|
Review and Media by Stu
Episode #32 - The Phoenix Saga Part Part Four, Starjammers
Music Composed By: Shuki Levy Animation Services By: AKOM Review: With the build up out of the way, we can finally get into the main bulk of the story. These episodes are basically their own their own 2 parter, unlike the 3 previous episodes which acted as a build up to these episodes.Now, I’m the kind of guy who likes his X-Men to be fighting for mutant rights, or a nice character episode, so episodes which have them fighting aliens in space have never appealed to me. I realise that comics and sci fi go hand in hand, but I don’t especially care for those damn TVs/movies set in space (with the possible exception of Star Wars) However, it wasn’t the space drama that made the episode so unappealing. No, here, it was the villain. D’Ken, much like the rest of the Sh’iar goons, is simply a terrible villain. His design, a mix of light green and pink, was nothing short of an atrocity. I couldn’t help but think that he looked like a girl. My fears were realised when he became almighty because of the crystal, as he turned his entire body pink. I couldn’t help but chuckle everything he came on screen after that. Whilst it’s true these episodes aren’t bad, it’s also a given that they’re not really all that good. Despite noble intentions, Phoenix’s TV translation simply wasn’t too interesting. I would’ve preferred the show’s creative team to go with an original take, rather than adapt the comic. In better news, these episodes are absolutely chock full of cameos. War Machine, Captain Britain, and best of all, The Amazing Spider-Man himself! I don’t think I’ll ever be able to explain the thrill I got when I first saw that webbed hand thwipping across the screen. By the time I watched these episodes, Spider-Man hadn’t aired yet, nor did I know such a cartoon was in production. This could very well be my first fan boy animation moment. Awesome. My favourite part of the episode is its epilogue, with everyone back on Earth, and Jean’s loss beginning to sink in. I especially loved Beast’s “Parting is all we know of Heaven, and all we need of Hell” speech. Whilst I did enjoy this saga, pacing problems, constant diversions and a lack of any great villains kept it from being one of the shows best. Screenshots: 
 
 
 
 
 
 Part Two 
 
 
 
 
 
|
