Directed by Travis Knight and written by Chris Butler, Masters of the Universe brings Mattel’s beloved 1980s franchise roaring back to the big screen with plenty of action, humor, and nostalgia. The film stars Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam/He-Man, Camila Mendes as Teela, Idris Elba as Man-At-Arms, Jared Leto as Skeletor, Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, and Morena Baccarin as the Sorceress.
For those unfamiliar with the property, Masters of the Universe began as a wildly successful Mattel toy line in 1982 before becoming a pop culture phenomenon through the animated series He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Rather than distancing itself from those roots, the film fully embraces them, understanding exactly why generations of fans connected with these characters in the first place.
The story follows Prince Adam, who was separated from Eternia and stranded on Earth as a child. Fifteen years later, he’s living a completely ordinary life, working in human resources and trying to figure out where he belongs in the world. When the Sword of Power finds its way back to him, Adam is thrust into a battle he never expected to fight, creating a hilarious fish-out-of-water dynamic as he goes from HR Adam to the most powerful man in the universe.
What makes the film work so well is that it never takes itself too seriously. It understands how wonderfully ridiculous parts of its mythology can be and isn’t afraid to have fun with it. The movie constantly winks at the audience while still delivering the adventure, action, and heroism fans are showing up for. It’s self-aware without becoming cynical, which is a difficult balance to pull off.
Nicholas Galitzine is incredibly charismatic as Adam, bringing both vulnerability and confidence to the role. He makes the character’s journey believable, whether he’s awkwardly navigating life on Earth or stepping into his destiny as He-Man. Jared Leto is also excellent as Skeletor. Despite never seeing his face, Leto fully commits to the role, creating a villain who is equal parts unaware, slightly ridiculous, and genuinely evil. It’s a tricky balance to pull off, but he leans into the character’s over-the-top nature without ever making Skeletor feel like a joke. The result is a villain who is both entertaining and a legitimate threat.
Travis Knight once again proves he has a talent for taking beloved toy properties and turning them into genuinely entertaining films. Much like he did with Bumblebee, he balances nostalgia with modern storytelling, creating something that feels familiar without feeling stuck in the past.
The score and soundtrack hit all the right notes, with nods to the original cartoon woven throughout. Combined with the film’s visual style and clear affection for the source material, the entire production feels like a love letter to the franchise. More importantly, it remembers that movies are supposed to be fun.
Masters of the Universe is a blast from start to finish. It’s funny, adventurous, surprisingly witty, and fully embraces the larger-than-life spirit that made He-Man an icon. As someone who grew up with these characters, I loved every minute of it.
Masters of the Universe is now playing in theaters.
Check out our interviews with the cast:
