‘Masters Of The Universe’ Review – This Latest IP Revamp Has Just Enough Power To Provide Adequate Enough Blockbuster Fun

As the quest for more IP to dig up and revamp for the modern age continues, we’ve now reached a point in the industry where nostalgia and memorabilia are being mined from the present rather than the distant past. We live in a world where IP and familiarity are being curated for today’s generations, with recent mega successes like Backrooms as prime examples. In a way, Masters of the Universe is the type of IP management that’s being left by the wayside.

You’d expect a nostalgia reimagining of an almost foregone era to be a “been there done that” scenario across the board, but Masters of the Universe manages to be a pleasant surprise in more ways than one. Its issues are obvious right from the start — a slow and heavily expositional beginning, occasional shoddy VFX work, and multiple instances of obnoxious try-hard humor. Yet Masters of the Universe still works because everyone involved is fully committed to the silly nature of its original material while balancing its core message about what it means to truly be a man.

Plot Summary

The film begins with a thickly laid voiceover from Adam Glenn (Nicholas Galitzine) recounting his youth as a prince in the world of Eternia. At a young age, Adam is seen as the weakest amongst his peers during training with Man-At-Arms Duncan (Idris Elba), much to the disappointment of his mother Queen Marlena (Charlotte Riley) and father King Randor (James Purefoy).

Eternia’s peace is shattered when the planet is raided by the evil army of Skeletor (Jared Leto), who seeks The Sword of Power. Adam is transported to Earth with the sword by its guardian, The Sorceress (Morena Baccarin). He loses the sword during descent and years later, now living an ordinary life as an office worker, he finally recovers it. With monsters sent by Skeletor in pursuit and his childhood friend Teela (Camila Mendes) arriving to help, Adam must return to Eternia, fulfill his destiny, and discover his true self.

Tone, Style & Comparisons

Many will compare Masters of the Universe to other recent franchise revivals, but the best description is a cross between the awkward, silly humor of Taika Waititi’s Thor movies and the emotional catharsis of The Lego Movie.

It takes a while for the film to click into its goofy, character-driven tone. The first half is the roughest, with obvious plotting around He-Man’s arc and hit-or-miss humor that sometimes slides into the grating territory of Thor: Love and Thunder. However, the campy self-aware nature is far preferable to the film taking itself too seriously.

Strengths: Visuals, Heart & Direction

Director Travis Knight infuses the adaptation with bountiful characters and heart. The film makes fun of its own nonsense while never rejecting the wonder within it. Despite some rough green screen backgrounds, the movie delivers a colorful, vibrant look with creative heightened visuals in fight scenes — clearly benefiting from Knight’s animation background.

Impact frames give He-Man’s transformation an electric feel, and the fights carry zany weight, perfectly complemented by Daniel Pemberton’s rock-heavy score.

Themes & Nicholas Galitzine’s Performance

Adam’s characterization is a highlight: he’s always been wimpier and more bumbly than the legend suggests. The film delivers a clear message — he doesn’t have to become someone else to succeed. The commentary on male egos and toxic masculinity isn’t groundbreaking, but it provides a solid emotional core. Nicholas Galitzine nails the role with perfect ditzy, clumsy charm.

Standout Supporting Cast – Especially Skeletor

The supporting performances are solid, particularly the father-daughter dynamic between Idris Elba and Camila Mendes. However, Jared Leto’s Skeletor often steals the entire movie. His sassy drama queen persona is perfectly realized, and scenes with Evil-Lyn (Alison Brie) deliver the best campy humor. Skeletor is the surprise highlight, even visually translated well to live-action.

Final Verdict

Masters of the Universe might be hampered by its shaky start, tonal struggles, and long runtime, but it’s never a bad time. It fully embraces its campy roots while delivering a firm message at its core, making for a deeply flawed but thoroughly enjoyable ‘80s nostalgia play.

Masters of the Universe will debut exclusively in theaters on June 5, 2026, courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios.

Watch the official trailer here: