‘Masters of the Universe’ Movie Review – Is It Worth Watching?

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is a beloved animated series derived from the Conan mythos. It follows the adventures of Prince Adam, a young man who transforms into the near-invincible He-Man with the help of a magical sword granted by the Sorceress. Together with his allies, he defends the realm of Eternia against invading forces under the watchful eye of Skeletor. The original story centred on classic good-versus-evil dynamics as a magical kingdom turned into a perpetual battlefield.

Now, decades and several adaptations later, we have a new live-action feature titled Masters of the Universe. Arriving years after Dolph Lundgren’s 1987 turn as the hero and a string of animated reboots, it’s clear that fan appetite remains strong.

Masters of the Universe arrives at an intriguing cultural moment. As modern conversations around masculinity and the ‘manosphere’ continue to evolve, the thematic subtext of Prince Adam and his heroic alter ego takes on a fresh significance. While the film uses these ideas as a background contrast rather than a deep social commentary, it provides a solid foundation for a hero whose power fantasy feels delightfully unique today.

Taking creative licence with the lore, the narrative sends a young Adam to Earth, where he must locate his sword to return home. Following a The NeverEnding Story-style leap, he recovers his hazy memories, embraces his true destiny and returns to Eternia. Reuniting with his childhood friend Teela and her father, Man-At-Arms, he finds his homeworld in desperate need of a saviour.

Directed by Travis Knight (Kubo and the Two Strings), the film is vivid, entertaining and consistently light-hearted. Reviving He-Man in the post-Batman Begins era is a delicate balancing act. Audiences accustomed to Christopher Nolan’s gritty realism might expect a darker, more substantial Conan-style origin story – a cinematic rendition weaving a heavier, more epic narrative.

However, taking a step back, the original animated series was primarily designed to sell toys rather than deliver gritty drama. Beyond the peril and action, its most meaningful feature was the moral life lesson tagged onto the end of each episode. At its core, the original franchise was a light, power-fantasy formula crafted for children. Expecting a brooding, overly complex reinvention ignores the DNA of the source material.

“No He-Man, you do not have the power.”

To his credit, Knight captures the true spirit of the original cartoon. The film leans into simple, unpretentious fun, making the core rivalry between the heroes and Skeletor’s forces the heart of the narrative.

While the classic character designs made sense for 1980s action figures, fitting them into today’s superhero-saturated pop culture landscape presents challenges. Masters of the Universe keeps its primary focus on Adam’s personal journey rather than delving deeply into every sidekick’s backstory. Given the sheer size of the ensemble, trying to flesh out every henchman in a two-hour runtime would be impossible.

The core cast delivers strong performances. Nicholas Galitzine makes a likeable, believable and easygoing He-Man – serving as a fitting successor to Dolph Lundgren – complete with a subtle, nod-and-wink homage. He shares an engaging romantic spark with Teela, played by Camila Mendes, while Idris Elba brings welcome gravitas to the role of Man-At-Arms. Meanwhile, Jared Leto steps into Skeletor’s cloak with the kind of reckless abandon you would expect. Alison Brie and Kristen Wiig also add their names to the cast in the role of Evil-Lyn and voice of Roboto.

Visually, the film relies heavily on polished CGI to build Eternia and bring iconic characters to life. Rather than relying purely on star power, the production prioritises spectacle and world-building. The visual style taps into a vibrant, pristine comic-book aesthetic that elevates the overall audiovisual experience.

While serious enough to keep the stakes engaging, the film maintains a self-aware, playful humour. There are no fourth-wall breaks, but it frequently winks at the audience’s familiarity with the franchise’s lore and power dynamics. Memorable fan favourites – including Ram Man, Mekaneck, Trap Jaw, Beast Man, Fisto and the Evil-Lyn – all make welcome appearances.

Despite its darker character designs and a skull-faced villain that might cause mild consternation for parents of very young children, the film’s silly, energetic undertone keeps things light. Much like Starship Troopers, its earnest intensity is tempered by a colourful comic-book sensibility, creating a world filled with effervescent charm.

Masters of the Universe doesn’t pretend to be a grounded, gritty drama, nor is it aimed strictly at kids. Instead, it strikes a middle ground: an accessible, fun adventure that respects modern superhero tropes while serving up a healthy dose of nostalgia for adults introducing their kids to the franchise. It’s not life-changing but does offer a spirited, colourful, and delightfully self-aware trip back to Eternia that delivers lightweight, highly rewatchable escapism.

The bottom line: Fun