Towards the end of a first episode that felt very much like the original series, this new take on Masters of the Universe threw its characters a massive curveball and asked what they would do next. What follows is a twisty, fun adventure with unlikely alliances, some slyly funny lines and moments of tear-jerking pathos. The whole is elevated by fantastic voice performances by a star cast (Lena Headey as Evil-Lyn was my favourite, against some stiff competition from Mark Hamill as Skeletor, Sarah Michelle Gellar as Teela, and frankly the whole excellent cast). The detractors are right that Adam/He-Man isn't the main focus of these first five episodes, and that this new series plays with and in some ways subverts the original, but it does so in a way that feels affectionate and true to the characters while bringing a modern sensibility which means this is more than a continuation or remake. While it's clear that the latter is what some people would prefer, others (myself included) would find that dull and pointless. So I personally am glad Kevin Smith and team were brave enough to create a MOTU that is not only a joy for those of us old enough to fondly recall the original while recognising that the world has moved on since it was made, but also brings the franchise up-to-date for today's kids.
Review of Masters of the Universe: Revelation
