Review: ‘Wolverine and the X-Men: Final Crisis’
[[[Wolverine]]] and [[[the X-Men]]], the fourth animated interpretation of the Marvel mutants, was the most radical and also the most short-lived. Lasting a mere 26 episodes, the Nicktoons series apparently wasn’t popular enough with ratings and merchandise to merit financing a second season. Marvel Animation clearly thought they had a hit on their hands and images from the developing second season were released. Additionally, the final scene was a teaser for the second season. But, alas, this was not to be.
Lionsgate, today, is releasing the sixth and final volume of the show, probably three volumes too many, but at least they are affordably priced (and at Comic-Con International, a complete series set was announced). The single-disc contains just the final three episodes, which aired under the name “Foresight” but is being released under the more commercial [[[Final Crisis]]]. Having previously reviewed the last two volumes, Fate of the Future and Revelation, I was curious to see how they wrapped things up.
All the threads and main players throughout the season turn up and have their moment as the conflicting timelines and threads are woven together into a massive climax. We have Magneto and the inhabitants of Genosha readying for an all-out assault while he has manipulated players so he thinks he controls both sides of the conflict between man and mutant. What he has not counted on was the Hellfire Club and their plans to unleash and control the Phoenix force.
In fact, the role of the Phoenix in this interpretation is the most
radical departure from the comics as is the Hellfire Club’s reason for
existing. As a result, one of the more visually impressive moments of
this series occurs. And as with the comic books, the action never
overwhelms all the emotions at play, especially the romantic triangle
between Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Emma Frost.
Warner just sent out word that their successful program to allow fans to upgrade their existing DVD films to Blu-ray editions has now been expanded to include television series. If you’re like me, this is welcome news. Here’s the official release:
The process to upgrade is simple. Consumers select the titles they want to upgrade on DVD2BBLU.com, mail in their standard DVDs with pre-paid postage and a short time later receive copies of the same title and complete season on Blu-ray. See below for a complete list of TV titles available for upgrade with DVD2Blu.com:
One of the great joys of reviewing movies for ComicMix is being offered little gems I’ve never heard of, the movies that come and go too quickly to gain much attention. For example, take [[[$5 a Day]]], which sports a solid cast led by Christopher Walken – right there, you want to see this, right? Walken rarely repeats himself and is always fun to watch on screen. He’s backed by Alessandro Nivola, Peter Coyote, Amanda Peet, and Sharon Stone so it’s a good crew.
So, this afternoon, we decided to check in at DC’s blog, 
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A long time, in a galaxy far far away… Or perhaps on Cartoon Network on the weekends or coming soon to your gaming PC… Star Wars hit the 2010 San Diego Comic Con in full force (get it?!). Those fans who dig on the cloney goodness of the computer animated series got some sneaky peaks of the new season and how the series is evolving the mythos at the Clone Wars panel. More than likely, those SAME fans who also enjoy a good nightly WoW raid party were privy to a sneaky peak as well at BioWare’s upcoming Star Wars themed MMO, ‘The Old Republic”. While the former takes place between some of the films in the series, the later actually predates EVERYTHING we’re familiar with (including BioWare’s genre-influencing RPG “Knights of the Old Republic” from a few years ago). In case you’re amongst the fans who enjoy the “prequel” universe, but didn’t get a chance to enjoy the panels… we’ve got you covered. We’re like Yoda in your backpack, whisperin’ to you the secrets of the Force. Oh what’s that? Not familiar with Yoda when he was a just a tangible puppet, only when he was shiny and could do flippy flips? Look it up, kiddo. Look it up. But enjoy these videos first!
Warner Bros.’ Michigan J. Frog, the singing and dancing, top hat-wearing, cane-wielding amphibian, is a character that has been around since the 1950s. He made his debut in a 7 minute animated short titled One Froggy Evening, which is now one of the most renowned animated shorts in history. I remember watching this cartoon as a kid, and at that time I saw it as nothing more than an entertaining romp with a frog. It’s funny how you eventually learn to appreciate certain things you grow up with. In the case of One Froggy Evening, I still think it’s an entertaining romp with a frog, but now I know it’s “culturally significant”. At least, that’s what the Library of Congress said. If anything, the song “Hello My Baby” will be stuck in my head for a while.
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