Type: Based Off A Toy, Action Adventure
If You Liked: GI Joe, Tron Legacy, Masters of the Universe (1987)
‘By the power of Greyskull!’
Before I dig into this movie… I loved it. I had zero expectations. I mean, it’s a He-Man movie… you know… a plastic toys movie based on a plastic toys Saturday morning cartoon show that was only ever made to market and sell more plastic toys.
There will be fan service. It’s got more Easter eggs than a bunny wearing an Easter bonnet covered in Easter eggs at a kindergarten Easter hat parade.
Back, in the 1980s, Masters of the Universe was not really my thing. I had an army of Star Wars figures. It was my little brother that collected He-Man toys, vehicles and the epic Castle Grayskull playset that was absolutely not a dolls’ house for boys. Nope.
The toys were as wide as they were tall, with massive muscles and bad hairstyles. They were as 1980s as neon clothes, Pacman arcade machines, Maimi Vice and cans of hairspray.
This movie could have been an epic disaster.
Everyone blinked when Jared Leto was cast as Skeletor. It could have been a shallow CGI fest with a string of bang-crash fight scenes, gigantic muscles and zero brains. There are four writers credited for the screenplay and an additional two writers credited for the story – this is usually a bad omen.
But… this movie is wonderful.
Masters of the Universe is epic and hilarious, wonderfully ridiculous, joyful and probably the most fun you’ll have in the cinema this year.
Director Travis Knight (Bumblebee, Kubo and the Two Strings) brings a surprisingly big heart, pitch perfect attention to worldbuilding, and stunning visuals. He has directed some of the most beautiful and wondrous stop-motion animated movies of the last decades and that care and sense of wonder has made it into his live action He-Man.
The screenplay by Chris Butler, Aaron Nee, Adam Nee, Dave Callaham with story by Aaron Nee, Adam Nee, Alex Litvak and Michael Finch fizzes and crackles with energy and humour. The audience went in expecting a couple of funny bits, but the movie is consistently hilarious. The characters are brilliantly drawn and the story throughout is beautifully paced with dynamic actions scenes and quieter moments.
You’ll hear the Masters of the Universe movie compared to Thor Ragnarok and Guardians of the Galaxy, but it has a much longer movie muscle memory. This He-Man movie is huge love letter to 1980s adventure cult classics Highlander and Flash Gordon. The soundtrack, with Brian May’s epic rock guitar, is over-the-top and outstanding.
Nicholas Galitzine (The Sheep Detectives, Cinderella) rocks as Adam and He-man, from an HR cubicle to the Planet Eternia, Galitzine is funny, quirky, charming, heroic and vulnerable. A brilliant performance.
The cast all bring their A game and know what movie they are making. Are there standouts? It’s a tough gig for anyone to try to outshine Idris Elba (now Sir Idris Elba) and Morena Baccarin. Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson and Kristen Wiig have comparatively small roles but make the most of every second of screentime.
James Purefoy and Charlotte Riley bring a different energy that grounds the emotional heart. And Jared Leto? Nominate now for villain of the year.
This movie has a lot to say. About men, about masculinity, about what real strength and power is and how it should be wielded. It has things to say about childhood, the creativity of making up your own epic stories with your favourite toys and finding that magical world again after you thought it was lost.
Masters of the Universe is not a movie for the cynical or the sarcastic nitpickers, it’s a movie for anyone that loved playing on their bedroom floor as a child. It’s for those who love optimism, epic action, funfair rides and stories with a big heart – and a surprisingly big brain.
Director – Travis Knight
Writers – Chris Butler, Aaron Nee, Adam Nee
Stars – Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Idris Elba
