Masters of the Universe: Revolution is all about selling action figures, but that’s how He-Man stories should be

In the year that Greta Gerwig and the Mattel company got a postmodern comedy movie about Barbie dolls nominated for Best Picture, here’s another tribute to a famous Mattel toy line that may be a little less sophisticated, but isn’t in its own way less authentic or idiosyncratic. -conscious. Masters of the Universe: Revolutiona five-part animated special on Netflix, is an enjoyably over-the-top celebration of the kitschy action figures of the ’80s.

Revolution is also a continuation or sequel to Revelationa ten-part series that aired in two parts in 2021. Both series were created by nerd expert Kevin Smith and picked up the adventures of He-Man, Skeletor, and their various bizarre friends more or less straight from where they were left. out in the hit mid-’80s animated show.

Revelation‘s genius was to revel in the unapologetic, heavy-metal excesses of the Masters of the Universe… universe, and pay tribute to the look of the original toys and cartoon, while using a soapy, turbo-charged storyline to completely renewing the tone, continuity and characters for the 21st century. Daring – in a move that you could say was inspired Twin Peaks: The Return without sounding complete foolish – the first five episodes almost completely omitted He-Man and his meek alter ego Prince Adam, instead following He-Man’s friend Teela’s quest to save an endangered Eternia, bringing He-Man back to to awaken and realize her own potential.

By the end of the show, Teela had taken on the mantle of sorceress and far surpassed her predecessor (and mother) in power, while former villains Skeletor and Evil-Lyn had switched sides several times. Perhaps buoyed by the fact that no one takes He-Man lore all that seriously, Smith gave a reading of the material that was upbeat, progressive, and even a little romantic. He focused on having fun with the characters and gleefully upended the power hierarchy on Eternia while doing so.

Image: Netflix

Image: Netflix

Image: Netflix

Image: Netflix

In brief: Revolution is no different. If you thought the series couldn’t possibly raise the bar Revelation in terms of personal drama, galactic stakes and super-powered upgrades, think again. The series begins with Adam (now out and proud as He-Man) and Teela facing a new threat: a mechanized Skeletor has combined his dark magic with the techno-power of an android entity called Motherboard, and is out to destroy the population. of Eternia into slavery. service to the demonic Hordak.

At the same time, Adam is confronted with the mortality of his father, King Randor, and must choose between ruling as king or continuing his adventure as He-Man – when, unexpectedly, his outcast uncle Keldor shows up. (If you know later versions of Masters of the Universe, you know that Smith builds some pretty important lore into the original timeline by introducing Keldor.) Meanwhile, Teela sets herself the task of resurrecting Heaven itself (Preternia, as it is known). in Masters of the Universe), which was more or less accidentally destroyed by Evil-Lyn (note: no longer evil). Revelation.

It’s all very dramatic and all very fun. Once again the voice cast delivers, although unfortunately Sarah Michelle Gellar has not returned as Teela (the role is now played by Melissa Benoist). Mark Hamill’s outrageous Skeletor surpasses even his Joker in terribly sarcastic vocal contortions, Lena Headey is smooth and sultry as Evil-Lyn, and there are new star turns from Keith David as Hordak and none other than William Shatner as Keldor, who is just as sounds as stentorian as ever, and at least twenty years younger than his 92 years.

Image: Mattel

Of course, there’s a catch, which could cost you a pretty penny if you’re a fan. Like Revelation for the, Revolution delights in redesigning its characters, sometimes multiple times, as they continue to combine and expand their powers over the course of Eternia’s eternal techno-magical arms race. New outfits, new powers, and new looks can only mean one thing: new action figures, which is clearly why Mattel ordered the whole thing in the first place.

But this is right and proper for a He-Man story. The character was always an action figure first and an animated hero second, and if he and his wild menagerie of supporting players didn’t continually evolve into new forms, they would lose their raison d’être. Plus, the designs are very cool, in a defiantly uncool way; the badass appeal of Snake Teela or Cyborg Skeletor is undeniable. (The toys themselves are also of pretty good quality, by the way.)

There’s no point in being a purist when it comes to He-Man. That’s not in the spirit of the matter. This is a series about heroes and villains with bulging muscles, huge mechs, tiny garments and gothic capes that cluck and roar as they battle for control of the entire universe. Revolution seems to be pushing that to the limit, but the great thing is that you know that the makers will outdo themselves next time. They have to. Where else will the new toys come from?

Masters of the Universe: Revolution is now streaming on Netflix.