Eternia Deserves a Little More Magic

Read Time:8 Minute, 26 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Masters of the Universe
–

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Year: 2026
Runtime: 2h 20m
Director: Travis Knight
Writers: Chris Butler, Aaron Nee, Adam Nee, David Callaham
Cast: Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Idris Elba, Jared Leto, Alison Brie, James Purefoy, Morena Baccarin, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Kristen Wiig
Where to Watch: available October 20, 2026. Pre-order your copy here: www.moviesunlimited.com or www,amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: He-Man was never supposed to make a lot of sense, and I don't think anyone fell in love with MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE because of its commitment to realism. We're talking about a roided-up guy who raises a sword above his head, screams about his power, and fights villains that look like they were designed with no restraint, probably on something. That's exactly why the franchise endured. The ridiculous characters, weapons, talking animals, and world of Eternia are what make it entertaining. Travis Knight's 2026 adaptation occasionally embraces that absurdity, but at times it seems too concerned with grounding everything (in some ways).

I grew up during the height of He-Man's popularity, when the action figures, animated series, and seemingly endless merchandise were everywhere. Whether you were devoted to the cartoon or just familiar with the characters, most people recognized this world. That familiarity can make a new adaptation hard to judge, especially when Hollywood has spent years revisiting practically everything my generation grew up watching. I wanted this to succeed, and there are enough enjoyable moments here that I can't call it a disappointment. I kept wishing the filmmakers would stop trying to make everything feel like a contemporary blockbuster and embrace how strange this property already is.

Nicholas Galitzine plays Prince Adam, who's spent fifteen years separated from Eternia, living on Earth with just some vague memories of his former life. When the Sword of Power finally reappears, Adam returns to a home he barely recognizes, now under Skeletor's (Jared Leto) control. Reunited with Teela (Camila Mendes) and Duncan, better known as Man-At-Arms (Idris Elba), he has to figure out how to become the hero his people desperately need. It's a straightforward setup that gives newcomers enough to understand the characters without requiring years of familiarity.

Galitzine deserves a lot of credit for making Adam likable before he becomes He-Man. His early scenes have an awkwardness that makes sense for someone who's spent most of his life feeling disconnected from everything around him. He approaches the character with sincerity, even when the dialogue seems determined to turn every moment into another joke. Once he assumes the heroic identity, he's convincing physically, but his performance is strongest when Adam is uncertain about himself. Unfortunately, the screenplay doesn't always give that uncertainty enough room to develop before pushing him toward another confrontation.

One of my biggest struggles is the film's humor, which often feels like it comes from a checklist of modern superhero tropes. Characters regularly interrupt serious conversations with sarcastic remarks, and almost every moment of genuine emotion seems on the verge of being undercut by a joke. Some of that humor works, particularly when the movie acknowledges how absurd its characters and situations can be. Other times, it feels like the filmmakers are embarrassed to take their own story seriously. There's a difference between having fun with something and constantly reminding the audience that you know it's ridiculous.

Knight previously directed BUMBLEBEE and the remarkable stop-motion animated film KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS, both of which demonstrated his ability to combine impressive visuals with characters worth caring about. His involvement gave me hope that Eternia would receive the same attention to detail and imagination. That talent shows in moments, especially in the creature designs, elaborate costumes, and the sheer variety of characters populating this world. Unfortunately, some of the larger environments lack the personality of the practical elements surrounding them. For a place as unusual as Eternia, I wanted to spend more time appreciating its surroundings rather than watching another battle against computer-generated enemies.

Camila Mendes makes a strong impression as Teela, bringing an unparalleled confidence and physicality to a character who could easily have been reduced to explaining everything Adam doesn't understand. She's capable, determined, and frequently seems better prepared for the challenges facing Eternia than the man who's supposed to save it. Her interactions with Galitzine help establish their history without requiring lengthy explanations. I would've liked more opportunities to explore that relationship, particularly the emotional consequences of Adam's extended absence, but Mendes makes the most of what she's given.

Idris Elba brings his usual presence to Duncan, giving the film much-needed stability whenever the humor gets excessive. He's particularly effective at making even the strangest conversations sound important, which is no small accomplishment in a movie populated by characters with names like Fisto and Trap Jaw. Alison Brie also seems to enjoy herself as Evil-Lyn, bringing just enough theatricality to fit the material. The supporting cast clearly understands the kind of movie they're making, even when the screenplay struggles to give everyone something worthwhile to do.

Then there's Jared Leto as Skeletor, a casting decision that was guaranteed to cause plenty of conversation before the movie ever premiered. His interpretation emphasizes the character's cruelty and hunger for power, making him a genuine threat rather than simply the cartoonish villain many remember. I appreciated that approach, although I also missed some of the personality that made Skeletor such an entertaining antagonist in the first place. Frank Langella's portrayal in the 1987 film remains so memorable because he committed to the character's exaggerated nature. Leto takes a different direction, one that works during confrontations but doesn't always make Skeletor particularly interesting in between.

Speaking of the 1987 MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE, I have a soft spot for that movie despite its numerous shortcomings. Dolph Lundgren certainly looked the part, and Langella gave the production far more commitment than anyone could've reasonably expected. That adaptation famously spent much of its time on Earth rather than exploring Eternia, something this newer version thankfully attempts to correct. Yet the two films share an odd similarity. Both struggle to capture the imaginative possibilities of their source material. Technology has improved, but bigger budgets and more sophisticated effects don't automatically make for a more memorable adventure.

At about 140 minutes, this version also struggles to maintain momentum. The early story establishes an enjoyable balance between Adam's circumstances and the increasingly strange world awaiting him. Once the larger conflict takes over, however, the story becomes more conventional, with repeated confrontations and lengthy action sequences that don't always serve the characters. Several scenes could've been shortened without losing anything, and a tighter runtime would've helped. I enjoyed the action when the choreography let individual characters show their abilities, but the more crowded sequences occasionally became hard to distinguish from countless other effects-heavy productions.

Daniel Pemberton's score knows when to emphasize the material's heroic nature, giving several sequences the larger-than-life quality they deserve. I also appreciated the filmmakers' willingness to include recognizable elements from the franchise without stopping the movie every time something nostalgic appears on screen. Not every reference needs an explanation, and sometimes simply allowing a character or object to exist in the background is enough. The film works best when it trusts the audience to appreciate these details without explaining them.

What keeps MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE enjoyable is its obvious affection for the characters. Even with unnecessary jokes, occasionally unconvincing backgrounds, and an extended runtime, it still tries to deliver the grand fantasy adventure that made the original so appealing. Galitzine gives us a He-Man worth following, Mendes and Elba provide capable support, and enough of Eternia's peculiar personality survives the modernization to make the experience worthwhile.

I don't need a He-Man movie to be sophisticated, complicated, or particularly concerned with reinventing its characters. Give me memorable heroes, outrageous villains, imaginative locations, and a story that understands why generations of people became attached to this world. Knight delivers portions of that experience, sometimes quite successfully. The film spends too much time following expected conventions when it has an entire universe of unusual possibilities at its disposal. MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE is a decent return for a character who deserves another opportunity on the big screen. There's enough here to justify the effort, even if I left feeling Eternia still has considerably more to offer. If a sequel gets the greenlight, they'd better give us Orko!!!

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