It’s been almost 40 years since He-Man’s rippling abs last graced the big screen, and this reboot of the beloved Mattel toyline, which is equally as inspired by the likewise cherished ‘80s animated series and the now-cult 1987 feature film adaptation, has been a long time coming. Undergoing a lot of changes over its years in development, it is by the power of Grayskull that this new film has found its way to summer blockbuster season.
Masters of the Universe sees young Prince Adam thrust to Earth, as he has to flee his planet of Eternia due to the invading forces of Skeletor. Losing his sword of power and in turn his way back, he grows up on Earth, never forgetting his home and never giving up on a way to return. And when he finds the sword, he must assemble a team of old allies to reclaim Eternia from the clutches of evil and become the hero he was born to be.
This is the perfect He-Man film, and one we all could have never imagined getting; in fact, it’s a film some have waited a lifetime for, ever since playing with those toys as tikes. Director Travis Knight has warmly embraced the source material’s joys and delivered the kind of movie that Hollywood has slowly stopped making. A pure cinematic thrill, and this generation’s answer to Flash Gordon, only on an even grander scale, this is the most fun film you’ll see this summer.
The craft on display dazzles, with Eternia bouncing off the screen with explosive colour and imagination, and great special effects sitting comfortably alongside some wowing practical sets and costumes. All while Daniel Pemberton’s score (of the year) rocks the house with rousing guitar work, and some by the legendary Brian May, and even a sequence backed by Queen’s banger “Princes of the Universe”. What’s not to love?
It never takes itself too seriously, and yet it knows when to be serious, resulting in an ‘80s-style fantasy adventure romp, all-embracing of its own ridiculousness but never to the point of mockery. This affectionate film feels made by fans and for fans but also with an accessibility for a wider crowd not in the know, much like Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
It’s popcorn summer blockbuster entertainment with cult–classic–in–the–making sensibilities. From Battle Cat MGM logo roar to one particular stellar cameo, the nostalgia is powerful, cheeky and fun, but not all that drives the movie forward. Particularly effective is the film’s honest heart, and genuinely strong message of true strength and acceptance of self, one particularly perfect for young lads of today.
Nicholas Galitzine cuts a mighty charismatic figure as He-Man/Adam, with great supporting turns by Idris Elba as Man-At-Arms and Camila Mendes as Teela, among a subtly impressive cast of familiar faces and voices. However, while he is very much cinema marmite to many, the film is stolen by a nigh-on unrecognisable Bane-meets-Ian McKellen Shakespearean vocal tour-de-force by Jared Leto as Skeletor, in one of his greatest ever performances. His Skeletor has a strong claim to being the villain of 2026 on the big screen. Moustache-twirlingly evil, hilarious, scary and theatrically grand, he is an utter joy whenever on screen and reminiscent of a bygone age of show-stealing golden age villainy.
Go and see Masters of the Universe, folks! It kicks ass. No, seriously. This is the kind of gleeful summer fantasy that barely exists at all anymore. Action-packed, hilarious, poignant and with true heroic flair and villainous deliciousness. Not to mention a third act that resists being the atypical crash, bang, wallop fare in favour of something rather more interesting, thematically breaking down the idea of muscle-bound heroism in the climactic face-off. Oh, and stay for all the credits too!
Masters of the Universe is a colourful, hopeful blast from start to finish. This seriously has the power!
Masters of the Universe is out now in UK cinemas.
