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She-Ra and the Princesses of Power

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She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. (Netflix)
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. (Netflix)

WHAT IT'S ABOUT:

Soldier Adora finds a magic sword - and her identity as legendary hero She-ra. She joins the Rebellion, but her best friend stays with the evil Horde. 

WHAT WE THOUGHT:

This magical modern remake of a 1980s series - that starts when a mysterious sword transforms an orphaned girl into warrior named She-Ra - is my favourite show of the year. It has action, comedy, heartbreak and more, all neatly wrapped into a storyline that moves at an enthralling pace. 

100% of people on Rotten Tomatoes agree with me but just over 60% of people on IMDb do, which is a good summary of the two viewpoints of the show on the internet. It seems that while a lot of people love it, others wish it was just a little bit different. What are some of the reasons people don’t like it? Well, they find it too inclusive. There are just too many moments where a character has flowers in their hair, or there are just too many rainbows, as well as too many varied body types. That’s right, in a made-up world, when the lead protagonist’s journey is centred on friendship, love and fighting insidious evil, some people are finding the message that all forms of existence are valid and equal just a little bit too politically correct for them to digest.

There is only one thing to say to people who prefer their children’s programming to be homogenous, repetitive and dull. Too bad. I’m sure that they’ll be able to find something centred on a more tired trope that they can enjoy. This show is for kids and adults alike to see magical characters that are not only relatable, but also embodiments of resilience, acceptance and love in all forms.

Even the villains are well fleshed out with their motives being unpacked and their stories brought across in vivid, colourful designs that swept me away into another world I wish I could live in for a while longer.

The main cast, comprised of Aimee Carrero as Princess Adora/She-Ra, Amanda Michalka as Catra, Marcus Scribner as Bow, Karen Fukuhara as Glimmer, Reshma Shetty as Angela, and the brilliant Lorraine Toussaint as Shadow Weaver, all play their characters with such ease – especially in the heavier moments - that I could totally see them performing together for many years to come.

While the script and animation are obviously of a high standard, I think the performances of the voice actors really bring this fun show to life, making me want more.

I think people will be able to watch season one of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power for many years to come and be able to revel in its richness, levity, and impact. It truly is a timeless animation.

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE:

WATCH IT NOW ON NETFLIX

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