REVIEW: ‘She-Ra and The Princesses Of Power’

She-Ra and the Princesses Of Power is the latest in Dreamworks Animation’s original Netflix shows and a remake of the 1985 He-Man spin-off series She-Ra: Princess of Power. As someone who watched her fair share of She-Ra and He-Man reruns as a child, I was cautiously optimistic about this show.

The franchise seemed like an excellent candidate for a modern retelling, but it was also very much a product of its time. I was worried that they wouldn’t be able to tell a modern story, while still staying true the goofy spirit of the original show. Fortunately, I was proven wrong. She-Ra And The Princesses Of Power is wonderful, with a captivating story and great characters. It brings She-Ra firmly into the 21st century, while still remaining faithful to its roots.

Without getting into spoilers the story is about a girl named Adora, who one day discovers that whenever she touches a magical sword she is transformed into the legendary warrior Princess She-Ra. She along with her friends Bow and Glitter, fight evil and try to bring all the Princesses from the various kingdoms together to form the Princess Alliance. It is pretty standard kids show fare, but there is a surprising amount of depth to the story.

The characters were my favorite part of the show. Adora’s journey, in particular, is relatable, charming, and heartbreaking at times. The main supporting characters Glimmer and Bow were great as well and they each got their own moments to shine. My only complaint is that the other Princesses didn’t have a lot to do, but I’m sure that will be remedied in later seasons.

You can’t escape the fact that She-Ra was created to sell toys and the original show reflects that. It’s pretty ridiculous, full of magic swords, alternate dimensions, Rainbow Pegasus, and some incredibly cheesy dialogue. This show, however, wasn’t afraid to embrace the ridiculous elements of She-Ra’s past. If you’re at all familiar with She-Ra you will recognize some of the characters and story elements, but they have all been brilliantly adapted for a modern audience.

This is the kind of show that I wish existed when I was a kid. It’s action-packed, emotional, and so much fun. I was hooked the entire way through and I can’t wait to see what happens next. In a world cash-grab remakes, She-Ra And The Princesses Of Power is a shining example of how to do it right and I can’t recommend it enough.