The New Adventures of He-Man

It's funny from how big the "He-Man" franchise has became there have been some camps, from those that really love the original series, She-Ra, and even the 2000 revival. And then of course you've got some of those trolls out there that really love this show.

This is another under the radar gem that despite being part of the franchise has became forgotten. It's kinda understandable why most fans of "He-Man" were slightly put off or even confused by this entry. But this show took place at a time before sequels had rules, they wanted to revive the franchise so they decided to do something different by putting him in space and the future, which I personally thought was a cool idea.

Like any sequel this show indeed had a different feel, some things were the same but also different at the same time. In the original adventures they were planetary based, where in the new "He-Man" we actually see both "He-Man" and "Skelator" on interplanetary adventures which is cool because it really broaden the universe of the franchise showing that there really are more fantastic things going on other than in Eternia. It just really made me fascinating I remember always wondering where else both will go and what we'll see next. This also has a more lighter tone making the show a bit lighthearted, where in the original that also was but there was also a more seriousness to it.

The animation I think is very good which I thought was really cool for it's time; obviously slightly inspired by Japanese Animation as there was a bit more flow and movement with the characters, as well as the detail in background and characters themselves.

I really like the action which I thought in proves on the original because there more motion and a bit more going on. From some of the vechilar and aerial assault action we actually got a lot more of that, even like the designs of the vehicles from both sides where are unique especially the rollers that the mutants ride which are prolific on those standing up motor scooters we now have. Though those vehicles are a bit daft because they don't exactly have the greatest protection as you can easily shoot the driver.

We even see some shootouts which was cool though I wish that both sides got to use their specialized weapons a bit more which is one weak point for the show. And best of all see both He-Man and Skelator use their weapons a lot more, with He-Man's sword they added something to it by actually giving it some magical abilities.

I do like the new ensemble characters and the dynamics formed their solid if not as good as the original ensemble. That is also probably what put some people off because their not the same as in the old, but this is a sequel after all so you can't expect the same thing. The Galactic Guardians their pretty solid/decent I kinda felt they should of been fleshed out a bit more so they'd stand out better but they serve their functions all the same.

Though I think it's the mutants that are the most colorful. I really like Flogg whom despite being in command of an army he's a moron, unable to tell he's being manipulated by Skelator or being duped if it bit him in the butt. Along with his subordinate villain Slushhead whom is true to his name as is probably more moronic than him. Critta I really like how devious and smart she is as well as sexy with that voice despite raspy which I didn't mind and other outfit she wore latter in the series.

And of course He-Man and Skelator. He-Man was still well He-Man but at last he was doing things, he was kicking butt as usual. Skelator though I feel he lacked his menace in this show which is another weak point for the show. But that is a small quibble as is still himself, the voice was good kinda almost sounds a bit like Jack Nickelson. Instead of being a direct leader he's more of a leader behind the scenes. Here we see more of a con artist side to Skelator as he is manipulating and scheming his way to conquest. Which I though was interesting because sometimes people behind the scenes have more power and control than actors of the play.

The music is decent, the theme song is pretty good as it has that futuristic epic tone to it. Though I wouldn't say it makes it on my list of favorite themes, the original theme is still the best.

Yeah the show isn't perfect some bits of humor are kinda lame but that's commonplace in comedy it's always a hit or miss affair. I also would've liked to of had some of the old characters come back (not all that would be too crowded) which I felt would of boosted the series up more just to show that He-Man and Skelator aren't totally out of touch with Eternia, but most importantly help the new dynamics gel better.

I wouldn't mind if they ever made another "He-Man" revival series that they revive this series as well but probably as the form of a season, broaden the mythos even more by having more depth on the characters and the planets they come from, a little more insight into the war and how it's affected both sides and also lets have a few more characters from the original series come to the future with He-Man and Skelator; it's just a thought.

Yeah this series doesn't surpass the original in my book, but it's a solid sequel all the same that I think for fans of the franchise it's at least worth a look or at least when your in the right mood.

Rating: 3 stars

Taking place 10,000 years into the future. The planet of Primus(Eternia) is under attack by Floog and his mutants of moon Nordor. In order to stop the attacks, the great minds of Primus built a time machince to find a legend, the power of the good and the way of the magic. Such a being is He-Man, the most powerful man in the universe. He-Man didn't come to the future alone, Skeletor , the evil lord of destruction followed He-Man to the future. So as the story goes on He-Man joined the Galactic Gaurdians, and Skeletor joined the mutants. Thus beginning the New Adventures series. It was a good series, Mattel tried, but it was not a good time. The only thing good about the series was the transformation sequence. later

Deplorable. Ridiculous. Not even sub-standard fun. The anime style is annoying. The queen of Eternia has blue hair? Why is Prince Adam dressed like a shepherd? And as Prince Adam- the voice is SO gay. The lisps are unmistakable. No, being gay is not the problem. I'm gay but prefer Prince Adam/He-Man to be masculine, bold and strong. He is suppose to be the almighty defender after all. And Skeletor- yelch. NOT scary, not frightening. Why is his face green? And why did they have to change the chant that turns Adam into He-Man? "By the power of Eternia"? Um...it's "By the power of Grayskull" people!! You cannot make a Batman movie or cartoon and take him out of Gotham. Superman will always be in Metropolis. You CANNOT go changing a characters legacy just because you want to. BAD producers.

Other reviews on the net have said the show can stand on its own. Um...NO it cannot. It's a pathetic attempt to breath new life into a classic story that was in no need of CPR. Guess the old saying is true- if it ain't broke, don't fix it. For me this will be like the film Halloween 3. I will forget it ever happened.

BAD producers!!! Shame!!!

The new adventures of He-man was a better sequel to the original series then She-Ra, which was done purely for commerce. This independent sequel was done as television art and entertainment that puts the final seal on the He-man legacy, as opposed to the banal 2002 revival when the era of He-man was long over. The series has its good points and its bad points which I will explain along with my final conclusion.

The Good

The story lines lines in the original were excellent but told with simplicity this series avoids that naive approach and makes the story lines more mature and complicated within the same child orientated theme without being wooden.

The character of Adam is mature and one that is realistic as a young prince rather then a young imbecile and is better represented in appearance though the long hair from the original is better both for the prince and his alter ego He-man.

The new allies of He-man are also better represented both as animation and as characters. The annoying pet Tiger and Orko from the series is gone reinforcing these strengths and better themes. He-man has more abilities with his sword similar to Lion O on Thundercats with his original strengths of speed and strength replacing Battlecat with something better.

The animation and image of the characters is also a much better improvement compared to the Filmation version. There is a space and science fiction element to it not just the fantasy and magical version of the original - This is what Thundercats got right as opposed to the original He-man.

The Bad

Unlike He-man and his alter ego Skeletor in the original series was better both as a character and the way he was represented especially his mannerisms, appearance and voice this Skeletor has no charm.

Besides Skeletor the mutants are just as bland and unlike his original Horde who had charm and appeal.

The adventures are set in the future this makes the source material somewhat irrelevant and strays from the original source to which the sequel should off stuck too. The music is also bland that with the opening sequence though looks good does not captivate the audience as a result.

In short a noble series and one that makes up for the weaknesses of the original and its excess sequels but however lacks its charm but thankfully lasted for 1 season and He-man ended for a long time.

The New Adventures of He-Man is not the best of anything to do with He-Man but I didn't think it deplorable either. I watched the series with intrepidation because I remembered disliking it as a child, but as an adult while there are flaws it is not as bad as I remembered. The pilot episode was on the uninspired side and the animation quality is uneven, a lot of the time it is colourful and unique but there are also times where the character designs are jerky and the backgrounds lack life. However, the music is catchy and cool, the action sequences are choreographed well and compel you at least and the transformation sequence was the one I remembered always really liking and that is still the case here. The writing does have some stilted moments but is often funny, intelligent and with a sense of conflict, the story-lines are thought out well and interesting and the characters whether heroes or villains are engaging. The voice acting is very good. All in all, The New Adventures of He-Man is not bad, better than I remembered. It will never be one of my favourite shows but compared to some of the awful animated shows of the past decade or so it is deserving of a better reputation. 7/10 Bethany Cox