When it comes to Masters of the Universe, many of us have very fond memories of watching the cartoon…erm…animated series by Filmation that was based on Mattel’s toy line. And man…the toys were muy caliente.
I still remember my dad taking me to Reggies to buy my first action figure, Battle Armour He-Man, that had this rotating thingy on his chest that indicated damage taken by the armour, for the princely sum of R15.00. After that I got Battle Armour Skeletor and slowly but surely, every month, I would add another action figure to my collection. I had loads of them, well, of the limited range that were available in South Africa at the time due to sanctions. I had He-man, Skeletor, Hordak, Mer-man, Fisto, Mantenna, Teela, Evil-Lyn, Syklone, Prince Adam, Two Bad, Horde Trooper, the Original He-man and Skeletor (which were very hard to come by) and Moldulok, to name a few. Here is a complete list of the action figures that were available. I even got a Battle Cat for my birthday one year and a Castle Grayskull for Christmas. But it took me forever to scrounge up the dosh to buy each action figure I could get my grubby little paws on.
I remember that Man at Arms was like the Holy Grail, because his action figure was such a rare find.
Sadly, with time as I grew older, they got lost somewhere. It’s a shame, because they would be very valuable now.
I never missed and episode of TV series, and remember the disappointment when each episode was finished. We weren’t fancy enough, those years, for a VCR. LOL.
I watched an episode or two on Youtube the other day, and sheesh….it didn’t age well. For a young boy in primary school, it was the best thing since sliced bread. But, it is and always will be a classic for any kid growing up in the 80’s.
Naturally, my interest was piqued when Masters of the Universe: Revelation was announced. I don’t watch animated series, like, at all, but I was keen to see what they were going to do with it.
A while after the Netflix and Kevin Smith announcement, all hell seemingly broke loose, with fans and followers of the Masters of the Universe lore out for blood and explanations, as apparently there were comic books, a 2000 TV series (heh, what?) and all manner of Masters of the Universe stuff, I never heard about, that were trampled upon. As a kid I never thought about the lore behind the series, and the only comic books I read were the awesome little ones you got with every action figure, which in my opinion was a brilliant marketing strategy by Mattel. We used to trade those little comic books between friends if you had duplicates.
Anyway, Kevin Smith is still getting lambasted on Twitter for telling “lies” as a marketing ploy, to get fans and nostalgic 40 somethings like myself to buy into his version of Masters of the Universe. The series, even after getting a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, is also being review bombed with a 25% positive fan reaction. I never understood why people do that. If you don’t like something, then just don’t watch it. Geez.
I didn’t follow the whole thing very closely, but read that fans were angry about the lack of screen time He-Man and Skeletor gets, and is calling it the Teela show. Also that the show went “woke” with the female characters being full of muscles, Teela having a “lesbian” side shave, and the killing off of a beloved character. There was also major backlash about the King Grayskull race swap, with him now being Black. Pitch forks were whipped out and the charge was, mainly led by Clownfish TV, from what I could gather. I could of course be wrong with some of it, as there is so much chaos about this at the moment, and everyone is, as they always do, jumping on the wagon, ready to pillage Kevin Smith’s village.
I found myself also being disappointed. But then I realized a few things.
Everything has two sides. Let’s look at the perspectives.
The Fans
The fans of the series expected to see more of what they loved. And we all know how upset fans get, when you mess with the lore of, well, anything. We see it a lot in video games and movies as well. They are used to a formula, and when you mess with that, well, they will get pissed off. Kill a beloved character off, and you will take the brunt of their wrath.
What also didn’t help is Kevin Smith’s vehement denials that He-man and Skeletor are basically playing second fiddle to Teela and her journey. Something which at least in the first season seems to be how it actually plays out. For now, at least. As well as his claims to being a hard core fan, when he actually got the dates of when he watched it in the 80’s wrong, and him reportedly saying in his series Comic Book Men, that he was, in fact, not a fan of He-Man. With that he called it a sequel, which will carry on where the old series left off. So fans were probably expecting more of the same.
Sarah Michelle Gellar, who voices Teela in the series, also didn’t help matters by saying that she wasn’t a fan of the 80’s show as female characters were an afterthought. Not that she had to be a fan, mind you, but that’s not how you win over rabid fans of the old series.
The flip side of the coin, mainly from Kasie’s limited common sense
The original series was episodic in nature with a little life lesson at the end and was mainly made to bolster sales of the toys for Mattel. Skeletor looks for kak, He-Man rolls in, a barney ensues, He-Man kicks his blue butt even more blue and the day is saved.
Revelation, is all about a continuing story, running through an entire season. It caters for adults as well as children, and characters actually die, instead of just being bashed around a bit like in the old series. With all the weaponry each character has, it would make sense that there will be deaths involved. Duh.
The story has to grow and characters evolve, or so I hope.
Also, we have to look at inclusivity. The old series was more for boys. My sister, didn’t give two shakes about He-man. She was more into Barbie, and I remember, with glee, how my He-Man used to capture her Barbie, until a ransom in sweets was paid, or my Battle Cat would hunt her Barbie’s horsie when he was hungry. Yes, yes…little psychotic Kaas, I know.
With series and movies these days, for it to be successful, you have to appeal to the whole spectrum of humanity. It’s just a fact, and I’m all for it. As long as you do it properly and genuinely, without destroying a series or movie’s integrity and also not just to pander to a certain demographic. Everyone wants to be able to relate to certain characters and feel included. The show is for everyone, no matter what gender, personal persuasion or outlook in life, isn’t it?
That being said, Teela was by no means a secondary character in the 80’s series. So they did try. Maybe not hard enough according to some folks, well it was the 80’s (I mean just look the hair styles and clothes), but she was one of the central figures.
Also, the fact that it’s titled Masters of the Universe: Revelation and not He-man and the Masters of the Universe: Revelation, should have alluded fans to the premise of the series. There are many characters to play around with. Just like The Avengers. They are, after all, all of them Masters of the Universe.
My conclusion
I think, no matter what they did with the series, there will be those that are disappointed. People will always find something to complain about. That is a fact.
And we all know, through all whining, that they will still watch it anyway.
I’m happy with the fact that the series isn’t just more of the same, but more of a build-up of things to come. I think disgruntled fans are too hasty in their judgement, and should give the show some time to play out, before rushing to conclusions. I mean, only five episodes are available so far. See where the story leads.
Also, give everyone their little place in the sun where the characters are concerned. They are obviously trying something new and it might or might not work. Only time will tell. Teela is and always was a strong character in Masters of the Universe. Let her show us what her journey brings.
He-Man and Skeletor will have their chance, going forward. There is no way you just get rid or completely side line them. That would make the show fail, and I think the creators of the new series know that. They play too big a role in the saga of Eternia.
I also think that Kevin Smith didn’t handle the whole thing too well, and should have remained…well…silent, instead of calling people out on Twitter.
Maybe he lied, maybe he just didn’t communicate what is happening very well. Maybe he just doesn’t want to spoil what is still to come. Maybe he is just a very confused individual. Who knows?
Maybe it’s is all a load of bollocks and he is pandering. We will never know until we see more of what is to come.
Maybe we should look through fresh eyes at the series and just enjoy it for what it is. I mean , why not?
So watch the series for what it is, keep an open mind and let it play out. Maybe everyone walks away happy later on.
I’m looking at doing a review, if someone else doesn’t beat me to it, of the available episodes. But first I have to finish watching it.
Okay, bye now. I’m off to Eternia to check out muscled chicks and fluffy speedo’s.
Last Updated: July 26, 2021
Original Heretic
July 26, 2021 at 04:44
I have watched all 5 episodes, and damn am I disappointed.
I have no issue with them doing Teela’s
journey, but how He-Man was treated left a sour taste in my mouth.
The action is great, so is the animation and voice acting.
Some of the story beats are also very cool.
But…
I won’t say more for fear of spoiling it for others.
MonsterCheddar
July 26, 2021 at 04:59
I loved it. I wrote a review as well. Don’t know When it will be published, if he publishes it.
I think there is still a lot more we haven’t seen yet. It’s a story and we only saw 5 episodes so far, but a lot of fans want the instant gratification instead of watching the story unfold.
Would’ve been boring if it was just more of He-man kicking Skeletors butt the whole time.
OOOH…I loved Evil Lyn. Their choice in Lena Headey voicing her was brilliant.
Original Heretic
July 26, 2021 at 05:12
Okay, now I’m heading into huge spoiler territory, so if anyone hasn’t watched until the end, you have been warned.
What I don’t like is that they seem to be setting Teela up as the next conduit for the power.
We already have a She-Ra.
The 80’s show has not aged well whatsoever, so I was very keen to show my little boy He-Man kicking some ass.
And now I can’t do that.
MonsterCheddar
July 26, 2021 at 05:27
And I don’t like her character very much. Bit self centered and bitchy if you ask me.
Mandalorian Jim
July 30, 2021 at 05:43
Which appears to be a blueprint for the vast majority of female characters these days… I mean, when did it become a crime to be feminine – yet badass?
Mandalorian Jim
July 30, 2021 at 05:41
So, given that I haven’t watched the show, it sounds like Teela is basically going to inherit Greyskull’s power? And become? SHE-WOMAN? lol. That would be balsy of Kevin Smith, dumb… idiotic… but balsy.
My prediction though would be, that it’s just a bait-and-switch – “the ol’ tired subvert thy expectations yawn” and Adam regains his powers, and then we’ll have one He-Man episode at the end of the season (he dies twice in the first 5 episodes right? So, they’ll probably kill him a few more times before the last episode).
Hammersteyn
July 30, 2021 at 09:33
*Her-Woman 😂
Hammersteyn
July 30, 2021 at 09:34
Then again, what’s Eternia’s stance on gender?
R1ker
July 26, 2021 at 10:49
Yeah I enjoyed Evil Lyn as well. But the end the character redeeming just got thrown out of the window. But again – lets wait for part 2 🙂
R1ker
July 26, 2021 at 10:49
Yeah I enjoyed Evil Lyn as well. But the end the character redeeming just got thrown out of the window. But again – lets wait for part 2 🙂
Mandalorian Jim
July 30, 2021 at 05:34
I have the feeling that if Kevin was honest, and came out and said from the beginning that we’re telling Teela’s story within the “Masters of the Universe” universe, the reaction would not have been as bad. I haven’t really taken too much note of the furore, but the biggest issue seems to be that he “lied”, especially after Clownfish TV broke the news that the show wasn’t actually about He-Man, and Kevin (being the over-bloated ball of ego) then went on a marketing blitzkrieg to try to discredit them.
And now, it’s basically elevated Clownfish TV’s youtube channel because they were right all along, and he’s on his backfoot trying to paint anyone who doesn’t like the show as a manbaby. He should know by now that, that does not work, and it doesn’t matter if the enthusiast press has his back, because the last 6-7 years have taught us, that the voice and word of the professional critic (not like the Kasie ) no longer matters, and potentially can’t be trusted.
It makes me wonder whether he’s realised that how he acts now will have an effect on how Clerks 3 will be received because he’s kind of in the same sphere as Will Wheaton – in that fans generally considered them part of the fandom, almost ambassadors of geekdom, until the fans realise they’re just empty talking heads, and then the backlash occurs. I don’t think Will Wheaton will ever recover, and I don’t think Kevin Smith will either. He might have just sunk his own battleship – and purely through the size of his own hubris.
Hammersteyn
July 26, 2021 at 06:48
Okay so I only saw the trailer and thought wow, this looks awesome.
And then the show drops and it’s nothing like what people were expecting it to be about so they review bomb the internet while other defend the brave change the show is embracing. Were people deceived? Did Kevin Smith lie? Is Netflix with their apparently woke agenda to be blamed as people claim? Don’t know, don’t care.
My takeaway is this. The show is a bit bait and switch when compared to the trailer… maybe. I’ve read the synopsis of all 5 episodes and it sounds, well, boring when compared to the trailer. Like it blew it’s load in episode 1. But, there’s more episodes coming. So I’m gonna grab a beer and continue re-watching Sopranos while trying to finish Control (That Mold-1 fight was a bastard) till the other episodes drop and decide then whether it’s good or not.
Hell, they tried to save Star Wars after the Hindenburg that was The last Jedi came out because they knew they f***d up then, so why not here?
https://youtu.be/81wyj65SJIo
MonsterCheddar
July 26, 2021 at 09:14
Wouldn’t surprise me if a lot of people are benching it until more episodes come out.
R1ker
July 26, 2021 at 10:46
In all honesty I actually wished I waited till everything was out before watching. Ep1 Was awesome up until a point. The rest of the season Teela really started to get on my nerves but I really enjoyed the animation and voice acting. I really do not think they should have released this in 2 parts but all in one go. I really hope part 2 can redeem He-Man. Episode 1 had me at 8 years old again with the He-Man and Skeletor interaction and then it just stops.
Edit: PS sorry for being MIA the last few days. Covid caught up with me too
Hammersteyn
July 27, 2021 at 01:51
All the best man, stay strong 🍻
Mandalorian Jim
July 30, 2021 at 05:48
Ah no ways, dude, keep safe and all the best with fighting off the infection.
The one thing, I will say, and this is purely looking at the animation, it does look very pretty. But, sadly old man Jim, can’t be lured by just pretty little things any more. It has to have substance, and characters that doesn’t annoy me.
R1ker
July 30, 2021 at 05:53
Thanks Jim 🙂 – luckily I am all healed up now. I luckily did not had it as bad as some other people out there.
MonsterCheddar
July 26, 2021 at 05:00
If you need some nostalgia, where it comes to the action figures, click on the link.
Man, hit me right in dem feels.
Mandalorian Jim
July 30, 2021 at 06:22
Isn’t Mattel releasing a classic range? I wouldn’t mind getting a few.. for the.. cough.. kids…
Scott Lee Clayton
July 26, 2021 at 05:09
I like it when people take an old franchise and try to find a new angle on it or move the needle.
But what you don’t do is start at the new point and move out, you start with the familiar and then take
the fanbase on the journey to the new point. That way fans of the old content feel like they’ve taken the journey too and in turn feel invested & considered.
MonsterCheddar
July 26, 2021 at 05:26
Good…errr…point. I totally get what you are saying. Makes a lot of sense.
Scott Lee Clayton
July 26, 2021 at 05:29
I couldn’t think of another word but point ha… too early
Mandalorian Jim
July 30, 2021 at 06:05
I think it boils down to respect, respect for the source material, and then also an acknowledgement that you’re creating within an existing universe, with it’s own lore, rules, characters and interactions. When things are changed, like Teela suddenly having feelings for whatshername (the chick who used to be a redhead but is now a black chick), instead of for Adam, then you run into issues.
Why don’t you just create new characters? There’s nothing stopping Kevin Smith from using Teela and then creating a new set of characters to surround her, even if it means a new love interest, a completely different quest, maybe even resulting in Skeletor being redeemed, bringing in Hordrak to face off against his former student…. And then Skeletor being the villain that he is, returning to the dark side (hence not changing the general lore – but adding a new dimension to it).
Caharin Rahl
July 26, 2021 at 11:37
This article claims people will keep watching it no matter what. I can tell you right now, I certainly didn’t, and don’t plan to. The first episode was great, right up until (SPOILERS)
.
.
.
they killed off both He-Man and Skeletor, the two characters people most wanted to see. I watched the second episode only to see if they would be brought back, or if we would even get a hint of trying to bring them back. Nope. The creators of this show clearly do not want He-Man to be in it. The second episode was boring and unlikeable, and I have no interest in watching further. I’ve heard that he comes back at the end, but only to be killed (maybe?) again? Like, it’s painfully obvious that the showrunners just can’t stand having him be in the spotlight, and that’s what I came to see, especially when that’s how it was marketed. If that’s not what I’m going to get, it shouldn’t be unreasonable for me to be upset at the lies, and I’m certainly not going to keep watching.
Also, regarding Teela: as this article points out, she was already one of the more major characters in the original 80s show. I loved Teela as a kid; I thought she was smart and badass, especially without the super strength that He-Man had. Because of that, it felt even more jarring when they changed her to be the stereotypical “look she shaved her hair and hates everyone, that means she’s a strong female character, right?” Like, she was already a character that reflected well on women who want to be independent and strong. Why change that for someone that’s bitchy and unlikeable? The only answer I can think of is that they needed someone on screen to hate He-Man as much as they did, so that they could really let people know just how much they enjoyed screwing over the fans.
MonsterCheddar
July 27, 2021 at 02:16
“Why change that for someone that’s bitchy and unlikeable?”
Yes!!! I really struggled to like Teela. She annoyed me with the self centered chip on the shoulder bitchy attitude.
Strangely, for me, she wasn’t really on the forefront. Maybe because I sort of dismissed her attitude.
I loved Evil-Lyn.
Mandalorian Jim
July 30, 2021 at 05:46
lol, I love commenting on a show I haven’t watched nor have any intention to watch, but if I was a writer for the show, and I used the classic hero’s journey template, I would make her start of being an unlikeable, self-centred moron, but through adversity, a couple of failures, she becomes humbled and eventually heroic.
But then I remember what year I live in, and I realise that her character will remain the same all the way through, because for some reason, that is what Hollywood thinks people like.
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
July 27, 2021 at 05:09
“Why change that for someone that’s bitchy and unlikeable?”
To be relatable to the target audience.
bluesun
July 26, 2021 at 17:32
I have to say your article is pointless. You weren’t accurate about what went down with clownfish tv and it didn’t make it ok to say “I could be wrong” in regards to writing article. Clownfish tv reported on the rumors, that just so happened to be true, about the show a year and a half ago and Smith dragged their names through the mud even up to a few days before the release. They had nothing to do with leading a brigade to “review bombing”. If you aren’t willing to do the research on what you are writing about, then you are, without a doubt, part of the problem. Also, since when is leaving a negative review considered “review bombing”? People are allowed to not like things. Teela’s whole “journey” is she abandoned everyone she loved because no one told her the secret. It’s a He-man show with no he-man. It’s clear you are a schill if your tell people if they don’t like something they should just shut up about it and go away. I’m willing to bet you don’t tell anyone extreme left, when they complain characters are “too white”, like they so often do for “diversity”, to be quiet and just don’t watch it. Aside from that, you know people know your a hack when you spend the first third of the article qualifying your opinion.
MonsterCheddar
July 27, 2021 at 01:51
I think you might have missed the point of my article.
Its just an opinion piece. Yes, I was also disappointed with how it played out, but like I said, there are always two sides to every story, and you have to take them both into account.
“People are allowed to not like things.” I totally agree. But when you have a 90% or whatever rating by critics and only a 25% viewer rating, there is obviously something going on. But, again. Just my opinion.
“I’m willing to bet you don’t tell anyone extreme left, when they complain characters are “too white”, like they so often do for “diversity”, to be quiet and just don’t watch it. ”
Not at all. If you knew me better, you would know that I was banned from this site before the new owner took over, for exactly calling that type of thing out. I’m against any pandering. If you had read the article properly, you would have seen that.
“Aside from that, you know people know your a hack when you spend the first third of the article qualifying your opinion.”
I’m totally a hack yes. Because I’m not a journalist. I have an actual job. I’m just someone that wrote an opinion.
The first third of my article is about nostalgia. Nothing more nothing less. It doesn’t qualify anything. Just that I played with the toys and enjoyed the show as a kid.
I don’t follow twitter barneys, because Twitter is a cesspool of idiots yelling at each other for the most part, so yes. I didn’t follow the whole Clown Fish, Kevin Smith thing. I was upfront with not following it.
Its an opinion piece, dude. That’s all.
smr9
July 26, 2021 at 15:40
“I’m happy with the fact that the series isn’t just more of the same”
Actually it is more of the same. And everyone knew it would be.
“They are obviously trying something new and it might or might not work.”
Seriously? Now your just intentionally trying to sound dumb.
“He-Man and Skeletor will have their chance, going forward. There is no way you just get rid or completely side line them.”
There’s a little franchise called Star Wars, you should check it out sometime.”
MonsterCheddar
July 27, 2021 at 01:35
Its just an opinion. If your opinion differs, that’s cool.
Conan the Barbarian
July 26, 2021 at 16:24
Democracy / voting only works if people vote in their own best interests. If people don’t like a show, they should absolutely give it a bad review (after watching it).
People should review it for how much they enjoy it, not for how much they think some straw-person might enjoy it.
I do think giving a binary 10 or 0 review score is stupid, but that is sadly how the plethora of idiots on the internet do things.
Jamel Cooper
July 26, 2021 at 16:59
I want to hop in here and commend you on a well written and pretty well-measured take on all this drama over the last few weeks. I disagree with your framing of certain aspects of the fan complaints, but I appreciate your sincere and truthful representation of both sides of this issue.
bluesun
July 26, 2021 at 17:46
No it wasn’t. Is never ok for a “journalist” to say “I could be wrong” when not willing to do actual research then getting it wrong. Specifically regarding clownfish tv.
MonsterCheddar
July 27, 2021 at 01:33
I’m not a journalist at at all and nor do I claim to be.
I just gave my thoughts and opinion on the whole thing. And its really okay to not agree with me, I expected no less. It is after all just an opinion.
The actual review will be out later today and is also based on my opinion. Reviews are not necessarily right or wrong, just the authors take on it.
Mandalorian Jim
July 30, 2021 at 06:21
To the Cheese’s defence, he’s not a journalist, nor an entertainment critic, I think he’s made it clear on many occasions that he’s just a guy, who’s writing for a website. There’s no ego there.
He has no connections to the greater cabal of entertainment critics – presumably all sit in a google group and circle jerk, while listening to Bruno Mars (sorry Bruno Mars, but I was trying to think of some of the worst pop music out there, and your name instantly popped in my head).
MonsterCheddar
July 27, 2021 at 01:33
Thank you.
Kyoraki
July 26, 2021 at 21:26
If this was meant to be more “inclusive” for girls to enjoy, they did a piss poor job of it.
Make Teela the main character? Bold move but could have worked if written properly. But the writing was god awful. Teela is what middle aged soyboy dudes think girls are into. She’s got the body of a man, haircut of a butch lesbian, and the personality of an angry redditor. How is this supposed to appeal to girls?
Clownfish is 100% right. This fake geek chic needs to die. It appeals to nobody but the woke Californians who produce and review this tripe.
Joshua David
July 27, 2021 at 01:14
Dear Monster Cheddar,
Very nice unbiased review, thank you.
I also agree that this is only 5 episodes, some folks over reacting too soon. HeMan and Skeletor will be back and it’s just childish to think otherwise. Who knows, by the time they get back, Teela’s hair might have grown back. I was born in 77, was in K and 1st grade watching the 80’s filmation. I was fond of it then. I still have nice thoughts about it, but it is pure nostalgia. I’m 44 now and just a few weeks ago, i finished watching the 2002 show titled “Masters of the Universe” which ran for two seasons. I would like it to be common knowledge that not only does Revelations share the same title, many of the characters designs are strikingly similar; that being said, Revelations to me is the sequel to the 2002 Masters of the Universe animation series.
Just makes sense, the 2002 is called Masters of the Universe, and this one is called Masters of the Universe Revelation. Every thing lines up perfect with the stories portrayed in 2002 also without disregarding what happens in the 80’s Filmation. So the 80’s cartoon is just kind of filler space that takes place between 2002 and Revelations. One good example would be Star Wars Episodes 1&2 the phantom menace and attack of the clones. Both movies line up perfect with each other and you really don’t need to watch either of the Clone Wars animated series to understand what’s going on. So that’s how I see it, 2002 Masters of the Universe shows Adams very first transformation to HeMan. Kind of like Star Wars Episode 1, then Revelation is like Episode 2 Attack of the Clones. So the filmation show has a different title altogether called He-Man and The Masters of the Universe. This is what I would consider the Clone Wars. Space filler in-between the two normal shows. If you haven’t seen 2002, i would highly recommend it. Your gonna see exactly why Revelation is a sequel to it. If more folks would look at it from this point of view and consider giving the old show a watch, then more folks would surely be happy with it. Thanks for the good review again.
MonsterCheddar
July 27, 2021 at 01:28
This is not a review. The review will be out today.
Just my thoughts on the whole debacle.
But thank you for the positive feedback,
MonsterCheddar
July 27, 2021 at 02:02
I love the comments in this post. That’s what I wanted.
People to talk and disagree, debate, argue and voice their opinions.
DaveStar
July 27, 2021 at 04:04
Sigh, I hate the argument of “if you don’t like something just don’t watch it” so if something is good go ahead and leave a good review but If something is bad don’t leave a review and just don’t watch it? What kind of response is that. Btw you have to watch something first to determine if you like it so saying don’t watch it doesn’t work
MonsterCheddar
July 27, 2021 at 05:34
Very good point. But we have these days a culture that will condemn something without watching it, or just go with what the mainstream says.
And something might not even appeal to a person, so they would never even watch it, But they go slam it just because.
We live in strange times.
Mandalorian Jim
July 30, 2021 at 05:56
Yeah, I don’t like that argument either, but I also don’t like the argument “You haven’t even watched it, how can you have an opinion on it?”
I mean look at that new comic book “I am not Starfire” about the grumpy, overweight, faux-goth daughter of Starfire. I don’t need to read it, to know that it’s not going to be my thing, nor do I need to read it, to know that I don’t like it. Both are extremely reductive arguments- You can’t have an opinion on something because you haven’t read or watched it. Of course, you can have an opinion, that’s why trailers exist. You can definitely make up your mind about something from a trailer, the first episode or merely just reading an opinion piece about it.
Obviously, it would be better to actually slog through it and watch it – because then your arguments are a lot stronger and you can point out exact instances of why you don’t like it. But, just like when you meet someone for the first time, and those first 30 seconds either, leaves you liking them and wanting to chat to them more, or feeling repulsed and just wanting to get away from them, the same is true for entertainment.
Jack Torrance
July 27, 2021 at 10:18
I don’t even care that Smith is a lying corporate shill, or how “woke” it is or isn’t, or any of that external drama bullshit. It’s just not a good show, that’s all. It clearly wants very badly to be the next Castlevania, but Kevin Smith wrote it so it just comes off as cringey and childish, like everything else he touches. Both the jokes and the drama fall flat almost every time and the action scenes aren’t particularly memorable, so what else is there?
I’m not upset, because this is about what I expected going in, so none of this is a surprise. I am disappointed that so many people keep falling for lazy efforts like this that literally can’t be bothered to care beyond making nostalgia references, because that means that’s what we’re going to keep getting most of the time in these situations, because why even try when you have legions of fans willing to buy the figurative “Spaceballs – The Toilet Paper”?
Mandalorian Jim
July 30, 2021 at 06:17
I think Kevin Smith overestimated his own ability as a writer, his connection to the fandom and geek culture in general. But, when it was revealed that the guy wasn’t even a fan of He-Man and generally dismissed it as childish trash, I think that has hurt his reputation even more, because as I mentioned earlier, you have to respect the source material, acknowledge that there are fans that are knowledgeable about the lore, and if you make changes, you need to know that within that universe, there are certain rules that apply.
It’s what Chris Chibnall failed to realise when he destroyed Dr Who (and now Jodie Whitaker will be forever known (undeservedly) as the worst Doctor). Dr Who is a perfect case study of respecting the lore, respecting the fans, and if you make changes you need to make them for the betterment of the franchise. I think after Chibnall, Dr Who is in a worse state than it ever was, and whoever follows… good luck to them…
The same can be said for Star Trek. Discovery is a mess, because Kurtzman doesn’t respect the lore that Roddenberry created, nor that for many fans the ideals of Starfleet are real. So, to divert from it, is in itself a cardinal sin. It’s literally like walking into a church and taking a dump in the middle of it.
These modern myths have meaning, and not everyone is as damaged or egotistical as Kurtzman, Abrams, that round-headed buffoon Rian Johnson, Chris Chibnall (or seemingly Kevin Smith) to believe that their “artistic” vision of a franchise is more important than that of the original creator’s – or that circumventing the expectations of fans will be so shocking that it will draw in new fans, or just shake the fandom to its core.
Darrell Berrier
July 27, 2021 at 10:50
Seriously, the show was another WOKE go broke, The fact that Kevin continually lied
Christopher wood
July 27, 2021 at 11:39
I watched 4 of the 5 episodes. My guess orko bites it in episode4. Fine by me I never liked him anyway. I actually liked it, despite the first episode when teela was crying victim, nobody told her the truth. Boo hoo, poor teela.
Its nice to see that sometimes that good doesn’t always win or the price for their victories is very high. I agree with the writer of this article. People should have gotten a clue when the title is called masters of the universe, not he-man and the masters of the universe. Its definitely not the he-man we grew up with. Its puzzling that Skeletor had some how planned for all out comes and at the right moment was able to strike. Personally Kevin Smith should have been up front with the fans about his story, but he got the press he wanted, people are talking and watching it
obey
July 27, 2021 at 12:56
“I never understood why people do that. If you don’t like something, then just don’t watch it. Geez”
How can anyone not understand this?
quinnyw
July 27, 2021 at 19:05
I watched the tv show religiously as a child. It was my favorite show. I was confused at first about all the Teela, but it comes full circle at the end, which is only the 1st half of the season, I believe.
Letters to words..
July 27, 2021 at 21:25
I have somewhat of an issue when you state “well if you don’t like it don’t watch it”. So what’s the point of ratings or even review sites? The argument of “it’s for kids” or “it’s not for you” doesn’t hold up when you try and buy fans into watching a series or movie using an old property to draw them in. That I think is where people claim the bait and switch tactics.
For example today I saw the new Ghostbusters trailer and I am really excited. They changed the setting, age of characters and the lead character is a female. But they also pay faithful respects to the history of the movie and the fans at least from what I gathered between an interview with director and the trailer. There is nothing wrong with updating a classic and moving it into a new direction what most fans want is that respect is paid to the property and whoever is in charge acknowledges the old fan base. Otherwise why not just make a new property and go wherever they please ?
Mandalorian Jim
July 30, 2021 at 05:23
Eh! I think a couple of people have raised a number of good points regarding Kevin Smith’s “reboot”. I haven’t watched it, and I doubt I will. It’s not what I wanted as a He-Man fan, and it all just gives me flashbacks to the recent Star Wars debacle – and then Teela’s hairstyle from the trailer (which at this point has to be warning sign) potentially gave me PTSD; it’s like the mullet for women. When a female character has that shaved side with the long fringe, you know you’re entering a no-male zone.
Maybe, the first 5 episodes are not indicative of the whole series, and it ties everything together nicely, but I just don’t have any interest in it. When I read that this version of the Masters of the Universe will be getting a second part, it just annoys me that the excellent Jupiter’s Legacy won’t be getting a second season or volume.
But, then I remember I don’t have a Netflix subscription and I chuckle to myself.
By the way, if you really want to experience some fantastic He-Man action, read the He-Man comic from DC. It was published about 8 years ago. Just an amazing set of stories, and it showcases how awesome He-Man can be – rather than the childish depiction in the old 80s series (which obviously was meant for little kids and the sale of toys) and whatever Kevin Smith’s version is supposed to be.
Hammersteyn
July 30, 2021 at 09:30
The drama has been more entertaining than the show’s synopsis for me. Honestly, all Netflix achieved was provide ideas for content creators to make money off.