The X-Men: Evolution series asks its young viewers to imagine the high school trials and tribulations of Jean Grey, Cyclops, Avalanche, Toad, Rogue and a variety of other Marvel mutants. Between sports, parties, dances, and the first blush of love are the not-so-normal challenges that come from being telekinetic, able to shoot laser beams from your eyes, being earthquake-prone, or capable of sucking the energy from any living thing. The problem with the four episodes compiled here is that they've reduced the complicated and frequently disturbing mythology of the popular comic book superheroes down to levels of coming-of-age simplicity too puerile even for Archie and Jughead. One hardly needs the X-Men to illustrate the dangers of un-chaperoned parties or the evil inherent in every vice principal. Only the episode “Power Surge” makes interesting parallels between adolescence and super powers run amuck. Although well-animated, the episodes are also marked by woeful voice work, which renders characters undistinguishable. Ultimately, true comic fans will be saddened to see Wolverine turned into a gruff, but ineffectual babysitter. DVD extras include episode introductions by producer Boyd Kirkland as well as background info. Optional. [Note: also newly available on VHS and DVD, at the same prices, are: Justice League: Justice on Trial, Challenge of the Super Friends: Attack of the Legion of Doom and Batman, the Animated Series: Tales of the Dark Knight.] Aud: P. (D. Fienberg)
X-Men: Evolution--Mutants Rising
(2000) 84 min. VHS: $14.95, DVD: $19.98. Warner Home Video (avail. from most distributors). Color cover. ISBN: 0-7907-7452-6 (dvd). May 5, 2003
X-Men: Evolution--Mutants Rising
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