If you haven't watched the first two volumes of the seminal animated series known as X-Men, chances are you wouldn't be too interested in the third one, but that shouldn't deter you from at least considering investing some time in this worthwhile show. Whereas the first couple of volumes acted more as introductions to familiarize us with the characters and their pasts, these later episodes are more concerned with plot progression and character expansion, making them more action-driven than the previous collections. They're also more suspenseful due to the basic understanding we now have of the characters, making it easier to empathize with them. You know, as much as you can empathize with someone who shoots lasers out of their eyes.
With X-Men: Volume 3, the series gets deeper into one of the more popular characters with The Dark Phoenix, a four part episode for which Rise of the Phoenix was a set up. I mentioned before that I much prefer Jean Grey when she's inhabited by the alien force known as the Phoenix, and I stand by that statement; the aforementioned episodes are perhaps the most entertaining in the volume. Unfortunately, promptly after the matter is settled, Jean Grey reverts back to her weepy, whiny usual self, soaking up everybody else's (much more) valuable screen time. But that's another matter. These multipart episodes are the highlights of the show; it's much more effective and ultimately more satisfying to focus on a single plot point for a longer period, as it allows us more time to become invested further in the show's happenings. Still, there are parts where the show gets a bit repetitive, looping the same scenario with alternating characters ad nauseum, and that issue definitely arises with the longer episode arcs. But the show's charms ultimately outweigh its shortcomings, and its relatively minor pratfalls can easily be ignored in the grand scheme of things.
There are also plenty of quirky minor and side characters, each one possessing a power more creative than the next, though some are admittedly better than others. (Dazzler? What is that all about?) Incidentally, this set includes the episode that introduces Nightcrawler to the show, and it was about damn time; he's a downright fantastic character. He is somewhat similar to Beast in that his outward appearance betrays his calm, intellectual nature, but he's much more the tortured, misunderstood outcast, and though the show is full of 'em, he really stands out. Sadly the episode that features him had to go and muck it all up by laying on the Christian overtones a bit too thick and blatant for my liking.
I'm still not a huge fan of the Storm-centered episodes, though I suspect this may in part be due to the fact that it really irks me how she always has to call out her power in order to do anything. I'm actually not even really sure if that's the case, but the alternative is even worse; she's just doing it for the theatrics. And she's generally just a boring character.
When I reviewed the first two DVD volumes of the X-Men animated series, I mentioned that the animation looked a lot less streamlined from the way I remembered it from watching it as a kid. Luckily, these later episodes are presented in a noticeably sleeker and streamlined manner. The voice-acting is largely spot on, though sometimes it does get a bit over the top, but hey. We are talking about a cartoon series based on a comic book here; it'd be nothing if it weren't dramatic. It should also be noted that the episodes do not follow the chronology of the show as it originally aired, but they are contained and full enough to stand on their own and still be perfectly coherent.
One more thing: does anyone else think Jack Nicholson would make a good Wolverine? Anyone? No? Okay.
DVD Bonus Features
French and Spanish language tracks and subtitles.
"X-Men: Volume 3" is on sale September 15, 2009 and is rated PG. Animation, Comic Book, Sci-Fi, Television. Directed by Larry Houston. Written by Francis Moss, Ted Pedersen, Len Wein, Julianne Klemm, Michael Edens, Elliot S. Maggin, Robert N. Skir, Marty Isenberg, Stephanie Mathison, Brooks Wachtel, Mark Edward Edens. Starring Alison Seasly Smith, Alyson Court, Cathal J Dodd, Cedric Smith, Lenore Zann, Norm Spencer.
