He-Man's return offers colorful action, 1980s nostalgia, and impressive 4K visuals, but an uneven screenplay and limited bonus features keep this reboot from reaching its full potential.
Few toy lines have enjoyed the lasting cultural impact of Masters of the Universe. Born out of the sword-and-sorcery craze of the early 1980s, He-Man became a household name thanks to Mattel's wildly successful action figures and the beloved animated series He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Even I, as a little girl, loved this cartoon, as well as the She-Ra: Princess of Power spinoff. Now, more than four decades later, the franchise has returned to the big screen, hoping to recapture the magic of Eternia for a new generation while giving longtime fans a healthy dose of 1980s nostalgia.
Directed by Travis Knight (Bumblebee), Masters of the Universe stars Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam, Jared Leto as Skeletor, Camila Mendes as Teela, and Idris Elba as Duncan, the Man-At-Arms.
Prince Adam was sent to Earth as a young boy after the evil Skeletor launched a coup against the royal family of Eternia. Separated from the Sword of Power, Adam spends the next 15 years searching for the weapon that can reconnect him with his homeworld. When he finally discovers it, he inadvertently sends a signal to Eternia, alerting Skeletor and his forces to the sword's location.
Adam's return reveals a devastated kingdom under Skeletor's control. With the help of his childhood friend Teela and the loyal Duncan, Adam must discover his true potential, embrace his destiny, and learn to wield the power necessary to save Eternia.
The setup provides plenty of opportunities for spectacular battles, colorful characters and the kind of larger-than-life fantasy that made the original franchise so popular. At times, the film embraces its sillier side and delivers some genuinely funny moments. At others, it tries to present a more conventional epic adventure without establishing a particularly compelling larger story.
Galitzine is one of the film's strongest assets. He brings an appealing sensitivity and humor to Adam's Earth-bound persona while convincingly transitioning into the confident warrior audiences expect He-Man to become. His performance helps ground the more outlandish elements of the story, and he makes for a likable hero.
Leto is menacing as Skeletor, although one could argue that it wouldn't really matter who was playing him since his voice and appearance are completely altered. Mendes portrays a capable Teela, while Elba brings a welcome sense of authority and dependability to Duncan. The supporting cast adds further star power, even if not every character receives enough development to make a lasting impression.
The screenplay delivers a mixed bag. There are some amusing exchanges, entertaining callbacks, and Easter eggs that longtime fans should appreciate, but predictable dialogue occasionally undermines the drama. Still, the film doesn't take itself too seriously, and that willingness to embrace the franchise's inherent silliness is one of its more appealing qualities.
Naturally, the moment fans will be waiting for is the familiar declaration, "By the power of Grayskull, I have the power!" It's an unmistakable shot of nostalgia for anyone who grew up watching the animated series and playing with the original action figures.
Masters of the Universe makes an impressive leap to 4K Ultra HD, delivering the kind of presentation that allows its elaborate fantasy world to shine. Shot digitally and finished with a 4K digital intermediate, the film benefits from the format's additional resolution and clarity.
Fine detail is a major strength. The intricate designs of the costumes, armor, weapons and production elements are well suited to the increased resolution, while the expansive environments of Eternia gain a welcome sense of depth. The image's clarity also helps distinguish the film's many visual effects, bringing greater definition to its elaborate environments and fantastical action. The film's cast and filmmakers previously discussed the production's practical sets and the work involved in bringing Eternia to life.
The disc includes Dolby Vision and HDR10, with high dynamic range particularly beneficial to the film's varied visual palette. Darker, more ominous scenes contrast nicely with the brighter colors associated with He-Man's world, allowing the production design to maintain its visual impact across a wide range of environments.
The fantasy elements have plenty of opportunities to stand out, and the added dynamic range helps give the image a more substantial, cinematic appearance.
A film filled with fantasy battles, powerful weapons, otherworldly environments, and an orchestral score is a natural fit for Dolby Atmos, and Masters of the Universe has plenty of material to keep a surround system busy.
Surround activity adds dimension to the action, while the height channels contribute to a greater sense of space during the film's larger set pieces.
The score is another important component of the presentation. Its orchestral elements help reinforce the adventure's heroic tone, and the immersive soundstage provides room for the music and effects to work together without overwhelming the central action.
Dialogue remains clear throughout, with conversations amid the more elaborate effects and musical passages remaining intelligible.
The extras are pretty light on this release, but they include:
- Behind-the-Scenes Promotional Gallery: An assortment of cast and crew photographs, posters, and other promotional materials related to the film.
- Masters of Light: Skies of Eternia Drone Spectacle: A look at the promotional drone show staged over Los Angeles by Amazon MGM Studios, featuring approximately 1,600 drones depicting characters and imagery from the film, including He-Man, Skeletor, and Castle Grayskull.
- Trailers: Promotional trailers for the film.
Ultimately, Masters of the Universe is an entertaining but inconsistent adventure. The improved visual effects and expanded fantasy environments offer a substantial upgrade over the 1987 film starring Dolph Lundgren, but a more focused screenplay and a shorter running time could have made this a considerably stronger reboot.
Whether it attracts a new generation of fans remains to be seen, but longtime followers of He-Man will find enough familiar elements to make the journey worthwhile. The impressive 4K presentation makes the film worth revisiting, even if the limited supplements leave something to be desired.
Grade: B+
