She-Ra and the Princesses of Power

Name: She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
Item: She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
Rating: 4
Author: Emily Ashby

TV review by

Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power TV Poster Image

Parents recommendPopular with kids

Common Sense says

age 8+

(i)

Likable '80s reboot features strong female heroine.

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Parents say

age 7+

Based on 31 reviews

Kids say

age 7+

Based on 89 reviews

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The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

Educational Value

Series intends to entertain rather than to educate, but it does show characters fighting for justice and fairness even when it puts them in harm's way.

Positive Messages

Good and evil are clearly distinguished, and most of the characters' intentions are obvious. Shadow Weaver and the Horde control by force, but also by manipulation and lies. When She-Ra learns the truth, however, she chooses the side of honesty and fairness over that of power, despite the danger it causes her and the friends it costs.

Positive Role Models & Representations

She-Ra willingly departs from her past and the only reality she's ever known to fight for the oppressed. Doing so pits her against old friends for the sake of new ones. She embraces a new destiny and steps up to the challenges it poses for her, and her new compatriots help her find her way. Villains will stop at nothing to achieve power.

Violence & Scariness

Battle scenes feature explosions and machines that fire laser blasts at people. Giant insects and other creatures threaten communities. Characters face perilous situations against enemies. Weapons ensnare victims with ropes, other traps.

Sexy Stuff

On a happy note, She-Ra's modern outfit is far less revealing than her strapless '80s unitard was.

Language

Occasionally "stupid" is used as an insult, as when a character tells another that she "looks stupid."

Consumerism

The series is a reboot of the '80s cartoon She-Ra: Princess of Power.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that She-Ra and the Princesses of Power revamps the titular character first introduced to viewers in the '80s series She-Ra: Princess of Power. The story has lots of images of girl power, from She-Ra herself to her many strong female compatriots. Women really do dominate on both sides of the good/evil divide, and She-Ra and her Etherian friends model courage, determination, and adherence to a strong sense of justice. While the Horde soldiers are inspired by power and driven by manipulation, She-Ra and her friends fight for peace. Expect battle scenes that show unarmed characters being hurt by explosions or laser blasts, suggesting that some are killed.

User Reviews

Parents say
Kids say

Adult Written byKrissaK May 16, 2020

age 3+

Perfect Family Series!!!

My wife, my 5 and 3 year old daughters and I, LOVE this show!!! The characters are deep and real. Actions and thoughts bear consequences. Hate is seen as destru... Continue reading

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Adult Written byTessa C June 19, 2020

age 7+

My Favorite Show Right Now!

I'm not a parent of a kid I just genuinely love this show (I am nineteen). I'm a huge fan. Everything about this show is great. It's like Star Wa... Continue reading

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Kid, 11 years old July 17, 2019

age 7+

This show is what society needs.

Honestly, this show is teaching kids to be open-minded and themselves. This show is so diverse, a wide variety of sexualities, races, and genders. If you want y... Continue reading

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Teen, 14 years old Written bySherastan April 18, 2019

age 5+

Ok we have to stan, prolly the best show I’ve seen in a minute, It has great LGBT+ And POC representation, the main protagonists have different skin tones and b... Continue reading

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What's the story?

SHE-RA AND THE PRINCESSES OF POWER opens as Adora (voiced by Aimee Carrero) and her best friend, Catra (AJ Michalka), prepare for their first opportunity at real battle experience after spending most of their life training for the Horde's retaliation against a local insurgence. But a chance encounter with rebels Glimmer (Karen Fukuhara) and Bow (Marcus Scribner) leads Adora to a magical sword that reveals her true identity as She-Ra, a lost princess and the only hope for the planet Etheria's freedom from the Evil Horde. Faced with a difficult choice between the life she's always known and the destiny that awaits her, Adora joins the rebellion to fight against Catra and the rest of the Horde's army to free Etheria from its grasp.

Is it any good?

The female heroine of '80s cartoons makes a comeback in this reboot, bringing her story of personal destiny and the good fight to a new generation of viewers. Here she is untethered to a male origin story, as there's no mention of her legendary twin brother, Adam/He-Man, leaving Adora alone in the spotlight. Much as she doesn't want to be the heroine Etherians believe her to be, she steps up to the role for the sake of justice and embraces the duties of her new purpose.

Adora is an excellent female role model, thanks to her courage and physical strength and her impressive problem-solving and leadership skills. Her willingness to reconsider her own beliefs when faced with new truths and to stand up to her friends' pressure bodes well for what kids will take away from She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. As the Etherians fight for honesty and freedom in the face of danger, they remind viewers that some things are worth big sacrifices.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about what makes a character a hero. Are all TV heroes good all the time? If not, how does seeing their frailty influence your admiration of them? Does She-Ra have any shortcomings? In what ways does she work on them?
How does it feel to be forced to choose between your friends and what you know to be right? Have you ever made a decision like this that you have regretted? How do people use peer pressure to manipulate others?
What instances of integrity and honesty do you see in this series? How does She-Ra respond to difficult circumstances? Does her ability to do so make her a leader you would like to follow?