The 1980s throwback adventure Masters of the Universe stars Nicholas Galitzine as the real He-Man and Jared Leto as a bombastic guy with a skull face.
‘Masters of the Universe’ trailer stars Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man
The fantasy action adventure Masters of the Universe stars Nicholas Galitzine as the heroic He-Man and Jared Leto as his evil rival Skeletor.
Masters of the Universe is the kind of popcorn movie that feels perfect with a ridiculously sweet breakfast full of big, delicious breakfast cereals.
Directed by Travis Knight (“Bumblebee”), this fantasy action-adventure brings back the 1980s He-Man heyday with modern themes and flair. Plus, of course, the giant muscles are courtesy of human action figure Nicholas Galitzine.
Similar franchises from the Reagan era, such as GI Joe and Transformers, might have received high-profile reboots as movies much earlier, but Masters of the Universe (rated PG-13 out of 4, released in theaters June 5) is the most faithful recreation of that glorious toybox era, with its playful sincerity, cheeky humor, and over-the-top goofiness.
Galitzine stars as Adam, the prince of the kingdom of Eternia, where almost everyone seems jacked. A small, unwarrior-like 10-year-old, he is sent to Earth with a magical sword of power when his home is attacked by the evil forces of Skeletor (Jared Leto). During the journey, Adam lost the weapon he was supposed to protect. And now, as an adult in a soulless human resources job, he searches for the sword that will take him to the home Adam remembers through the drawings he made as a child.
It’s an obsession that affects both his personal and professional life. But Adam finds a sword, which sends him on a quest full of punch and self-discovery that takes him back to Eternia, reunites with his childhood friend Teela (Camila Mendes), and takes on the skull-faced villain Skeletor to save the world.
And yes, if you know anything about He-Man, Adam turns into a ridiculously muscular blonde barbarian in a fur loincloth as he holds his sword aloft and yells, “By the power of Grayskull…I have the power!” (It’s fun, so give it a try.)
Galitzine certainly looks the part, but what really works are the more subtle aspects he injects into Adam’s character, combined with Knight’s vision. Like an awkward man-child, Adam is clearly really toned under the pink shirt, even though he’s initially quick to wind down and avoid a fight – it’s not boulder biceps, but some growing muscles he needs to finally save the day.
You might not expect a well-acted adventure from something with guys named Fisto, Ram Man, and Trapjaw running around, but that’s definitely an area where Masters of the Universe surprises.
In addition to Galitzine, Idris Elba chews the scenery and redemption story as Teela’s battle-ready father, Man-at-Arms, and Jared Leto, as Skeletor, combines bombastic theatricality and evil boss vibes in one of his most entertaining roles in years. He and his right-hand woman Evil Lyn, played by Alison Brie, perfectly understand the hilariously malicious mission.
“Masters” takes a while to change sonically. It leans a little seriously at first, then settles into some weirdness, but never goes completely camp. (Increasing the camp by 50% would have been fine.)
It also proudly wears its ’80s influences, from Brian May’s shredded guitar riffs and Queen Highlander needle drops on the soundtrack (though Flash Gordon was the film’s biggest inspiration) to its homage to Dolph Lundgren’s haunting 1987 film He-Man.
This movie is clearly aimed at a specific audience that watched old Saturday morning cartoons and would use Faker as their resident eternal hero if the He-Man figure’s arm broke. (If you know, you know.) Still, there’s enough infectious energy and heart to give this candied throwback more mainstream appeal than Galitzine’s impressive deltoids.
