I didn’t grow up with He-Man, but I was lucky enough to watch a few episodes and explore some of the lore. But does the film do the nostalgia justice?
I honestly really enjoyed Masters of the Universe. I think it’s the perfect mixture of a modern blockbuster and some 80s flair. It feels like something straight out of a cartoon, while still managing to feel larger than life at times. It balances the campiness with some really cool action set pieces.
It’s not all good, however. I feel like the movie tries too hard to push certain messages down our throats, while at the same time doing the opposite of what it preaches. I also think the dialogue is a little clunky at points. I get that they’re trying to keep that 80s charm, but it doesn’t always work. Some of the visual effects also feel cheap and completely pull you out of the immersive experience.
Like I said, I don’t have that nostalgic connection to the He-Man lore, but I do love that the film embraced its roots. A lot of people in my theatre were clapping and cheering, and honestly, that’s what nostalgia should be. Everything this film does right, it does in a way that makes me appreciate it even more.
I’m probably going to get hate for this, but I actually love Jared Leto as Skeletor. He’s probably the best part of the movie. His overacting and campiness really make the character stand out. That said, I love the whole cast. Nicholas Galitzine is fantastic as Adam Glenn and He-Man, bringing a strong duality to the role. I also think Idris Elba and Camila Mendes crushed it as Man-At-Arms and Teela.
The film looks amazing for the most part. The world of Eternia looks great on the big screen, and I think the character designs are awesome. The costumes look like they were pulled straight from the cartoon, while the special effects in the bigger scenes are impressive. There were times when the green screen and CGI looked cheap, but I guess that happens with most big movies these days.
Another thing I absolutely adored about the movie was the score and soundtrack. They really leaned into the 80s nostalgia, and even the score feels like it came straight out of that decade. I even found myself singing along to some of the songs.
One thing that’s evident throughout the movie is director Travis Knight’s love for Masters of the Universe and its characters. He found a way to make them feel like they did in the original series while still making them believable in a live-action world. I applaud most of his directorial choices, but I wish the writers had given him a stronger story to work with.
All that said, I don’t think Masters of the Universe will be the biggest movie of the year, but it’s certainly a fun one. There’s a lot I could point out that didn’t work for me, but art is subjective, and other people might end up loving those same elements. I do think He-Man fans might be divided, but I suspect most of them will end up liking it.
I feel confident recommending this film, especially if you’re looking to watch something purely for entertainment. I know I haven’t said much about the plot, but that’s simply because I don’t want to spoil anything. I will say that you should stick around through the credits, as there are three post-credit scenes.
I’m giving He-Man and the Masters of the Universe 3.5 out of 5 stars.
