X-MEN REVISITED - 'Enter Magneto'

'X-Men' (1992)

The first thing that is noticeable about the third episode of “X-Men”, titled ‘Enter Magneto’, is that the animation is far improved over the premiere. I’ve since learned that ‘Night of the Sentinels’ was a rushed production and that the animation company hired to produce the show had a strict deadline to meet which meant the animation couldn’t be up to par by the time the episodes premiered.

The animation here is smoother for the most part and the action is more consistent. As far as the story is concerned, if we were introduced to militant humans who hate mutants in the premiere, it was now time to introduce a militant mutant that thinks humans should be destroyed. That mutant’s name is Magneto.

The first thing that Magneto attempts to do is break Beast out of jail before Beast can go to trial for breaking into a mutant registration facility. Beast informs Magneto that he is part of Charles Xavier’s X-Men and that both he and Professor X believe that they can use Beast’s trial to show the world that mutants are not a threat.

Magneto believes this is a fool’s errand and plans to start his war with humanity. Before that can happen, though, Beast begins his trial only to be denied bail due to Magneto’s recent attempt to break Beast out despite Beast not going along with the escape plan.

Magneto attempts to bust Beast out of jail, but Beast has other ideas.

The trial is further interrupted, though, by the sudden introduction of Sabertooth, a militant mutant that Wolverine shares a violent past with. After Sabertooth is hurt, Cyclops brings Sabertooth back to their headquarters against Wolverine’s strong objections.

We also learn of Professor X’s history with Magneto. They were once friends helping out civilians from an unnamed war. However, the soldiers from the other side attempted one last time to reclaim their country and it was revealed that Magneto had a long-time resentment of humans and when he wouldn’t stop assaulting the soldiers, Charles stopped him before he went too far and Magneto disappeared.

Not long after this, Magneto assaults a military base with the intention of launching their nuclear weapons. Cyclops, Wolverine, and Storm successfully stop him and the warheads, but Magneto vows to get his vengeance on the X-Men and to start his war against humanity afterwards.

For a 20 minute episode, they sure did pack a lot of story into it and, for the most part, it works. Even Beast’s trial is somewhat interesting as it has a deeper message about accepting those that are different, though this is quickly interrupted by Sabertooth.

I will admit that Sabertooth’s introduction is a bit abrupt, but it does set up events for future episodes. The action is also pretty stellar between the prison break attempt and the climactic battle at the military base in the final act. In addition to this, the show continues to successfully build a world where mutants and near future technology believably exist.

‘Enter Magneto’ proves to be a superior story to ‘Night of the Sentinels’. It has smoother animation, more consistent action, and some good world building, particularly between Professor X & Magneto and between Wolverine & Sabertooth.

GRADE: A