This is a very difficult show to review without giving away spoilers because the story is simple yet very effective. Each episode continues from the last episode and there is an obvious story-arc and every episode has something happen which reveals a bit more of what is going on and how it affects the characters, but one thing I will say, episode 4 is the most Donald Glover's Atlanta series episode I have ever seen Marvel do and it is great!
Episode 3
The third episode starts with a flashback of Simon being checked over by a doctor due to an accident which happened at home. At present, the DODC are trying to meet quotas and the agent we have seen before wants more/better evidence of Simon and his abilities to finally arrest him and suggests Trevor to find his way to Simon's family's house and gather information only to learn more and more about Simon as a person.
Episode 4
In the last episode Simon mentions DeMarr "Doorman" Davies and should anyone find out about his abilities, he will not be able to act, however, this episode centres entirely on DeMarr and leads to why Simon would not ever be able to act again should Hollywood find out that Simon Williams has special abilities. Without going into too much, a shady company operating in the background in the entirety of the MCU (it would seem) is the reason behind it all, with that said, although that is a very minor thing, the episode addresses what happens to an actor who suddenly gets famous, the trajectory and all the, fame, fortune and heights an actor can sour to as well as the repercussions.
I never knew anything about Wonder Man before this show came out. I initally thought, Wonder Woman, now a Wonder Man, I wonder if he has a 'W' on his chest, and he does. I only knew he had powers and that he is or used to be an actor, other than that, nothing, so seeing the trailer did not do much to help me understand the character and I was intrigued as to how it would all go. But as soon as it started and the first 10mins went by, I thought to myself, I might actually like this.
Episode 1
So, we are introduced to Simon Williams as a boy watching a movie called 'Wonder Man' with (we assume) his father. We jump to present day and Simon is making notes for his role in a show, only to later find out that a top Hollywood Director wants to do a movie Simon loves, and auditions are taking place that day. Simon does everything he can to make it to the audition hoping to get the part and meets another actor who becomes his acting partner there. In a nutshell, that is the first episode. There are some funny bits, hints of Simon having abilities as well as showing us, the type of person he is when it comes to acting. The episode is layered.
Episode 2
The second episode starts with a flashback which catches us up to a specific character so we have an understanding of where we are in the MCU. Simon and his acting partner meet up, but Simon has been tasked to get an audition in, but is having trouble trying to find somewhere to focus and record his audition tape which leads to Simon going to the home of a famous actor. But when things do not work out leading them both back to Simon's place, his acting partner discovers evidence of Simon's secret. Another layer episode with humorous parts, but the show is not a comedy. The shows gives great insight to being an actor in L.A, the types of characters you meet and the things you have to do. This episode on top of the first episode, gives us more insight to who Simon is and his pressures, his control, and his dreams.
So it looks like the story will focus on Prince Adam being sent to earth to protect him from the evil Skeletor, but his friends find him to bring him back to Eternia to save the two worlds (speculation), because the trailer starts with Prince Adam explaining that the stories and legends you hear in bedtime stories involving talking tigers, spaceships and magic swords, is where he comes from. You hear him ask his mother (I assume) why he was sent away, in which we learn, was to keep him safe where they would never find him. We learn he is looking for his sword and it looks like he finds it in a comic book or figurine collectibles store of sorts, and tries to take it,. The next audio shot is of Prince Adam in a spaceship being flown away, by a friend of his to Eternia, giving a very Captain America in Endgame (or was it infinity war) first time traveling into space for the first time. Up until this point, we see a colourful bird, that looks familiar (wasn't there a woman who could turn into a bird?), Castle Greyskull, spaceships, He-Man's Sword, He-Man's mother, an army of men in armour, a "sword in stone" moment and the moment when the trailer (for me anyway), starts to get great! A ship comes in, the "cargo bay" door opens and it's Man-At-Arms, Cringer, Prince Adam, maybe Teela and some robot or guy in a suit i cannot remember the names just yet, but the shot is great. This is then followed by some shots of some flying crafts, Man-At-Arms without his uniform with a big gun, a slow-mo walk and Prince Adam asking, "What am I supposed to do?" with shots of Skeletor and Fist-O sending a man flying with a single punch. A quick shot of Evil-Lynn fighting, Cringer growling and an awesome shot of Man-At-Arms jumping with his jetpack, Thor Ragnarok Style on the rainbow bridge to a spaceship to take it down and the moment we are all waiting for, the "I have the power" where Prince Adam yells that out whilst holding the magical sword and turns into He-Man and starts wrecking shop. Even the yell in front of the castle is cartoon accurate. Then a short battle with Sleletor at the end seals the deal. This is just a teaser trailer and a proper trailer will arrive in maybe 2-3 months from now but until then...this is a great trailer and it looks promising should they stick the landing. The characters and character design is absolutely stella. Idris Elba ( although I am not a fan of Race/Gender-bending), he looks absolutely phenomenal. Id be really interested to know if we get all the weird and wonderful and quirky characters from the cartoon because there is a lot AND a lot of their are very wild and out there. And if I am honest, the cartoon boredlined homo-erotic and had the wildest tone to it, just like a lot of the cartoons from the late 70s and early 80s. We do remember our favourites however we remember them that isn't always accurate to the real thing, you know? The special effects look slightly under developed in places, but other than that, I just wonder if, Jared Leto is going to go full Skeletor or simply look the part. From 40 years old, maybe even 35, to possibly 60 years old, He-Man was that cartoon for all the boys growing up. Even She-Ra to an extent, so it would be a wonder if they bring her in in some way, but this looks awesome and I cannot wait!
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