Masters of the Universe Review
I never grew up on the original He-Man and the Masters of the Universe shows, those came way before my time. I also didn’t watch the 1997 Dolph Lundgren film, which was a whole different thing entirely. The only media that acquainted me closely to that world was that one YouTube meme video that took the early 2000s internet by storm. Then, it was Netflix’s Masters of the Universe: Revelation and a bit of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power that really reeled me into the colorful chaos of this world. Now, with Travis Knight’s Masters of the Universe arriving, I’m happy to see that no matter what route this franchise is taken, it’ll always result in something that’s both entertaining and a little bittersweet.
Masters of the Universe follows Adam (Nicholas Galitzine), the prodigal prince of Eternia, after being trapped on Earth because of Skeletor’s (Jared Leto) invasion. He’s fit well, as well as an interstellar hero can be, in human society, but things change when he finds the lost Sword of Power. After finding the legendary weapon, Adam, with the help of Teela (Camila Mendes) and her father “Man-at-Arms” Duncan (Idris Elba), returns to Eternia to save his home from Skeletor’s ascension. However, he’ll also have to learn important lessons and show everyone he’s truly got the power.
Given how Knight closely handled Bumblebee as a fun family adventure, Knight treats Masters of the Universe as a grand quest that hits all the beats. The first act feels very Barbie-esque, where Adam gets sucked into our reality, but still retains that sense of wonder and hope. The opening scene alone, where Adam gets all expository about his earthly arrival, is written in a way that’s executed similarly to how that film had the reality transition, but it works. Although the first act is a little trudge, the transition into the second act quickly picks up the energy when Teela arrives to save Adam. However, it’s when Adam suits up as He-Man for the first time that really plays on the underdog element of this film.
Knight’s Masters of the Universe is essentially an underdog story where it’s not just manpower that one needs to stand tall, but also empathy and perseverance. The other heroes of Eternia, like Fisto (Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson) and Ram-Man (Jon Xue Zhang), don’t believe that Adam’s got what it takes, so Knight carefully builds Adam up to be the hero he is. However, he takes a unique route in showing that there needs to be a balance of physical strength and emotional understanding that makes a hero. His time venturing with Teela and Duncan exemplifies the former, especially when Adam is forced into a harsh ultimatum by Skeletor. However, the latter is written more comedically, which surprisingly works too. His time as a human resources employee created his openness for communicating with his allies and foes later on.
Teela and Duncan’s interactions with Adam are very different, but help round out his arc. While Teela is optimistic in Adam’s abilities, she views him as a longtime friend who’s still naive about his own skills. Although it does seem like Teela and Adam could be a thing, Knight makes it hilariously clear that they’re not romantically close. It does work for the benefit of the film, however, as their platonic appreciation adds a nice “heroic partner and trainer” charm to their dynamic. Mendes’ performance as Teela is good as she embodies her stoicisms quite well, but Elba’s drunken Duncan adds so much comedy to Knight’s take. Unlike his daughter, Duncan goes on a self-discovery journey of redemption of his own, trying to get back into the form that Adam once admired. His arc is very much in parallel to Adam’s and the familial chemistry that Elba and Mendes share is nice to see unravel.
That said, I did not expect to admire Jared Leto’s raspy, over-the-top Skeletor to work, but he surprisingly did. Leto gives an extremely intense vocal performance and the mix of practical elements with his CGI skull face makes him very intimidating. However, Knight and the writing team also allow him to have a bit of humor, like when he asks why none of his men are following his lead in laughing. Additionally, Skeletor’s sorceress, Evil-Lyn (Alison Brie), complements his dastardly, if deeply devious, personality as she often tries to play the straight man at times. Although it feels like, at certain moments, that she might turn on Skeletor because of how he threatens her, she’s persistently evil. Brie’s performance gives her a bit of devilish flair, but she’s also got a sense of rationality to her.
Furthermore, Masters of the Universe definitely has some nostalgic elements that fans will surely recognize. However, the way that Knight uses these little easter eggs and cameos is sparing, allowing the viewer a soft satisfaction. There are a few needle drops to some fitting Queen songs, Highlander references, and even that one YouTube video that pulled me into this series to begin with. The post-credits scenes also play on that nostalgic anticipatory setup while also being a bit “on the nose” with it. Plus, for those wondering who voices Cringer, Adam’s large green tiger, the actor they chose for him fit his noble pessimism. All in all, Knight’s take really comes together quite nicely.
Masters of the Universe lives up as a fantastic summer blockbuster thanks to Travis Knight’s steady direction, the ensemble cast’s great performances, and the high-flying, exciting action. This modern take feels refreshing and reverent to both the old films, animated shows, and mainstream culture as a whole. I’m very excited to see where they take this franchise next (though I might know where it’s already going!).
Rating: ★★★★☆
Masters of the Universe releases in theaters on June 5.
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Christopher Gallardo is a freelance entertainment writer and critic. While not running The Reel Roller, Chris can be found writing reviews and breakdowns on all things films and TV. Outside of entertainment writing, he’s currently taking classes for a Bachelor’s of Science with a minor in Digital Media & Journalism. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! Follow Christopher on Instagram & X.