Why X-MEN 97 is the PEAK of the MCU's Multiverse Saga

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Written and Hosted by Ryan Arey ( / ryanarey )
Edited by Harriet Lengel-Enright, Randolf Nombrado, and Brianna McLarty
Featuring:
Colton Ogburn ( / coltonogburn )
Bevin / bevinbatspice
#Xmen #marvel #mcu

[@ScreenCrush]

Use code screencrush at incogni.com/ScreenCrush to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan.

[@rocko7711]

📺

[@rocko7711]

❤❤

[@rocko7711]

Please make videos about the changes in cinema, streaming business models, Disney not wanting to have Show-Runners, etc.

[@rocko7711]

Can you talk about why Disney fired the Show Runner

[@TimothyMorigeau]

I didn’t watch X-men 97 for nostalgia. I’m not a very nostalgic person. I watched it because it was the best iteration of the X-men and I wanted to see more of that.

[@MichaelWyattMDW]

There's your next t-shirt idea, "In this house, we do not skip the intro" (maybe with a SKIP INTRO button graphic and a crossthrough symbol)

[@Hoeech]

Or the SKIP INTRO button with an X over it

[@AuthorJakeAStrife]

I want this shirt

[@AuthorJakeAStrife]

And it should also say (and also we dont leave during the credits)

[@DivineEnclave22]

Genuinely feels like a sin to skip the intro when watching xmen 97😂

[@polyestermammoth740]

And some pronouns.

[@sarmadhabibkhan3036]

"Do not make me let you down" God I love that line

[@Jay-fw6jo]

The last X-Men show we had was wolverine in the X-Men and you could tell the Fox film series really had an influence on that series because Wolverine was a star of the show. This series proved why all the X-Men members are amazing.

[@nihil0771]

You mean animated? Because there were live action X-Men shows : Legion and The gifted

[@Jay-fw6jo]

@@nihil0771 yes animated because the gifted was awesome I never watched. Legion but gifted didn’t deserved to be canceled

[@BaithNa]

I'm pretty sure there was an X-Men anime that came out after Wolverine and the X-Men.

[@Lamq555]

THIS

[@Jay-fw6jo]

@@BaithNa OK yeah I did forget about the X-Men anime, but I haven’t seen that in a while. I only seen the old X-Men cartoon. , x-Men evolution, and Wolverine and the X-Men the first two I consider the best

[@johnp5250]

X-Men-97 Opens up so many doors like Colton said It opens Avengers vs X-Men and a different Civil War

[@MichaelTaylor-qp2xf]

X-Men '97 and Into/Across the Spider-Verse prove that superhero stories just work better in animation than in live action.

[@shivasive]

Rogue really lived up to her heartbreaker status making everybody ugly cry through this almost rogue-centric at times season.

[@krono5el]

Never really felt like logan was an xmen movie, it just seems like a stand alone thing.

[@timcloe]

Straight out of 97 Bev has a corded land line phone on her wall in the kitchen. Lmao

[@jrsindone]

18:33 Colton, let it go dude. It's obviously the crew is getting annoyed by your "I'm always right" attitude when you've obviously been wrong about a lot of your crossover theories.

[@milkiassamuel780]

As a long-time X-Men fan and fan of the original series, even though I wasn't born when the show was around, HOLY S*** , THIS SERIES IS EXCEPTIONAL (pun intended). No joke, this series is so masterfully well written, with absolutely phenomenal animation and truly compelling characters and complex, deep, dark themes that genuinely make you question the inherent societal bigotry and how to process internal thoughts of fighting for equality and how to do so in a way to help society grow from the status quo of discrimination and to do more than allow yourself to become numb to a neverending struggle that you feel like isn't your responsibility. Truthfully, this series is some of the *BEST MARVEL MEDIA WE'VE EVER SEEN SINCE ENDGAME* (except No Way Home, GOTG3 and Loki)! Compared to how phenomenal this series was, Fox X-Men movies (except Logan) seem like amateur student films with such a bare-bones understanding of how truly incredible and insane the X-Men stories can be when you truly hire people who care about these amazing characters.

[@bigd4998]

A-??? Hell no Def A+ and definitely love Phoenix (agree wish we got more of her)episode 10…wish we got more store love using her powers

[@nwebb]

Ryan has to hate on something. That’s his film douche persona haha

[@matthewa441]

You guys are absolutely right about the opening. Just hearing the theme song gets me pumped up and excited. I grew up in the 90s and watched the original on Saturday morning cartoons. That was my favorite of course, and I remember Eek the Cat and The Tick being on. The good old days lol.

[@MichaelWyattMDW]

Look out! It's Cobra's intelligence officer, The Baroness!!!

[@joshDammmit]

Seriously. How has homegirl escaped being cast in an actually good GI Joe movie?

[@MichaelWyattMDW]

@@joshDammmit Well, there hasn't been a good GIJoe movie yet. But she should definitely be a young Baroness in a Baroness: Origins movie!! (Maybe we could see a pre-mask Destro or early Fight Club Cobra Commander... an ACTUAL "Rise of Cobra" prequel!)

[@To-B-Continued]

I can't unsee it.

[@MichaelWyattMDW]

@@To-B-Continued She would be the perfect actress for Baroness!

[@xx3uddhaxx]

And Knowing is Half the Battle! G.I.JOEEE🇺🇸

[@nicholasgarrick8855]

I loved the original Xmen , and totally agree that Xmen 97 was even better even tighter writing , and gorgeous animation plus justice for cyclops.

[@swiftdog49er51]

This show was amazing. I cried not just because of the past coming to the future, but you could see in these podcasts that we all were collectively riding that roller coaster of a ride that in the end, maybe are more in love with this show we did not think was possible. It's good to be a nerd right now!🎉

[@Hendrix.Robinson]

Ryan I can’t wait until you have a show, we’re gonna tear it to pieces! You are so damn critical lmaooo

[@KingsNJenssons]

Wolverine was only badass once? I can name three times

[@user-xp3mn9we3m]

"Lady, I got six reasons why!"

[@johngallagher72]

The only thing he didnt do this season was talk to Hank about his taste in women.

[@nicholasgarrick8855]

I'm glad he got the sideline this season it good to give other X-Men spotlight.

[@wbennin]

Good callback ​@@johngallagher72

[@singletona082]

Personal opinion: The show runners actually give a damned about the source material and aren't treating the audiance like they're stupid.

[@pympton]

Ryan, you are crushing it. Thank you.

[@mrschwartzmc]

Screencrushing?

[@harryevans1111]

Instead of Wolverine, they made “The X-Men” the main character.

[@raxxie]

"what did you expect, black leather?" it was great

[@Able6669]

This show has The Most Important Intro of any show in existence

[@foxdavani4091]

When I was little, we had a 14 speaker surround sound system, with huge speakers, built into the walls and ceiling all throughout the house for 14 total. So when X-Men came on, I never skipped the intro because it sounded amazing with our walls and house just rumbling. Of course I don’t live there anymore but I still do put on my headphones and totally rock out to the X-Men intro.

[@igualn0mas]

remember that Jean Grey was the jinchuriki of Phoenix, it's not so far fetched that she can reach or receive some of its power

[@bashengatheblackmanta7003]

Yeah I remember that but unfortunatly for her madara took it from her,all thats left is a small chakra residu😂

[@ViceBeast]

Dope reference lmaoo

[@AlternateAlternative]

I appreciated it, very anime moment

[@davidchism6081]

One does not simply skip the intro of a show.

[@Bonkzilaa]

Can't hold my tears whenever I hear the words "and I am ironman" or "the name's gambit, Mon Ami, remember it" this is what movies/series should be about. Making us feel something.

[@davionnebrantley6609]

I didn’t read a single comic and I love this show…and you don’t need to read the comics to appreciate it

[@GodBroly]

Ok, Ryan I'm going to put it this way for you it wasn't deus ex phoenix. It was a teaser for phoenix to come back later on AND this is the more important part it was an answer without a spoken answer of who was the phoenix.

[@user-hv1vs4vg3v]

THIS. Madelyne was not the Phoenix which is why she couldn’t be saved - except in Jean’s psyche. Also it paves the road for Rachel to be Phoenix’s child.

[@GodBroly]

@user-hv1vs4vg3v EXACTLY because some writers have used the phoenix as a scapegoat he thinks all writers do that. Like come on a little critical thinking please. You spend the whole season talking about what the different characters showing up in the opening means and how they shouldn't tell us which Jean was the phoenix and spending countless other videos saying they should show us not tell us and then when it fucking happens he bitches!

[@askani21]

*Phoenix ex aqua :P

[@SpaceBagel79]

This is exactly what I needed right now. Thanks SC

[@tendeant]

Guys guys guys… how many times does it have to be confirmed that this universe is parallel to the MCU multiverse. It ain’t narratively connected.

[@TNEQL]

It's just clickbait. I've seen multiple video today the last few days do this without even mentioning Kang or the multiverse.

[@carloscardenas5947]

They've been kind of insisting that the big bosses are gonna change that eventually, or that it was always gonna be like that and Marvel's just not telling us, I don't know. I honestly hope that's not the case.

[@jonathanbronk7113]

Not sure why there's so much hate for Filler episodes....those are the character development episodes. They allow the story to take a breath, slow down, and explore a character.

[@robertriverathe3rd]

After rewatching a few times I'm noticing that DeMayo and his team took a lot of beats from Game of Thrones. From the slight tweaks to the intro, the shock and awe of "Remember It" being reminiscent of the Red Wedding and the Sept of Balor explosion and the ending of 97 gave me serious peak GOT season finale vibes with the epic music and multiple cliff hangers.

[@danielhenderson3753]

I loved the X-Men trilogy (yes, all three). Then I loved the prequel movies even more. Then I loved Deadpool. Then I loved X-Men '97. I just rewatched a couple of prequel movies and I loved them again. I just love it all, I guess. The more, the better.

[@Able6669]

The Mojo episode wasn’t filler…Jubilee meeting and learning skills from her older self helped her with fight technique against Bastion

[@TheHeadNinjainComics]

Exactly. I know it looks like filler on a first viewing, but it really pays off by the finale.

[@marcusyates3044]

Teen Titans, Earth's Mightiest Heroes, DC Super Hero Girls; I wish THEY were reanimated like '97!

[@milkiassamuel780]

Same. Avengers Earth's Mightiest Heroes especially had so much more potential, and other shows I love to see get the X-Men 97 treatment are Green Lantern: The Animated Series, Transformers: Animated, Spiderman: Animated Series (90s series), Spectacular Spiderman (however, that show has more legal issues with Sony), Batman: The Brave and The Bold, Fantastic Four: Worlds Greatest Heroes etc...

[@swiftdog49er51]

Agreed

[@DatBoiGloomy]

after watching 97, it just makes me want a legit avengers animated show even more

[@milkiassamuel780]

@@DatBoiGloomy Avengers Earth Mightiest Heroes truly gave us one of the most faithful and best takes on the Avengers, and I do wish the show got more seasons and, given the X-Men 97 level of passion, explored other concepts and storylines they set up. Could you imagine what that show's take on the Infinity Saga could've looked like and the show's own take on Thanos (even though MCU Thanos was a fantastic villain with far more nuanced and interesting motivation than just simping over Death)?

[@awesdrew348]

These are the long videos that I enjoy watching. Solid content.

[@WhatevrNevrmnd]

Magneto air dropping RFK stadium was so much yes....I grew up looking at that stadium every day.

[@pilotingrobotgaming]

X-MEN 97 is definitely going to be a game-changer for the MCU! Can't wait to see all the crossovers and storylines unfold.

[@dobe46]

0:54 I’m old enough to remember Ryan

[@theycallme_steampunk]

X-Men 97 used the best 90s pop leading into the Genosha tragedy. Ace of Base made peak nostalgia and their song "Happy Nation" was the best choice. Beau de Mayo made some pure gold and/or vibranium with the choices they made.

[@Amplifymagic]

Let’s be honest though, the “multiverse saga” so far has been mid in comparison.

[@best_of_eli]

Why are you saying that as if most ppl don't think that?

[@Amplifymagic]

@@best_of_eli because of the click bait titles.

[@ryuusaki7309]

It’s been mid for awhile dawg 😂

[@chimpo961]

That depends if it works. What Disney is giving us doesn't even work at all since it was not written correctly

[@BaithNa]

"Mid" is being kind. It's been a disaster and has hurt comic book movies as a whole.

[@mikaellehmuskoski4001]

This was a return to form great video

[@Mitsu2040]

As a Phoenix stan, I loved that moment. But I have to admit that there are some valid criticisms with that scene. While I thought it was great, I felt like it wasn't set up for that big moment. Like how in Motendo, Jubilee sees her older self using the plasmoid spinners, and uses them in the finale. The Phoenix isn't really mentioned in a way that foreshadows this moment happening. So, for those that aren't familiar or simply don't like the Jean/Phoenix connection, I understand why they thought it wasn't good. Those who know are well aware that there is always a spark of the Phoenix within Jean and Jean will always be a part of the Phoenix. So when Jean falls on the water and her vitals are going down, with her only thoughts being of saving her son, I understand how that passionate feeling ignites the spark that brings forth the Phoenix Force to save her friends and family. But yeah, it could have been set up better and explained rather than being a throw-away moment.

[@chespinpokemon909]

Not a comic reader but does the Phoenix as a Cosmic Entity care about Earth?

[@Mitsu2040]

@@chespinpokemon909 It cares about Jean, mostly. And her descendants. I don't know that it "cares" about Earth, but it sure is a place it frequents. Recently, it has been connected to others, such as Echo. And there have been some retcons having it existing in other stories. One was connected to the ancient people that eventually taught Iron First (see Fongji), as well as appearing within a redhead woman (Firehair) in the Avengers B.C. comics. Also, in other stories it carried a relationship with Odin and is suspected of birthing Thor. None of these recent stories make sense when you try to connect them, but there you go.

[@Soulman-lb3gg]

In X-Men '97, When Magneto says to Leach, "Haben keine angst" that doesn't translate to, "Don't be afraid" as the subtitles say. It means, "Don't be angry." I can't believe no one during production knew little enough German to catch that.

[@spacexrocks1041]

Jubilee "becoming a woman" on her 18th birthday was what the Mojo episode was really about. Check the fade-out ending. She's an adult now, which changes how the character can be written and how other characters treat her.

[@IsiahBradley]

THANKS for this, ScreenCrush Gang!!!!! Ryan, I enjoyed your interpretive history of the X-Men films! Yes, it's true that the pre-MCU era was the pre-MCU era (you're right but I'm rolling my eyes anyway) :)

[@Timetoshine233]

Marvel give us Jonathan Majors as Kang. The man acted his soul out and gave us the best performances in the MCU ever.

[@ajmj8586]

Frfr

[@brianhall4018]

You have to create new nostalgia… is a bar !!!

[@polyestermammoth740]

“My wife and I were watching ‘97 and THEY went to skip the intro”…. Really?

[@LuizCesarFariaLC]

One of the problems with Phase 4 is they were trying to make 3 sagas at the same time, so nothing felt like a connected saga at all

[@cadillacdeville5828]

It's just been such a great series since the beginning.

[@TevyaSmolka]

i love x-men 97 its amazing

[@tclement619]

Only 97 and Thrones has changing intros specifically for that one episode and last episode. Love it.

[@dunsparce4prez560]

Good thing Colton’s earphones cut out when you called him the guy stuck in your television who doesn’t know so please don’t tell him.

[@ryanandress1850]

First Class and Days of Future Past are both awesome.

[@WhatevrNevrmnd]

"The Phoenix is gone now". But we aren't done!!!!

[@MrFBolda]

"X-Men is best served as a TV series" - Colton 1000%!!!!!!

[@24phillycheese]

Don't forget - multiverse of madness showed that live-action/ animated universes live in the same multiverse

[@Jj-cf6yb]

I cried so much ... just from joy.. it was amazing

[@terrellinc22]

You have a Black Woman that controls weather, a Gay man that can freeze hell and jewish man that controls magnetism - that may scare the hell out of some individuals. A woman that has powers of a cosmos will not look pleasing to some alpha males that value the size of their tool as power. With the introduction of mutants - the “what people don't understand they fear - fear they destroy '' will come into play. If you look at the power set of MCU’s characters save for Doctor Strange, Thor and Hulk the power set is within the realm of acceptability. But The X-Men have some crazy powers that are Godlike in some cases. I think that will be the trigger - for in our society that is the trigger for some individuals. Is that perception of power and influence that a social group has on another. And even though that social group has shown perseverance, intelligence and empathy they are still marginalized.

[@kiltysalter2966]

I like this point. The X-Men and mutants are a relatively coherent social group, versus superheroes who are by and large, individuals. The same reason that people admire and respect professional athletes, but dislike people who are born into a different social class, or societal group. These class structures are baked into society and the struggle to overcome them is why the X-Men will always be relevant.

[@tclement619]

Xmen is definitely episode type. So many stories going on all at once that need to breathe

[@Xmj202]

Peak of entire mcu

[@Jshsprngr]

I was a tad bit surprised they weren’t going to try and split the phoenix force like they did in the comics for a bit between Cyclops, Namor, White Queen, Colossus ….forgetting the fifth!

[@elChepis]

X-men 97 kicked MCUs phase 4’s butt!

[@reggiestafford4549]

I agree with Ryan. What is going to be the decisive issue between heroes and mutants is the heroes are high-achieving and special individuals. A mutant could be that grocery bagger that you gave a hard time to bolster your own ego, and the bagger could immediately hold you to task in a painful way.

[@seanmarsh6158]

People won't hate mutants for their powers they will hate them because they are from another universe

[@cocopuffs1013]

I used to like when these videos where breakdowns of episodes with Ryan and Doug that’s it, not just discussions

[@HennyBuBuProductions]

Phase 4 was all grief, Phase 5 is definitely Families rising up to a challenge.

[@GLJosh]

I rewatched X-men TAS with my 10yo daughter (ok we started when she was 9yo), that way we could watch X-men 97 as a family. My daughter's main concern was when will we get Season 2 (also she quickly identified En Sabah Nur as Apocalypse). This show was well done, not just as an animated show but as a show in general.

[@tls5669]

2nd best theme ever. A-team #1

[@matthewwithanm]

Part of what makes 97 work imo is that it feels like an established world whose characters have history. I didn't like any of the early 2000s or first MCU movies because they didn't. Most comic readers dont jump in at issue #1 with the origin story. We come in to established worlds with messy character relationships and confusing lore and love it.

[@omegatails]

Man i love X Men i still think they are the best marvel hero and villians hope they keep making more we needed some more x men

[@myfathersson1720]

Whoa! Vintage electronics alert! Is that a landline phone in her background?!

[@alejandroalvarado4178]

I get why Ryan might be upset about the writers using Phoenix in the last episode. But the were hint that the phoenix was coming. They show in the opening credits just like Apocalypse was seen in the opening credits.

[@andrewkeller2842]

“He [Wolverine] is not Rick, he is Darryl”

[@ItsoKuri]

@20:30-21:20 Good point cause i was worried about that as well. This also just made me think, they sort of started paving the way for that to happen with what they did with Scarlett Witch in WondaVision without knowing. They could say that mutants don't know how to use their power and are dangerous and Wonda has been made many BIG mistakes she has been introduced

[@HennyBuBuProductions]

People crapped all over phase 2, including Ultron and now they hold it in high regard. Give it time, it’s building up.

[@prettycyber8332]

We were in the old Playboy Enterprise offices-Beverly Hills during the development of the first Iron Man movie. Not a car lot

[@brans7196]

I love interconnected MCU when its done well. As a kid I remember hating watching all these movies but knowing the heros wont cross over. So i love MCU for this and no other studio has been able to do it right.

[@Able6669]

My only complaint is that Representative Cooper didn’t come out as Mystique But SHE WILL

[@londonsuber3916]

@screencrush don’t forget we also got the DOJ locking up mutants or villainy characters like “abomination” they could use that as a part of the controversy or wedge between ppl like a cap/daredevil/doctor strange vs the likens of punisher/phoenix/venom

[@360.Tapestry]

kang killing ant man would've done a lot for raising the stakes for an otherwise pretty filler side quest

[@RileyN6.21]

@ 23:00 - ish: The difference between non-mutant superheroes and mutants in the MCU, for me, is like the difference between replicants and replicants that can bear offspring in the Blade Runner universe. Humans are more willing to accept non-mutant superheroes that weren't "born that way," like the Avengers, but also, in a world where the superheroes aren't "born that way," that's what the powers that be want - control over like the gamma radiation, the super-soldier serum, Tony's tech, T'Challa's Vibranium, - all the things that make the superheroes superheroes. Just like in Blade Runner, as long as the superheroes don't make superheroes, the humans can control them. But in the case of mutants, well....

[@huntsman1999]

Hey, the Loki and Moon Knight shows were really good.. come on Ryan

[@gustavoperez8740]

Instead of the Pheonix returning to Jean, I wish it was Storm that pulled something bada*s and saved the team from a bad situation.

[@bryanthardaway2935]

I think adding the X-Men will be the icing on the cake because now I'm wondering how long they been around and how do they connect to the other super heroes of the MCU I can't wait to see how they connect everything together I think they will be a greatly needed boost to the MCU can't wait til secret wars

[@Chorizo1]

Not an A-, a solid A! I agree with almost all things said in this video and well said, by everyone :) This series was phenomenal and I was hooked, simply the best media we've received from Marvel in a long while! The point that Colton made about The Avengers vs the X-Men was eye-opening, great perspective! The Disney nostalgia loop, the studios manipulating events, all very interesting topics, thanks for bringing all those into perspective! 👏🏻💯

[@steveb9713]

Xmen 97 had good writing that cared about the characters and source material. That’s been missing from most of phase 4 and 5. I’m pretty checked out of mcu but we’ll told xmen stories could bring me back

[@mannholloway]

Under certain situations the IRS will call you. But never ask you for credit card info or ask you to buy a gift card to pay them.

[@BigFunnyGiant]

Incogni is great. I use it too. I still get calls, but they're not nearly as often.

[@samuelballard3467]

The problem is not interconnectivity. Its the lack thereof

[@isaaclopez-eb6yg]

I think the idea of the replacement theory within the X-Men universe helps distinguish why regular humans are prejudice against the mutants. Resentment forms when you feel being left behind and that the world is no longer yours

[@christianporter3638]

This show was peak writing, peak character development, and everything I've wanted from Marvel

[@Minnie-CA]

Let’s be honest though, the “multiverse saga” so far has been mid in comparison

[@danr543]

Copy and pasting contents now? You must be a bot

[@EV37996]

Forget marvel, This has been the peak of modern Disney

[@josevalenzuela8785]

Thanks for speaking truth to power ✊

[@KbearMcYumYums]

2:24 Excuse me, no. Halle Berry had won her oscar by X2, and used the oscar to add more screentime for her character in that movie (which was badly needed). Cyclops left X3 for Superman Returns, b/c he thought X3 was going to be bad.

[@stevenjudd2383]

I want to see Fantastic Four reintroduced in an X-Men ‘97 format.

[@stevenjudd2383]

Or Eternals