He-Man doesn't promote masculinity, what it actually does promote is a modern hyper feminized version of what it thinks an acceptable man is
e.g. Adam teaches Man at Arms to get in touch with his feeling and cry, which he learnt from working at HR, It's "Modern Masculinty"
He-man, Masters of the Universe, is NOT woke!
It has race swaps but that’s it. Just like portraying a woman as a ditsy, sexualised, or a throwaway character isn’t inherently sexists - having a male character be a goof, a bum, or the butt of a joke isn’t inherently woke. What determines it is context and what is it promoting or undermining.
Prince Adam’s goofiness and weakness does not undermine his strength as He-man, It actually compliments it due to his conflict averse personality and incopentance at fighting and conflict.
Teela shows up Adam but He-man shows up Teela and she is completely outclassed by his power. Also, Prince Adam is SUPPOSED to be a goof, the only difference is that Adam was pretending in the original where he isn’t in this, because it’s his origin story and he’s learning how to become he-man.
Man-at-arms has a full redemption arc and reclaims his strength and heroism, DUE TO ADAM helping him and teaching him the same lesson he taught Adam in his youth. Duncan is a massive positive masculine father figure and correctly contextualises what it means to be a man as he says in the film:
“No rewards for trying”
“you win with muscle”
“poets don’t save people”
“This world is no place for the weak”
“When you fall it’s your chance to stand tall”
“I didn’t teach you to fight I taught you to protect”
“Protecting and saving your family is what a man does”
These are all sentiments shared by Man-at-arms which embody true masculinity and are reinforced by the film and Adam’s arch.
Adam’s masculine journey is the best which teaches the concept of reluctant violence and restrained violence and controlled power. That peace and avoiding conflict should be sought first, but when given no other option you unleash your full power and don’t show mercy to the unrepentant. It’s hardcore and awesome. And it teaches what true manhood and masculinity is.
This film is BRILLIANT!