Masters of the Universe Review
This campy throwback is a blast!
Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) is sent to Earth as a youngster amidst a terrible attack from Skeletor (Jared Leto). When he finds the sword that is key to his way back home, it sends out a signal to the universe; bringing both friend and foe. Adam now needs to return back to his home planet, and save his people and his family. But he’ll have Teela (Camila Mendes) to help him in his quest.
Masters of the Universe smashes its way into cinemas with a promise of big muscles, electric effects, bright colours and a healthy dose of nostalgia for those familiar with the cartoons, or the memes it spawned. And going into such a film, you might be inclined to think this is a particularly modern take on it, complete with the style of cinematic ‘modernisation’ that so many legacy IP projects do - think pushing focus onto a sidelined marginal character from the original story, building out the backstory and giving us an origin story, or god forbid making one of these threadbare original characters complex and real.
While that formula might have worked, and might still work, for many properties, Masters of the Universe doesn’t succumb to the same rules. Instead, it leans heavily into that old-school movie vibe; an almost mid-2000’s campy energy, with the CGI working to make this film look more imaginative and impossible than realistic.
The cast seems to be having an absolute blast, Idris Elba in particular. Galitzine and Mendes are both strong. Mendes straddles the line between powerful sidekick heroine and bereft citizen needing a hero with ease. Galitzine is a hulking mass of muscle who hits the visual brief, while bringing a certain sense of fun, sensitivity and goofiness that never makes the role feel one note.
The plot avoids too much complexity. There are a few fun modern accoutrements (the HR slop, radios playing 4 Non Blondes, etc.), but for the most part this plays visually, tonally and storywise as a film that firmly brings back movies from a decade or more ago. It makes for a refreshing time in the cinema, and one that will keep you smiling throughout. The action should also be commended for feeling fresh and new.
Qualms can only really be had with the length. Masters of the Universe is a good half-hour long, and most of that probably comes from the early sequences setting up the plot. But when you’re having this much fun, who really cares!
