Review by Jon Donnis
The return of Masters of the Universe to live action arrives with a confidence that feels earned rather than forced. This second adaptation of Mattel’s sword-and-sorcery franchise leans heavily into its roots, picking up the familiar thread of Prince Adam, the Sword of Power, and the fractured world of Eternia under Skeletor’s rule. After being sent to Earth as a teenager and separated from his past for 15 years, Adam is drawn back into his destiny, discovering a ruined kingdom and a resistance struggling to survive under tyranny.
What follows is a straightforward but energetic fantasy adventure that rarely loses sight of what made the original material endure. The film understands its own heritage and is unashamed about it. There is a playful, almost nostalgic rhythm to the way Eternia is presented, as if the filmmakers have finally embraced the fact that this world works best when it feels like myth filtered through childhood imagination. Nicholas Galitzine’s Adam carries the emotional arc with a grounded performance, even if he could be more muscular to truly fit the role, while Idris Elba brings weight and authority to Duncan, giving the film a steady moral centre. Camila Mendes as Teela fits neatly into the action-driven dynamic, keeping the pace moving even when the story briefly settles.
The biggest talking point, unsurprisingly, is Jared Leto’s Skeletor. He leans into theatrical menace and biting humour, creating a villain who constantly threatens to steal focus from every scene he enters. There is a mocking irreverence to the performance that fits the tone of the film, keeping things just the right side of comic book excess without tipping into parody. The action itself is frequent and well staged, with moments that feel pulled directly from playground imagination rather than grounded realism, which works in its favour.
That sense of fun is the film’s strongest asset. It captures the spirit of the 1980s cartoon era without becoming trapped by it. The story mixes familiar lore with new narrative threads in a way that feels accessible, even for viewers who have no attachment to the franchise. It never takes itself too seriously, and that decision gives it a lightness that keeps the momentum steady through its longer stretches.
However, the film is not without its flaws. At two hours and fifteen minutes, it runs longer than it needs to, particularly in the middle sections where the pacing becomes uneven. There is also an overreliance on CGI, which, while technically strong, occasionally overwhelms the more grounded character moments. Some sequences would have benefited from restraint, allowing the performances to breathe rather than competing with constant visual spectacle.
Despite these issues, the film lands its emotional beats in the final act. The transformation of Adam into He-Man feels earned rather than rushed, and the final confrontation with Skeletor carries enough weight to justify the build-up. The ending restores a sense of balance to Eternia, with Queen Marlena re-established as ruler and Adam finally accepted as its protector. The post-credit moments tease further expansion, and that is all I will say!
As a whole, Masters of the Universe succeeds because it commits fully to what it is. It is loud, colourful, occasionally messy, but consistently entertaining. It feels designed for audiences who grew up with the franchise but still wants to be accessible to newcomers. Mainstream critics may struggle with its tone, but viewers looking for straightforward fantasy spectacle will likely find plenty to enjoy.
It is not perfect, but it understands its purpose. On balance, it is a solid, enjoyable return to Eternia, carried by strong performances and a clear affection for the source material.
I score Masters of the Universe a solid 8.5 out of 10.
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