Fans of the 80s cartoon will feel nostalgic watching the new Masters of the Universe movie. Director Travis Knight stays true to the spirit of the series, delivering camp along with a classic rock soundtrack by Brian May. The throwback feel, combined with some modern upgrades, results in a fun, nostalgic trip to the movies.
A young Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) is sent to Earth with the Power Sword to escape the clutches of Skeletor (Jared Leto). When he returns, he must summon the power of Grayskull to restore Eternia to its former glory.
The film stars Galitzine as Adam/He-Man, Camila Mendes as Teela, Idris Elba, Alison Brie, Morena Baccarin, and Jared Leto voices Skeletor.
Mattel’s popular toy line initially featured He-Man as a barbarian in Eternia. The 80s cartoon by Filmation introduced Prince Adam as the warrior’s alter ego, expanded the mythology, and created his signature catchphrase: “By the power of Grayskull, I have the power.”
The Characters
Under Knight, the filmmaker taps into the cartoon’s nostalgia while changing up the narrative. Prince Adam no longer has a true alter ego; instead, he is expected to inherit the sword, but the bumbling prince must earn the right to wield it.
Like the cartoon version, Nicholas Galitzine’s Prince Adam and He-Man are empathetic characters who avoid violence until necessary. The actor brings charisma and vulnerability to both Adam and He-Man, along with a chiseled physique. The first transformation and catchphrase definitely deliver goosebumps.
Camila Mendes brings warrior skills to Teela without relying on powers. Mendes steals He-Man’s thunder early in the film.
Idris Elba provides much of the comedic relief alongside Roboto. Alison Brie’s Evil-Lyn doesn’t quite live up to her character’s clever name, and Morena Baccarin doesn’t get enough screen time as The Sorceress.
Jared Leto’s Skeletor is campy and fun, much like the cartoon version. The menacing villain goes fully over-the-top, cackling in his usual manner. The most memorable scene occurs near the end when He-Man appeals to Skeletor’s inner trauma in an attempt to explain his evil ways. Skeletor’s response is hilarious, cementing his status as a true antagonist.
The latest Hollywood trend has been to humanize villains and give antagonists sympathetic motivations for their treacherous ways. Maybe audiences simply want villains who are bad to the bone. Skeletor’s response reflects that recent shift.
The Action
The action also feels like a throwback to old-school stunt work. Before Adam’s transformation, the stunts are fairly basic. It’s not until Adam takes up the sword’s power that the magic happens. He-Man elevates the action into full fantasy spectacle. While most of the sets are practical, the backgrounds rely heavily on CGI. At times, the action scenes have a video game quality, but they still look cool.
The Soundtrack
Queen guitarist Brian May provides a rockin’ soundtrack that perfectly fits the film’s nostalgic vibe, with heavy guitar riffs that enhance the old-school fantasy feel.
Audience
Masters of the Universe establishes He-Man’s origin story; however, some familiarity with the cartoon helps in understanding the mythology and the relationships between the underdeveloped supporting characters.
End Credits
Stay through the two post-credit scenes, which tease future sequels and introduce a fan favorite.
