Masters of the Universe brings 80s icon He-Man into the modern-day without sacrificing its world-building or iconography, blending spirited action-adventure with accurate commentary on positive masculinity.
For a generation of 80s kids Masters of the Universe was the be-all end-all of fantasy adventure animation. Every morning kids would be transported to the realm of Eternia where the forces of good (led by swole warrior He-Man) would battle against the forces of evil (led by the equally swole Skeletor) for the soul of Castle Grayskull. On top of it all there is a magical sword that can transform a humble weakling into a superhero.
Yet after the failure of the 1987 live-action film that starred Dolph Lundgren and Frank Langella (now a cult-classic), the Masters of the Universe just could not find its way back to the big screen with numerous attempts thwarted. Yet crack the Eternia code has director Travis Knight (Bumblebee) with Masters of the Universe circa 2026 a fun, energetic and fully self-aware slice of 80s retro made for modern times and sensibilities.
Masters of the Universe begins in the world of Eternia where young Prince Adam (Artie Wilkinson-Hunt) is poised to one day sit on the throne, if he can overcome his aloof nature. When the evil Skeletor (Jared Leto) and his army overthrow Eternia, Adam is whisked away by the enigmatic Sorceress (Morena Baccarin) to the world of Earth. Fifteen years later a now grown -yet nevertheless goofy - Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) finds his way home through the Sword of Power. Now back in Eternia that is in near ruin, Adam must find the strength to be the warrior his people need to defeat Skeletor and bring Eternia back to prominence.
Throughout this hero's journey there is a keen self-awareness of where Masters of the Universe comes from, and which elements made the original series such a beloved property. Knight - along with cinematographer Fabian Wagner (Overlord) and production designer Guy Hendrix Dyas (Inception) - goes all in on replicating the colourful world building of the Masters of the Universe brand that makes the screen pop with a retro glow, with the iconic He-Man transformation an especially fist-raising, foot stomping sequence that will have old-heads in tears and make new fans of their kids.
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Nicholas Galitzine brings an aloof yet sweet charm and captivating physicality as Adam and He-Man (respectively), as well as a stirring sense of drama to his portrayal of a lost-boy who has to learn how to be a mam. Jared Leto compliments with a fantastic portrayal of the maniacal Skeletor, delivering a turn both menacing and darkly comedic. Stealing scenes, though, is Idris Elba as Man-at-Arms, the general of Eternia's army who is undergoing his own journey of redemption.
Where Masters of the Universe might make some balk is in its choice of humour and daring to explore the theme of masculinity amongst a sword and sorcery film of warriors and brutes battling for the soul of a kingdom. Knight leans into the inherent ridiculousness of the Masters of the Universe world with the kind of deadpan absurdity and whimsical silliness seen in the likes of Thor: Ragnarok and Dungeons and Dragons: Honour Among Thieves.
This is countered with a surprisingly thought-provoking exploration of what it is to be a He-Man - leader, warrior, protector - while possessing the powers of a god. A great moment between Adam and Man-at-Arms where the new school sensitivity of the former and the old school ruggedness of the latter meet a middle ground is (dare it be said) an important message for young boys watching, proving that under the hulking chest of a man-god should beat a heart of conviction, purpose, humility, self-belief and (perhaps most important) the power to know when to be vulnerable and when to be valiant.
