Masters of The Universe is the much-anticipated large screen adaptation to it’s famous TV show and movie predecessor: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, directed by (Travis Knight) famous for directing and producing works such as Bumblebee, Coraline, Kubo and the Two Strings and ParaNorman and written by Chris Butler. The film follows Adam, a future royal prince as he returns to his home realm (Eternia) with his ragtag crew, to deliver his people out of the evil snare of the mighty Skeletor and reclaim his body-transforming sword that turns him into He-Man….but will they make it out safe and sound? Or succumb to the dark and sinister forces of Skeletors kingdom?
The worldbuilding in this film is grand. (Travis Knight) fully embraces the extravagant and fantasy elements that made the original series so memorable which help in creating a replica of Eternia filled with towering castles, strange creatures and colourful kingdoms. The scale of the film feels epic as well, giving audiences the sense that they are witnessing a real battle for the future of an entire realm.
The cast also helps bring the story to life and adapt its source material well. The central characters share strong chemistry, making the relationships feel natural and easygoing on screen. Adam’s (played by Nicholas Galitzine) transformation into He-Man is handled perfectly, allowing the audience to connect with him as an ordinary loser who is lost in his fantasy world before embracing him as a chiselled hero who fights the bad guys. Meanwhile, Skeletor (played by Jared Leto) proves to be a commanding yet darkly comedic presence whenever he appears on screen, delivering the perfect blend of menace and humor fans would expect from the iconic character.
Visually, the film is impressive throughout due to the beautiful cinematography by Fabian Wagner. The action sequences are energetic and well choreographed, while the costume and production design pay clear respect to the source material without feeling trapped by it. From He-Man’s legendary armour to Skeletor’s intimidating appearance, the designs strike a satisfying balance between homage and fan service vs modern filmmaking. Combined with a sweeping musical score by Daniel Pemberton (famous for Spider-Verse and the recent blockbuster Project Hail Mary) and polished special effects, the film consistently feels larger than life.
With that being said, the film isn’t without its shortcomings. Some supporting characters are introduced with interesting potential but don’t receive enough development to leave a lasting impact. Certain story beats also feel rushed, particularly during the latter stages of the film, where the narrative occasionally prioritises spectacle over character depth. The humor at times just feels shoehorned into scenes that don’t require it and make serious moments become a cringefest. The dialogue between characters also became stale quickly, with certain moments feeling awkward and lacking pulp. While these issues don’t derail the experience, they do prevent the film from reaching its full potential.
