Masters of the Universe
Live-action He-Man that takes itself seriously while embracing the toy line's inherent camp
The brief
Travis Knight brings his Laika animation sensibilities to live-action He-Man, creating a surprisingly grounded take on the gloriously silly '80s toy line that actually works. Nicholas Galitzine sells the earnest hero's journey without winking at the camera, while Jared Leto chews scenery as Skeletor in exactly the way this material demands. The film strikes that tricky balance between honoring the source material'scamp and delivering genuine emotional stakes, with Knight's eye for tactile world-building making Eternia feel lived-in rather than green-screened. Perfect for anyone who thought the Thor movies needed more sword-and-sorcery and fewer quips.
The verdict
If you have genuine affection for sword-and-sorcery fantasy and can embrace the inherent absurdity of a muscle-bound hero defending a magical realm, this is a surprisingly effective adventure that takes its ridiculous premise seriously. If you need constant irony or struggle with earnest hero's journeys rooted in '80s toy commercials, you'll find Knight's sincere approach more exhausting than endearing.
Watch with
- 👥 Perfect for friends who loved '80s cartoons
- 👨👩👧👦 Family adventure for older kids
- ⚠️ Skip if you hate sincere fantasy
Heads up
- Fantasy violence and sword combat (moderate)
- Dark themes of family separation (brief)
- Villain intimidation and menace (moderate)
Credits
- Director
- Travis Knight
- Cast
- Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Alison Brie, Idris Elba, Jared Leto, Sam C. Wilson, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson
Official synopsis
After being separated for 15 years, the Sword of Power leads Prince Adam back to Eternia, where he discovers
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023)
Both colorful action fantasies about heroes embracing destiny to save worlds.
