A new take on an old classic
Aside from a few goofy moments, this cartoon is excellent. Like the first two seasons of The Real Ghostbusters, it knows when to be serious and when to be funny. She-Ra's first battle against the Horde is Epic, and her transformation, regardless of Sailor Moon call back, is awesome. She-Ra is a powerful warrior godddess. In later episodes Adora has her own character struggles in learning to control her new powers, but that is to be expected.To contradict online criticism, the art style is not bad, just different. She-Ra's proportions are not unfeminine. A large bust size is not a necessity. The artistic design is a call back to Cartoon Network's first Teen Titans cartoon. Which also greatly reduced Starfire's endowments least we forget. At first Glimmer's Astro Boy like hair grated on me. I like long hair. I came to accept it, however when I learned more about her. Her hair suits her as someone struggling with both her mission and own personal conflicts. The rest of the cast's redesign is hit and miss. Of the Villians I liked Catra's and Scorpia's the best. Making them less monster and more human. Hordak is a perfect conniving master mind and his slick streamlined appearance matches. Shadow Weaver as more of a dark elf then a wraith an okay take but I think the keeping the old red and black color scheme would have had more impact. The Horde Troopers move away their Star Wars Storm Trooper inspiration and become more of their own thing. The redesign of Grizzlor and other Male Horde members is not good. The look like pin-scratch.
The cast is younger then the 1980's. Depicted as teens and tweens. Not a bad idea I suppose. In the 200X Masters of the Universe, Adam and Teela were depicted as late teens.
Although it is different from past MOTU properties, it has distinct call backs to the larger Masters of the Universe mythology. Grayskull and Eternia are mentioned, as are the First Ones. He-Man must exist somewhere, but is not needed here. That's a good thing. She-Ra needs to be out of his shadow. He-Man would be a great reveal in later seasons.
(Minor but unintended spoilers possible for following paragraph.) The episode I thought I wouldn't like, but did was the "Princess Prom". A way too high school idea in a fantasy setting. Ironically, it called back to some of the better POP mini comics, and was a decent setup to the rest of the season. I thought Catra's choice of wearing a man's suit and the spotlighted dip she gave Adora during the dance gave a subtle hint of romantic feelings for Adora, but I could be way off base. Throughout the first season, Catra and Adora's relationship and rivalry is greatly expanded and far more three dimensional.
The opening theme is a typical pop-song, but not annoying. The instrumental score ranges from scene to scene with typical action scene incidental music using a blend of a full orchestra with synthesizer instruments to an operatic crescendo during the dramatic scenes. The best part is the eerie female voice solo during She-ra's emergence and the exploration of the First One's ruins, implying a lost power and mysticism of the ancient culture. Hinting that She-ra's true abilities are far from discovered.
As an old Masters of the Universe fan, I think this is a great way to introduce this mythology to a new generation, and I think She-Ra is a great role model of female strength and assertiveness for younger viewers.
score 9/10
sabreartista 20 November 2018
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw4470130/1064
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