Film Review – Masters of the Universe (2026)

      Masters of the Universe, 2026.

      Directed by Travis Knight.

      Featuring Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Alison Brie, James Purefoy, Morena Baccarin, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Kristen Wiig, Jared Leto, Idris Elba, Sam C. Wilson, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, Kojo Attah, Charlotte Riley, Dolph Lundgren, Sasheer Zamata, Jon Xue Zhang, Christian Vunipola, Arun Bassi, Artie Wilkinson-Hunt, Eire Farrell, Christiaan Bettridge, James Wilkinson, Hung Dante Dong, James Apps, Max Kraus, Kelly Coughlin, Elena Rivers, Stephen Adentan, Delilah O’Riordan, Christopher Ragland, Gary Martin, Fletcher Glenn, and Tom Wilton.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A young man on Earth uncovers a remarkable secret legacy as the prince of an alien world and must reclaim a magical sword to return home and protect his kingdom.

      Whether working in animation or live-action adaptations of popular toys, director Travis Knight seems to recognize that these projects require a careful balance between genuine love for the source material (be it characters or storylines from other adaptations like cartoons), a humorous acknowledgment that the premise is outlandish and should not be taken seriously, emotional depth, and a dedication to creating real sets (designed by Guy Hendrix Dyas) while employing practical effects, costumes, and makeup in a cinematic landscape that often resorts to excessive CGI and green screen, diluting the impact of the spectacle. To put it plainly, Masters of the Universe is a refreshing experience; a true "they don't make them like this anymore" popcorn movie, even with its clear flaws.

      A prime example of this tonal balance can be seen in Jared Leto’s portrayal of the skull-faced Skeletor, effectively the nemesis of Adam Glenn/He-Man. He comes across as menacing with his ghoulish voice and villainous actions, while the filmmakers (with a screenplay by Chris Butler, Aaron Nee, Adam Nee, and David Callaham, and story credits to Michael Finch and Alex Litvak) cleverly manipulate this characterization, alternating between fearsome and comically pathetic.

      The filmmaking team also wisely avoids the temptation to delve too deeply into the narrative or its antagonist; in some cases, a villain is simply a villain, and a character with a skull for a face lacks any complex motives for seeking to dominate a fantastical realm. There are also humorous moments featuring his right-hand evil sorceress, Evil-Lyn (Alison Brie), who seems enamored by his cruelty while unintentionally fumbling her attempts to promote his wicked reputation. They not only complement each other in oscillating between the formidable and the foolish, but they also align with the film’s wildly varying tone which generally knows when to ease the tension before it becomes too dark or intense.

      A clever element is the flashback prologue that unfolds on the fantasy planet Eternia when ten-year-old Prince Adam (Artie Wilkinson-Hunt) is depicted as a weakling incapable of learning to defend himself despite extensive training from Royal Army General Duncan (Idris Elba) and a desire to win his father, King Randor’s (James Purefoy) approval. This prologue portrays the decline of the realm and its fall into Skeletor’s hands, primarily played for drama, which allows for emotional investment. It skillfully pulls back the curtain at the right moment to humorously reveal that, 15 years later on Earth, Adam (now portrayed by Nicholas Galitzine) recounts this story of his home world to a date who is understandably unnerved and eager to leave.

      Now working in human resources, Adam excels at his job and is a good listener, believing that most conflicts can be resolved through conversation (which he attempts with Skeletor, as part of the film is about knowing when to fight and when not to), though it doesn't stop him from desperately posting online for the Sword of Power, which ended up on Earth before Skeletor could use it. Fortunately, little of the film actually unfolds on Earth, as Adam is guided toward the sword, leading him to reconnect with his childhood crush, Teela (Camila Mendes in the present day and Eire Farrell in the prologue), and journey back to Eternia for more reunions and a battle over the fate of the world against Skeletor and his forces.

      This whimsically absurd storyline teaches Adam that simply wielding the Sword of Power (which also outfits him in the classic He-Man costume) does not make one a hero capable of saving a kingdom or winning a hidden love, even if it enhances his abilities. He is granted a fantasy fulfillment arc to a life that everyone on Earth perceives as extraordinary (despite his ordinary existence there), emphasizing that how one uses the granted power is far more