving the X-Men scattered. The renegade hero Wolverine struck out on his own, but he soon must reunite the X-Men to prevent a terrible future. This DVD comprises the inaugural three episodes from the Nicktoons series “Wolverine and the X-Men.”
WHAT I LIKED
I grew up reading the DC comic book line, so I have a longer, richer history with characters like Superman, Batman and Green Lantern than I do with anything from the Marvel universe. However, with so many awesome Marvel superhero movies coming into theaters, I have really brushed up on my Marvel knowledge. Over the past decade, I have become a huge fan of Wolverine, so it’s great to see him in another cartoon series.
This new version of the X-Men on television take the characters to some new places… at least new for my limited knowledge. (Being a comic book fan myself, I know that there has been plenty of history laid down in the books that I just am not privy to.)
This new cartoon has the sharp look you’d expect from the modern superhero piece. It continues the rich tradition that Lionsgate and Marvel Studios has laid out for their animated superhero line. We get to see Wolverine reluctantly take on the role as leader while Cyclops struggles with being a loner.
I like to see the superheroes when they’re out of their element… when they aren’t doing what they are most comfortable doing. While the die-hard fan will have some issues with Wolverine being a reluctant leader, it suits him well for the storytelling purpose.
The bottom line is that these three episodes did pique my curiosity for the new series… and the “Wolverine” feature film coming soon.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
There are so many new superhero animated flicks – mostly pioneered by the DC line lately – that offer a little more grown-up version of the heroes. I know that this series is run on Nicktoons, and therefore it has to cater to a younger audience. However, I would have liked to see a little more edge, as the show seemed to pull some punches.
DVD FEATURES
The DVD comes with a look behind the new series entitled “Nicktoons Network Going InScene.” There’s also a slate of character profiles, narrated by Professor X, which was used as promo material on Nicktoons. There’s also a making-of featurette, as well as two audio commentaries, one featuring writers Craig Kyle and Greg Johnson and the other featuring directors Boyd Kirkland and Steven Gordon.
WHO’S GOING TO LIKE THIS MOVIE
Anyone who likes the new breed of superhero cartoons on television.