Masters of the Universe: Revelation

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Jul 23, 2021
Season #: 2, 1
User Score
2.1

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 612 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 88 out of 612
  2. Mixed: 26 out of 612
  3. Negative: 498 out of 612

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User Reviews

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  1. Grianne
    Jul 24, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. He-Man isn't the main character but the animation is great... the story is new and dark, and the voice acting is solid. Mark Hamill is obviously amazing, Lena Headey is great, and seriously some of the extra cast is just amazing.… Expand
  2. Chrissy75
    Jul 24, 2021
    7
    Amazingly animated and beautifully scored. I really appreciate the fact that Kevin had the courage of not concentrating the whole show on He-man alone.That decision in my opinion really gives the whole show a much needed space to breath and expand on the world and myths. As long as you understand that this is masters of the universe and not the He-man show, you will without a doubt enjoyAmazingly animated and beautifully scored. I really appreciate the fact that Kevin had the courage of not concentrating the whole show on He-man alone.That decision in my opinion really gives the whole show a much needed space to breath and expand on the world and myths. As long as you understand that this is masters of the universe and not the He-man show, you will without a doubt enjoy that show. … Expand
  3. jvanhine
    Jul 24, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. i watch all 130 ep of He-man back in the day and it was good, i love He-man, I dont know why ppl are so upset over Masters of the Universe: Revelation: Season 1 Part 1, I think Kevin Smith and his team did a awesome job on this and i cant wait till Part 2… Expand
  4. lambor
    Jul 25, 2021
    8
    Not as much He-man as I would have liked and if the aim was to sell He-man toys, then the first half fails miserably BUT I have been overjoyed at how Man-at-arms and Teela have been used and would be all over toys of them. Hopefully things can pick up in the second half of the series and we get a few more boulder tosses and screen punches to go with the improved animation and storytelling.
  5. LuisBrassiolo
    Jul 25, 2021
    9
    I really liked the first 5 episodes! The story is moving forward instead of repeating the old show, giving the chance to expand the story of several MOTU characters, not only He-Man. Nice cliffhanger too, looking forward to part 2.
    Animation is really good and fluid, lots of details in the new designs.
    And the voice acting is AMAZING! Hamill as Skeletor is great, but for me Leena Headey    I really liked the first 5 episodes! The story is moving forward instead of repeating the old show, giving the chance to expand the story of several MOTU characters, not only He-Man. Nice cliffhanger too, looking forward to part 2.
    Animation is really good and fluid, lots of details in the new designs.
    And the voice acting is AMAZING! Hamill as Skeletor is great, but for me Leena Headey as Evil-Lyn steals the show.
    Thanks Kevin Smith and the MOTU:R team for making a show that exceeded my expectations and is respectful with the franchise.    … Expand
  6. Kipcreate
    Jul 25, 2021
    7
    Bait and Switch? Yeah, the trailers show He-Man in a much larger role than he really is.
    Story bad? Not one bit.
    MOTU: Revelation is very interesting twist on the MOTU storyline. He-Man is not present for the majority of the story past the first episode. But, the plot gives a very good reason for doing so, and honestly, it's done well, and makes for a fairly high stakes story that    Bait and Switch? Yeah, the trailers show He-Man in a much larger role than he really is.
    Story bad? Not one bit.

    MOTU: Revelation is very interesting twist on the MOTU storyline. He-Man is not present for the majority of the story past the first episode. But, the plot gives a very good reason for doing so, and honestly, it's done well, and makes for a fairly high stakes story that drives an ensemble of He-Man fan favorites, heroes and villains alike together in a pretty interesting storyline that I thoroughly enjoyed.

    Let's address the elephant in the room, though. The trailers, the did lie. Kevin Smith did lie. And honestly, that's a shame. Had they been upfront about this MOTU series not headlining He-Man as the main hook, I think many of the (re)viewers would've given it a much fairer shot than it's getting right now. As a MOTU fan, I am perfectly down for an ensemble cast of side characters getting some spotlight while He-Man takes a backseat if it's done well. And this story does so VERY well, and in a way I feel is very respectful to the character. But, when you mess with the expectations of fans in order to trick them into a hype train, don't be surprised when that train runs you over.

    But, all that aside, I'm looking at this series for itself. Animation? Come on, it's the studio that did Castlevania. It's gorgeous. Music? Feels pretty much out of the original series. Could've used more energy and synthy stuff, but it's fine. Dialogue and characters? It's got plenty of the old series camp and hokeyness, but does so a bit more seriously and nothing seems completely out of character or out of nowhere.

    The story itself does focus on Teela. I wish they'd advertised that than baiting a He-Man focus, but putting that aside, it does make more sense than some people think. Being the daughter of The Sorceress and adopted child of Man-At-Arms, she's got the background to hold her own and plenty of room to take spotlight and be a champion of her own. I just wish they'd led with that fact in advertising.

    There's a few bits of SJW-ish stuff. Grayskull has been redesigned as a black man, despite previous showings of him being very visually a direct inspiration and ancestor to He-Man. It's tokenization and has no relevance to the plot, but it's there and it's obvious why. Annoying blackwashing for brownie points on Twitter. I just roll my eyes and keep going since it has zero relevance to the plot so it doesn't matter in context to anything. They could've made Grayskull a chicken in a gimp suit and it'd have been just as important to the story, and just as meaningless and arbitrary a change.

    I don't see any real feminist or LGBT agenda pushing in it like some people say. And to clarify, I'm a fairly conservative dude, so I'm supposed to see some conspiracies in this sorta thing, right? But, to the point, there's nothing to talk about in that section. It's a magical fantasy land where everyone's a Viking or a wizard, it's not shocking when Teela or Evil-Lyn can hold their own. Besides, they never do any lore-breaking feats like out-punching He-Man or some crap. They're just competent. And as far as design changes... I mean, it's not the OG designs, and that's mildly disappointing, but I'd also expect some changes here and there. Sure, Teela isn't as feminized as she used to be, but it's not horrendously ugly or anything. It's just functional armor. Doesn't bother me, but I can see why some of the OG design fans are a little upset, though I think they might be overreacting a tad. As for Teela and Andra, if that's supposed to be LGBT, I think the LGBT crowd is gonna be pissed at it. They seem more like friends and adventuring partners than lovers, and there's no actual affection shown between them, so... yeah, I'm not seeing it. So, either, it's the most naturally written romantic partnership ever written, in which case I'm fine because they're not obnoxiously shoving it down my throat, or, there's nothing there, and again, I have no complaint.

    All in all. Is it perfect? No.
    Is the 80s reboot everyone was hoping for? No.
    Did Kevin Smith bait and switch people into a hype train frenzy he couldn't possibly hope to live up to? Absolutely.
    Is MOTU: Revelation worth a watch? Yes

    If you like MOTU, you'll probably enjoy this. It's not all He-Man, but you'll get plenty of the rest of the cast, and I personally loved seeing Man-At-Arms kick some ass, among other things. Give it a try with an open mind and I think you'll walk away happier than if you let your expectations run high.    … Expand
  7. marmotmx
    Jul 23, 2021
    8
    Refreshing and entertaining in comparison with the 80's animation. The story is much more interesting this time and the characters are more fleshed out and I'm taking in account the 90's and 2002's remakes.

    The first part ends in a huge cliffhanger and I can not wait to see a a bigger and final showdown against a powered up Skeletor.
  8. ComandanteCobra
    Jul 23, 2021
    8
    Good, not perfect, but good (5 episodes so far).
    This series is a continuation of an old children's cartoon of the 80's, that mix Heroic Fantasy and Sci-fi in a classic clash between good and evil. The old series (merchandise and toys above all ) have had a cultural impact and became a pop icon still loved and remembered with affection today (so it is a sensitive subject for some)    Good, not perfect, but good (5 episodes so far).
    This series is a continuation of an old children's cartoon of the 80's, that mix Heroic Fantasy and Sci-fi in a classic clash between good and evil. The old series (merchandise and toys above all ) have had a cultural impact and became a pop icon still loved and remembered with affection today (so it is a sensitive subject for some)
    Positive stuff:
    -It's a show created for, and enjoyable by old fans of Masters of the universe (like me, i'm a vintage toy collector and all)...it's not a remake for new generations ...and this alone is a MIRACLE. There are too many remake of classic stuff around and we don't need another tv show that use and old name but tells a totally different story. It's waaay better than Netflix She-ra reboot or Transformers remake , or something boring like Robocop 2014 movie. This also means that if you aren't familiar with MOTU franchise you can't understand lots of references and will not enjoy it

    -I had hype about this series ...and often when you have much expectation about something you'll be easily, disappointed... but not here. This deliver most of the things that i liked...familiar charactres, actions, a little drama. I prefer to judge a serie for what it is not for what Il expected in my speculations. I watched 5 episodes in one day and now I want more. There are some things that are off balance, yes but good stuff here are much more numerous than bad ones

    -Easter eggs are used in a clever way, make some sort of sense in the show because are a part of the story . Veichles from the toy line are used during figths for example and not just put in the background to make fans scream

    -Cartoon targeted for adults...people adventures will have impacts on the story and character emotions. But characters development isn't deep (at least in this first 5 episodes)

    Cons:
    -Animation could be better, and visuals in general could be a little more easy on the eyes. But it's not a big deal and we need to consider 2 years of pandemic crisis

    -Some part of the story could be easilly spotted before hands.

    -There are some mandatory PC subtexts that can alter a few minor things in some characters. But it really just minor things, nothing irritating or to be "upset" about. It isn't something to complain about: It's modern time, get over it.

    -Soundtrack seems less epic than old cartoon scores

    To sum up....i've watched MOTU when i was a child in the 80's and now that i'm old enough to have a family of my own...I watched He man punching Skeletor with almost the same joy of 40 years ago . I didn't expect that I can still feel something with a simple cartoon on tv.
    Thanks for this Kevin    … Expand
  9. ramielwelednitz
    Jul 28, 2021
    7
    Mostly fun even is somewhat clunky at times, interested to see where the story is going
  10. blackcowboy
    Jul 24, 2021
    10
    Kevin Smith does it again with help from some great animators, voice actors and the rest of the great people behind the scene - A most see for every He-man universe fan
  11. Samiens
    Jul 23, 2021
    9
    Excellent reimagining of the classic franchise; blending a somewhat more mature tale with respect for the characters and the mythos with excellent animation, generally brilliant voice acting and excellent music.

    The show provides satisfying character arcs to a wide variety of beloved characters. There will be those who struggle with the fact that this isn’t a show whose primary focus is    Excellent reimagining of the classic franchise; blending a somewhat more mature tale with respect for the characters and the mythos with excellent animation, generally brilliant voice acting and excellent music.

    The show provides satisfying character arcs to a wide variety of beloved characters. There will be those who struggle with the fact that this isn’t a show whose primary focus is the, notably not titular, He-Man or even Skeletor but focus, or lack thereof, on a particular character isn’t a sign of quality. Taken outside of meta-concerns, Masters of the Universe Revelations is a well crafted show that tells a coherent, entertaining story that shows a lot of love to those of us who grew up with a collection of hyper-muscular action figures.

    Oh and Lena Headey swears in the most British way possible and it’s glorious.    … Expand
  12. Seankichu
    Jul 25, 2021
    10
    As a kid who watched the cartoon and had all the toys, I was hesitant going in since nostalgia for cheap childhood franchises often don't hold up as an adult.
    Boy did they not disappoint. They actually found a way to continue the Master of the Universe lore in a way that only "feels" oldschool & nostalgic, while in reality slips in enough mature story telling with actual character growth    As a kid who watched the cartoon and had all the toys, I was hesitant going in since nostalgia for cheap childhood franchises often don't hold up as an adult.
    Boy did they not disappoint. They actually found a way to continue the Master of the Universe lore in a way that only "feels" oldschool & nostalgic, while in reality slips in enough mature story telling with actual character growth & stakes to the drama to justify a grown adult fan sticking around to see what happens next.
    This was way better than it needed to be, great job.    … Expand
  13. tehga
    Jul 24, 2021
    10
    I thought it was really well done, can't wait to see part two. Story was original, cast was great. Not sure why so many disliked it.
  14. Gaijin-
    Jul 23, 2021
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Short version: technically well made show with a story that, while competently written for the most part, will disappoint fans of He-Man.

    Long version (contains spoilers):
    This is not a He-Man show. This is a Teela show. For the majority of the season, you will not see He-Man. The story focuses on Teela and this other black chick character that is insinuated to be Teela's love interest (cursory search on Google seems to show it's a minor character from the old show, Ileena, that has been repurposed as a way to appease diversity extremists).

    So if you sat down in front of your TV to watch a story about He-Man, the character you loved from your childhood, you will be disappointed.

    With the above said, this is a decent show:

    - The animation is good, with character models (for the most part), vehicles and locations that you will recognize from the old show and the toys.

    - The voice acting is competent, with a cast of high level performers that mostly fit their roles perfectly.

    - The writing, despite the bait and switch maneuver, is not bad at all. You will get to know many of the characters that surrounded He-Man all these years in a much deeper way.

    In sum, even though I am certainly upset that this is a He-Man show without He-Man, all the low scores are unjustified... as are all the 9s and 10s.

    The way I see it, this can be between a 6 and a 7 depending on how much it irks you that they removed He-Man from the equation. Less than that, you are letting your disappointment get the better of you (you have good reason to be disappointed, though); more than that, you are just giving the show points for its current affairs messages (diversity, "girls get it done", etc.).

    If there is a second season, I would give it a chance, but at some point He-Man needs to come back. Let's remember that the original show was titled "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe".    … Expand
  15. dharma
    Jul 24, 2021
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I am not a hardcore fan of the show, but the children of the 80's know what franchise Smith was referencing : Transformers the Movie. Remember when they killed both Optimus Prime and Megatron in an epic 'final fight of sort' at the beginning of the movie? Well, this happens in this franchise, allowing the side characters to step into the front. However, Smith has clarified that He-Man is here to stay and will be the focus of the second half of the series, so hold on to your horses....let the creators do their thing first before we jump to any conclusions. It is a good series on par with any Netflix 'anime' out there.… Expand
  16. QG24
    Jul 24, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Major Spoilers for all 5 episodes in bound

    Don't listen to the user score on this one, if you can look past the bait and switch you'll find a great show truly meant for any Masters of the Universe fan. Teela does quite well in the protagonist role and her hesitation to rise to her new role will be relatable to those hesitant about their own future, Andro is fun and likeable if a bit underused, so I hope to see more of her in part 2. Evil-Lyn is great in her role, which surprised me as someone who always sort of forgot about her and I can only see her getting better from this point on, and the supporting cast of Orko, Beastman, Roboto and Man-At-Arms all play great roles too. And despite what others tell you, no, He-Man/Prince Adam does not get shafted, there's a decent amount of time in every episode where He-Man or Prince Adam get screen time and it's all good stuff. Skeletor, for the time he got, was also fantastic and I hope to see more of him. Triclops as a cult leader with Trapjaw second in command was a great idea that I hope they continue with in part 2. All in all these 5 episodes have been great and was truly made for Masters of the Universe fans. I can't recommend it enough    … Expand
  17. Deependra
    Jul 23, 2021
    10
    I appreciate Netflix for playing smart by not focusing entirely on remake of original 80's He-Man series. The season one with final episode leaving at cliffhanger makes the series even more intresting. Indeed, great animation & art work. Can't wait for season 2.
  18. Cblitz
    Jul 23, 2021
    10
    What can I say, it so good you could start by watching the last few episodes of the original 80s show and go right into this and you will think it's part of the same show. I hope we get more then just the currently planed 2 parts...
  19. Rigeru
    Jul 23, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It is currently impossible to please people. The series is not bad at all. It rescues characters from yesteryear in a very good way, not to mention that it has a very good first chapter. If you prefer the original, see it in its entirety and then if they come to cry. Each fandom is toxic than the last.… Expand
  20. JimmyPickles
    Jul 25, 2021
    8
    This is a fresh take on the show and while it appears a lot of people just want the past rehashed. Given that it's only five episodes so far, I think there's a lot going for this and I really like the character development in the secondary tier. Overall, excited to see where this goes in Part 2.
  21. phildog
    Jul 23, 2021
    9
    A solid start. Yes, the animation is great, but the story makes really bold and takes the show in interesting directions.

    People say the show is "all about teela", but really, it's all about the side characters. Who they are and how do they relate the "stars" of the show. It really is about the "Masters of the Universe". The show has a lot of fun exploring and expanding on existing    A solid start. Yes, the animation is great, but the story makes really bold and takes the show in interesting directions.

    People say the show is "all about teela", but really, it's all about the side characters. Who they are and how do they relate the "stars" of the show. It really is about the "Masters of the Universe". The show has a lot of fun exploring and expanding on existing lore, really fleshing out and making the characters in this world feel real.    … Expand
  22. kumvuk
    Jul 25, 2021
    10
    Great show. I loved the classics and love this. I don’t understand this hate. People really just want the same again and then cry why is it the same
  23. Razmax
    Jul 25, 2021
    9
    I don't understand the hate for this show I was born in the 1980s and watch the original when it aired. Honestly if you go back and watch that show now its fine but minus a few episodes its the same show over and over, I only can watch like maybe 2 episodes now because it gets boring pretty quick. This new show honestly is very good, I get it He-man isn't in it a lot but the show is calledI don't understand the hate for this show I was born in the 1980s and watch the original when it aired. Honestly if you go back and watch that show now its fine but minus a few episodes its the same show over and over, I only can watch like maybe 2 episodes now because it gets boring pretty quick. This new show honestly is very good, I get it He-man isn't in it a lot but the show is called Masters of the universe meaning it more than just He-man, that's why I'm giving it a 9 not a 10 but its a way more interesting show not just he-man saves everyone over and over again. I don't get the hate.… Expand
  24. Newfaceofrev
    Jul 25, 2021
    8
    You'll notice an awful lot of these reviews are simply complaints about supposed "wokeness" from people who are unable to separate their political views from their ability to enjoy things. If you're a normal person not poisoned by the culture war you'll likely find it a fairly enjoyable animated series.

    Giving a show a 0 score because of a woman's haircut, honestly.
  25. jessejaysteward
    Jul 23, 2021
    10
    I grew up with the original He-Man and She-Ra which I loved and i’d say this is a really fun and fresh spin on the He-Man and friends.
  26. Gazag
    Jul 25, 2021
    10
    As a longtime fan He Man I consider Masters of the Universe Revelation as a very successful production.
  27. ABCoLD
    Jul 24, 2021
    10
    Amazing show, true to the spirit of the original show. Definitely feels like a Kevin Smith show, has his fingerprints all over it. That's a very good thing.
  28. aphextwinpeaks
    Jul 24, 2021
    10
    Sensational! So much fun. It's a little subversive, well written, brilliantly acted and brought me tears of nostalgia. Better than the recent Voltron re-do. 10/10, I'd give it 15/10 because it's also managed to upset the incels!
  29. staubin
    Jul 30, 2021
    8
    Kevin Smith took what was literally a stagnant property and breathed new life into it towards a completely different direction and out come all the Edgelords and Incels whining about it. The voice acting, from Mark Hamill to Henry Rollins, is incredible. There are some great moments that reconnect you to your 80's roots. I'm a guy in his 40's who still owns his He-Man action figures butKevin Smith took what was literally a stagnant property and breathed new life into it towards a completely different direction and out come all the Edgelords and Incels whining about it. The voice acting, from Mark Hamill to Henry Rollins, is incredible. There are some great moments that reconnect you to your 80's roots. I'm a guy in his 40's who still owns his He-Man action figures but I think this review section is all you need to see just how toxic and fragile men of my age really are!… Expand
  30. Fidhel
    Jul 25, 2021
    10
    rereading, updated history and moving forward with history

    recounting the already known story wouldn't be so cool, I honestly enjoyed what I saw and didn't expect it to be so good! some very exciting moments
  31. avictorao
    Aug 16, 2021
    9
    What a fantastic show! I didn't expect it to be such a treat. I really hope we see more seasons.
  32. Jyncks
    Jul 26, 2021
    8
    The show was good. Was sympathetic to those upset until I looked at the name of the show. I hope the next half of the season continues bringing the goods in spite of the hate.
  33. makaveli-313
    Aug 21, 2021
    9
    I can't say I was happy with the direction they took with some characters but overall I am very satisfied with the Part 1 thus far...
  34. RagnusLif
    Jul 25, 2021
    9
    The story is about the world and had a lot of deep lore into all the characters like Teela / Man at Arms / Orko and Evilyn, yes He-man made a small part in the series, but was only because that was a great way to show more about the others characters, the pacing, and animation was really good for only 5 episodes, with the stupid fanbase stop ruining the score of the series, maybe we getThe story is about the world and had a lot of deep lore into all the characters like Teela / Man at Arms / Orko and Evilyn, yes He-man made a small part in the series, but was only because that was a great way to show more about the others characters, the pacing, and animation was really good for only 5 episodes, with the stupid fanbase stop ruining the score of the series, maybe we get the chance of see He-man in the second season against a really powerful Skeletor… Expand
  35. M1rko94
    Jul 26, 2021
    7
    Review in pills:
    Masters of the Universe: Revelation - Part 1
    Pro: - Nostalgia effect; - Style / Design; - Screenplay: product with a more mature writing and a horizontal plot; - Good animations; - Easter eggs. Cons (not necessarily): - Product not for everyone: it is not a product for beginners because (although there is a short intro) it does not explain the characters and especially all    Review in pills:
    Masters of the Universe: Revelation - Part 1
    Pro:
    - Nostalgia effect;
    - Style / Design;
    - Screenplay: product with a more mature writing and a horizontal plot;
    - Good animations;
    - Easter eggs.
    Cons (not necessarily):
    - Product not for everyone: it is not a product for beginners because (although there is a short intro) it does not explain the characters and especially all the depth of their bonds given that it is a continuation and not a beginning.    … Expand
  36. PDYER23
    Jul 25, 2021
    10
    Loved it. Was just the first part of a story but am interested to see how it winds up.
  37. megatillo
    Jul 25, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Exceeded my expectations! The challenge with any sequel to a nostalgic kids show is bringing genuine peril, drama, and surprises to the story while also avoiding re-hashing an old episode. I found this story to be interesting and different. It showcased many of the classic characters while actually letting them grow/develop and react to their world in a realistic manner. It also ended in a place no 80s TV show could ever go...what happens when the villain FINALLY achieves what they are striving for? What happens next? Very interesting setup for part two.… Expand
  38. balljingo
    Jul 25, 2021
    9
    A very good update to the ‘80s cartoon that served entirely as an ad to sell toys to children. Actual characters and an actual story do wonders here, and make the first part a quick and fun watch. Anyone genuinely upset over the direction that the plot of a He-Man show takes needs a significant amount of counseling, and should probably not be watching cartoons on Netflix in the first place.
  39. Thornzero
    Jul 25, 2021
    10
    I didn't watch he-man when I was younger. I'm 34. I decided to watch this because I like the movies and tv shows that Kevin Smith had a hand in. This version of he-man resonates with me more than the older version. It saddens me that fans of the old one felt so butthurt that they had to artificially pad the negative rating for this newer version. I understand the nostalgia. There are manyI didn't watch he-man when I was younger. I'm 34. I decided to watch this because I like the movies and tv shows that Kevin Smith had a hand in. This version of he-man resonates with me more than the older version. It saddens me that fans of the old one felt so butthurt that they had to artificially pad the negative rating for this newer version. I understand the nostalgia. There are many different films and tv shows that I didn't like the reboots of. I didn't throw a fit and make it my mission to vote it into oblivion. So I enjoyed it. I want to see where it goes. Cry more. Go watch your DVD box set of old he-man. It still exists. Let everyone else try this new one out. Maybe in the end there will be more fans than before.… Expand
  40. YkStu
    Jul 25, 2021
    9
    It was a good season I like the expansion of the story and I'm glad that it wasn't just a remake of the origin series.
  41. Norminator
    Jul 26, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is a great rendition of the Masters of the Universe... Universe. The decision to not focus on He-Man is bold and makes perfect sense. He just won't work as a sole main protagonist in a show for all audiences, as he's too good, too flawless. Focusing on the other masters raises the stakes, because we don't have that one person who can swoop in and fix everything with a single punch.
    Most of the redesigns work really well. Especially Evil-Lyn, although I'm not a big fan of the look of He-Man and Skeletor.
    The voices are well done, but don't always fit the character in my opinion. Especially He-Man and Skeletor. Teela also sounds off, but it's tolerable.

    Oh and BTW, He-Man was *always* woke.    … Expand
  42. rhyobit
    Jul 26, 2021
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Ok so this show is nominally about He-Man, and whislt it's still a good watch, it's not what I expected as someone who loved He-Man as a child and feels like such a missed opportunity.

    The show opens and has a decent start, but by the end of the 1st episode He-Man/Prince Adam is quite literally dead. *spoilers* The rest of the series is then basically about Teela on a quest to ressurect He-Man.

    All of the plot development is around Teela, who forges relationships with randoms as well as the well known cast of characters we all remember from our childhood including Evil Lyn, with some strong foreshadowing of some season 2 things to come i'm sure.

    Eventually, she gets somewhere by going down the death rabbit hole to find Prince-Adam in an effective He-Man Paradise where she convinces him to come back and restore magic to eternia which he does. Shortly thereafter, he's dead again with a big cliffhanger.

    The story telling is good, the characterisation is generally strong - Lena Heady is a tour de force as Evil Lyn, although I feel the Sarah Michelle Gellar does get landed with some poor dialogue, especially around her spurning of Man at Arms, and the general Eternian Court over being lied to - she definitely comes off as naive or petty over it. Anyway, importantly, but this isn't a show about He-Man, it's a show about Teela where He-Man/Prince Adam is a supporting character.

    Don't get me wrong I enjoyed the show, and I love it's modern precursor, She-Ra on Netflix as did my kids. The themes in this though, it's not targeted at children, but it also doesn't seem to be targeted at men, or even "males" which is I would think, should be its' primary target demographic.

    I'll be honest here, I went into this cudded into a couch with my son really hoping for something like She-Ra targeted at boys. All through the first episode I was actually shedding nostalgic tears and revelling in being able to share something that was such a big part of my childhood with my boy. By the end of that episode, I was left with some doubts that the following episodes pretty much confirmed and blew away any hope I had.

    i've read some pieces that this "isn't about he-man" and that Kevin Smith has taken issue with that. I agree with that, this "is" about He-Man as a series, but the main character in it is not He-Man, it's Teela. There's nothing wrong with that in and of itself, but everything leading into this show subverts that reality. It's entirely possible that Smith intends to focus more on the eponymous character of this show in future seasons, but the manner in which the story is conducted gives me enough concern to grant the possibility that this won't be the case as a good probability.

    I like this show, but it's not what I wanted or expected, maybe in this day and age I should've, but I think it does a dis-service to boys and men. There's nothing wrong with strong female characters, and what's here is well written with a generally interesting story. The fact is that this "universe" already had an entire 5 season show dedicated to exactly that, that I thoroughly enjoyed. I was hoping that this show would dedicate a similar amount of time providing a male role model for my Son like She-Ra did for my Daughter. I was sorely disappointed, and it shouldn't be the case that I should have to explain to him that this character, who's historically the star of this show should be relegated to a bit part.

    More so, i'm a bit angry about that, the interplay between Prince Adam and He-Man is a really intriguing one which could show a whole gamut of masculinity between the more potentially feminine, and the overtly masculine. This could've been a show that gave someone to look to for the entire gamut of male sexuality, and instead it feels like it all ended up about Teela and her feelings about He-Man and Adam.

    I sincerely hope that Smith corrects this course in the second season, i'm a big fan of his and he's a very capable writer and director, and I know he has the ability. I'll definitely watch the second season in that hope and I'm sure I'll watch the whole lot even if he misses the mark for those exact same reasons. I don't think what I'm hoping for is asking too much, and he definitely still has the tools within the story to do so.

    Given the way the world works these days though, who knows.    … Expand
  43. Averagecitizen
    Jul 28, 2021
    10
    This show is a bit of a bait and switch because it is an Eternia Without a He-Man story. Our hero acquits himself honorably and the show does him justice, but small spoiler, he is indisposed for most of the episodes. This leaves the show room to develop other characters, including but not limited to Teela. Once you get over the shock of the bait and switch you'll find that the show handlesThis show is a bit of a bait and switch because it is an Eternia Without a He-Man story. Our hero acquits himself honorably and the show does him justice, but small spoiler, he is indisposed for most of the episodes. This leaves the show room to develop other characters, including but not limited to Teela. Once you get over the shock of the bait and switch you'll find that the show handles the story, the characters and the nostalgia in really the best way possible. Not only is it ok for us to have a lot of story with "side" characters, we actually needed it for the world to make sense. This show lets us relive the nostalgia of the old show even though it was a shallow romp for children. This show is anything but, and that is only possible because of the big shakeups. Eternia and it's denizens here feel familiar but different, the early episodes paving the way for the show to use the dramatic changes in Eternia as a smooth excuse for our cast to start acting like believable people. It is all handled masterfully and Eternia and its heroes (and villains) are lovingly recreated but not held sacred, with exciting and skillful additions and developments adding interest.

    Do yourself a favor and give the show an honest chance. You won't regret it.    … Expand
  44. Gkuchera
    Aug 5, 2021
    8
    Great animation, cool story. I didn't mind the sacrifice in the first episode, but I can see how it could turn a few people off. Looking forward to the rest. A little ridiculous to see the review bombing here as the first like 100 reviews were 7 - 10 and the next few hundred were 0-2

Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Most Discussed TV Season of 2021

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Collider
    Reviewed by: Rafael Motamayor
    Jul 26, 2021
    83
    It may take a little while to fully get into what Masters of the Universe: Revelation is doing if you are not already familiar with the franchise. But whether you're a longtime fan or just hungry for a unique blend of sci-fi and fantasy, this show offers an exhilarating adventure that justifies the era of the legacyquel, while proving itself a necessary and essential part of the Masters of the Universe mythos.
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  2. Decider
    Reviewed by: Joel Keller
    Jul 23, 2021
    80
    Smith eschews his normally wordy dialogue style, but keeps the characters smart and real, which helps us want to follow all of them as they go on their journey. He also hews closely to the convoluted world that is Eternia, where there’s layer upon layer of intrigue and mysticism that needs to be restored or captured. The animation is an upgraded version of the ’80s Filmation style the original show had, but with just enough retro touches to keep the show connected to its predecessor.
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  3. CNN
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Jul 22, 2021
    50
    For those expecting something truly boundary-pushing, rest assured, no one will confuse this with "Clerks."
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