Masters of the Universe Review: Fun but Flawed
Rating: 2.5/5 Director: Travis Knight Cast: Nicholas Galitzine, Jared Leto, Idris Elba, Camila Mendes, Alison Brie, Morena Baccarin
Masters of the Universe arrives as a colorful, self-aware summer blockbuster that knows exactly what it wants to be — and mostly delivers it, despite some significant stumbles along the way.
What It’s About
The film opens with the fall of Eternia before jumping to Earth, where a young Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) has spent 15 years living an unremarkable human life, stuck in a corporate job while quietly obsessing over a destiny he left behind. When his childhood friend Teela (Camila Mendes) tracks him down, Adam is pulled back across dimensions to reclaim his birthright, confront the tyrannical Skeletor, and finally become He-Man.
What Works
Director Travis Knight makes the smartest possible choice early on: he refuses to drag the material into dark, gritty territory. Masters of the Universe leans into its cartoon roots with warmth and self-aware humor, treating its source material with affection rather than embarrassment. The world of Eternia is visually rich, paying genuine tribute to the original Mattel toy line and the 1980s animated series. The action sequences are high-energy, the musical score hits its marks, and a cameo from a cast member of the 1987 live-action He-Man film will land well for longtime fans.
The performances are a genuine highlight. Galitzine brings easygoing charm and enough vulnerability to make Adam’s transformation feel earned rather than campy — his “I have the power!” moment actually works. Jared Leto goes full theatrical as Skeletor, delivering a campy, menacing villain performance that steals every scene he’s in. Alison Brie is perfectly cast as Evil-Lyn, glutting herself in the villainy with obvious relish. Idris Elba and Camila Mendes provide grounded emotional anchors, Morena Baccarin brings quiet presence as the Sorceress, and Kristen Wiig’s voice work as Roboto adds sharp comedic timing to the ensemble.
What Doesn’t Work
The opening Earth-set act is the film’s biggest problem. The fish-out-of-water jokes feel forced, the corporate satire lands awkwardly, and the whole sequence delays the audience’s arrival in Eternia for far too long. The tonal shift from mundane comedy to cosmic fantasy feels jarring rather than earned.
The script is the deeper issue. It lurches between goofy humor and high-stakes drama without fully committing to either, resulting in an overstuffed narrative where emotional beats are undercut by poorly timed jokes and dramatic moments struggle to land. Galitzine’s instinct to use humor to lighten serious scenes doesn’t always pay off, and a tighter second act would have significantly strengthened the climax.
The Verdict
Masters of the Universe is an entertaining, nostalgic summer film that honors its franchise roots while tripping over an uneven script. Its flaws are real — the Earth subplot drags, the pacing is messy, and the comedy undermines the drama more than once. But the colorful world-building, committed performances, and genuine affection for the source material make it a crowd-pleasing theatrical experience all the same. Travis Knight has made a film that works for die-hard fans and curious newcomers alike — just don’t go in expecting a tight narrative.