Television Show Review: Netflix's She-Ra and the Princesses of Power   (10/10 - TOP MARKS!)

This is not typical for me, but I am about to review an animated series. We started watching this for our daughter, but she was too young to get into it. My spouse and I on the other hand, really ended up enjoying it. 

Following the recent years' trends of animated series actually geared towards adults (or older kids) the reboot of the 1980's show She-Ra picked up by Netflix is in fact, not a very kid show. Though it could be watched for its most superficial kid-friendly aspects - there is SO much depth to this show. There are great character development arcs, love interests, diversity, fantastic dialogue, and subtle sarcasm and humor which ties it together for me.

Images: Original Adora (Left) and Original She-Ra (Right) from the 1980s

The reboot focuses on a teenage Adora who is about sixteen years old and in the employ of the Horde. Through a series of (un)fortunate events, Adora comes across the sword of She-Ra. In wielding this sword, she becomes the legendary hero of Etheria - "She-Ra." In doing so, she abandons her friends, specifically Catra, and the Horde to join the Princess Rebellion. Together, they work with the other princesses of power to fight the Horde (and eventually Hordak Prime) and regain control of Etheria and place it into an age of peace.

To do this, Adora's journey takes her from the Fright Zone as a Horde soldier, to a novel princess of power at Bright Moon, to all through the world of Etheria, through time and space, to new universes and more. This is actually a fantastic allegory for finding one's self in the distractions and challenges of a modern world. Knowing that you have something unique within you to give to the world, and trying to do so in a way that balances your own desires against that of responsibility. 

Images: (Left) Young Adora, (Right) Teenage Adora (~17 years old) 

This series is fun in how it shows the development of Adora into She-Ra. She doesn't magically know how to wield her powers and save the day. Instead, she uses the knowledge she gained as a soldier and discipline to laboriously go through the lessons and learn what needs to be learned. She starts off as a rather amateur hero and human, then gets to mega hero status.

Images: First Beginner She-Ra, Second Ultimate She-Ra (My nicknames, not theirs)

In addition to She-Ra, there is a great cast of characters voiced by some popular actors (below). They flow in and out of the story lines, but are always nearby to be brought around later. Every main character: all the princess, Catra, and Bow mature before your very eyes. Which is both true to the story they are trying to tell as well as the age group they are portraying. 

As a series of side plot lines, we watch the core group transform as they too must find their purpose, power, and place in the world. Not everyone survives. But those that do are light years away from the characters that they were in the beginning. Except Bow. His optimism will never fail.

The bad guys also are quite interesting in their (inadvertent) social commentary on greed, power, and human rights. Hordak and Hordak prime dsiplayed below.

Lastly, there was a surprise LGBTQIA+ element in it, at least for me. While I got an inkling of it as early as season 1 (some scenes had a pretty queer vibe) I was surprised to see it in a mainstream show - particularly for kids. One character has two dads, there are gender-fluid characters (though not explicitly said), some LGBTQIA+ stereotypes, but more importantly just a general sense of people being good people. And love being love. There is no judgement, just acceptance. And I personally appreciate that messaging in a sea of hate in the contemporary news/media. 

*Trying not to put too many story-line spoilers in here*

All in all, this is a HIGHLY recommended show. It's not as adult as Archer, but adults will love it nonetheless. 

Stay safe and successful!