Netflix’s He-Man and the Masters of the Universe show is finally out, and reviews for the reboot series have been pretty positive so far. Here’s why.
Netflix’s He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is the latest new addition to the popular franchise, and the reviews for the series have been pretty positive so far. Unlike Kevin Smith’s Masters of the Universe: Revelation, which is targeted primarily at older fans of the original 1980s cartoon, the new He-Man is a CGI reimagining of the original targeted squarely at kids. While not all the critics are singing its praises, it sounds like He-Man and the Masters of the Universe has been pretty successful in that mission for a few key reasons.
After years of very little new Masters of the Universe content, Netflix has created a sort of renaissance for the franchise. It started with the massive popularity of She-Ra and has continued with Revelation and He-Man and the Masters of the Universe in 2021. Despite high critical praise, Masters of the Universe: Revelation was widely panned by fans for how the He-Man character was written. That frustration has put a bit more pressure on Netflix’s newest He-Man series, despite its status as a more traditional kids’ show.
So, is He-Man and the Masters of the Universe the revival fans have been waiting for? Maybe not in every way, but the critical consensus so far points to an entertaining and well-made series that could be great for new viewers and potential still fun for those who’ve been with the franchise for years. Here’s what the critics are saying about Netflix’s He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.
Gizmodo:
“Netflix and Mattel have managed to reinvent He-Man for 2021, a feat that I honestly thought was impossible. It’s dared to drop all the parts of the ‘80s series that had become dead weight, and wise enough to emulate the cartoons that kids today are watching. Maybe He-Man and the Masters of the Universe won’t be enough to hook a new generation of viewers, but it’s finally got a real shot—and that’s something He-Man fans of all ages should be happy about.”
Consequence:
“When viewed through the lens of its kid-focused aspirations, there’s a fair bit to admire about He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. It hews closely to the spirit of the original show, while throwing in some welcome spins to the material to fit more modern sensibilities. There’s even a glimmer of serialized storytelling here, though it hardly reaches even the modest heights of Revelation‘s twists and turns. Still, it’s hard to fault He-Man for its simplicity; its aims, after all, are simple.”
Polygon:
“The result isn’t merely an updated look, but an updated set of character dynamics. He-Man is no longer the lone chosen savior. The weapons and armors all feel interlinked. And the show is geared toward a single theme: As true heroes know, power is meant to be shared.”
Decider:
“What this version of He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe lacks in nostalgia it more than makes up for with smart dialogue, good CGI, and its ability to start building the world of Eternia from scratch with a compelling story.”