When Eternia falls under attack by the evil Skeletor (Jared Leto), despair consumes the land. During the desperate flight for safety, a young Prince Adam (Artie Wilkinson-Hunt) is rushed away with the Sword of Power, only to crash-land on planet Earth. Separated from the sword during the chaos, Adam (now played as an adult by Nicholas Galitzine) grows up haunted by his lost past. He spends his days sketching vivid memories of Eternia and searching for his sword. Surrounded by skeptics who dismiss his stories as fantasies and stuck in a mundane HR desk job, Adam longs for the beauty and grandeur of his lost home. When he is finally reunited with the Sword of Power, a signal is sent to Skeletor and his minions, forcing Adam to embark on a journey to save the people and world he loves.
This reboot, which is the first feature film since the 1987 cult classic, is directed by Travis Knight (Kubo and the Two Strings, Bumblebee) and delivers the exact nostalgia and heart that He-Man and his band of eccentric warriors deserve. With a script by Chris Butler and Aaron Nee that throws all the right punches, punchlines, and pulls on the heartstrings, the “Saturday morning magic” is palpable.
Skeletor (Jared Leto) emerges from the shadows in Masters of the Universe.
As Prince Adam/He-Man, Nicholas Galitzine infuses the role with a genuine innocence and sincere strength. His performance masterfully pivots between raw emotion, comedy, and true leadership, proving he is the right choice for the job. Paired with Leto’s evil lord Skeletor, their combination delivers a one-two punch that truly brings these 80’s Filmation classic characters to life. Perfect for a film that does not take itself too seriously, Jared Leto as Skeletor brings the pompous, wisecracking skull-headed monster to life with true wickedness. Meanwhile, as a skilled warrior and prince, Adam’s childhood friend Teela, Camila Mendes, injects honor and loyalty for her father and the people of Eternia. As Duncan (Man-at-Arms), Idris Elba is a force to be reckoned with. His performance captures that elusive, high-stakes wonder of 80s genre classics, where the battle against evil feels monumental. Elba’s Man-at-Arms serves as Adam’s coach, always reminding him to stand up, reminiscent of Burgess Meredith’s iconic coach, Mickey Goldmill, in the titular 80’s Rocky franchise.
This is a “rock-em, sock-em” excellent time at the movies and a breath of fresh air compared to recent offerings. This film does not set out to make another tired political statement about toxic masculinity; instead, it leans into the original source material that fans adore. Rather than focus on confusing multi-verse narratives, the writers focus on the true definition of what it means to be a man, which includes compassion, kindness, and empathy, all while not diminishing the strength and beauty of its female characters. As Elba’s Duncan movingly emphasizes that although empathy is the greatest strength, there exists a profound, inevitable time for protecting the ones you love.
In a cinematic landscape that so often lacks the heart and fails to instill a sense of danger that makes an audience crave to see the heroes prevail, Masters of the Universe succeeds by the power of Grayskull. Fans of the mini-comics, 80’s Saturday morning cartoons, the Mattel toy line, and cinematic heroes such as Rocky Balboa, Daniel LaRusso, Luke Skywalker, and Marty McFly will find much to cheer for here. Even the soundtrack elevates the experience, featuring Rock & Roll hall of fame guitarist Brian May of Queen, a powerful hard-rocking theme by The Darkness, the epic Queen anthem ‘Princes of the Universe’, and a soaring score by Daniel Pemberton, Masters of the Universe is a thrilling ride featuring high-octane action sequences and performances fueled by an infectious, heroic heart that make the audience root for the “good guys” to emerge victorious. Travis Knight and team have successfully captured the magic of 80’s cinema with explosive energy, creating a film that will make you feel like a kid again, ready to shout, “I have the power.”
"…...successfully captured the magic of 80’s cinema with explosive energy..."
