Nicholas Galitzine Leads a New Take on He-Man and the Battle for Eternia
If one is to believe the stories surrounding He-Man's creation, Masters of the Universe may never have existed without the popularity of 1982's Conan the Barbarian. While Mattel passed on making toys for the film, the success of sword-and-sorcery adventures helped inspire the company to create its own fantasy hero. Whether fact or legend, He-Man became a toy phenomenon, inspired a hit Saturday morning cartoon, and remains a beloved part of pop culture more than forty years later.
Adam (Nicholas Galitzine; Red, White, and Royal Blue) is the prince of Eternia who was sent away as a young boy to protect the sword of power. However, on his way to Earth, Adam loses his grip on the sword and spends the next 15 years searching for it. Once he finally finds it, he unknowingly sends a signal back to Eternia, and Skeletor (Jared Leto; Tron: Ares) sends his goons to find the sword and the power it holds. Adam eventually learns his true purpose and spends the rest of the film trying to defeat Skeletor, who has taken over Eternia and destroyed it. Skeletor is in search of the sword to take over its power, thinking it will make him unstoppable.
Galitzine is very good and fits the part of a "touchy-feely" human resources worker while hiding his alter ego, the prince of a world from, perhaps, another dimension. He's got the whole sensitive, "woke", kumbaya vibe down pat but also morphs into the strong He-Man who commands attention and loyalty. Leto is good as Skeletor, though the part could have really been played by almost anyone since it doesn't sound like Leto, nor do we ever see the actor's face. Camila Mendez (Riverdale) plays the adult Teela, He-Man's childhood friend, who fights by his side. Idris Elba (Thor: Ragnarok) portrays the King's Man-At-Arms who trains young Adam to fight and later is a trusted friend and advisor to the prince. Other cast members include Alison Brie (Community), Kristin Wiig (Wonder Woman 1984), and Morena Baccarin (Deadpool).
Director Travis Knight (Bumblebee) does a decent job of offering different camera angles and viewpoints, especially during the action sequences. However, some of those action sequences are longer than necessary, and the special effects are rough around the edges. Also, the pacing is up and down, with some scenes dragging a little and others sliding by too quickly. The unevenness speaks to the 2-hour and 12-minute run time that could and should have been cut down some.
The script has some very funny moments and a couple of great scenes that include a well-placed cameo or an easter egg or two. However, there are some lines that are predictable and some that didn't need to be uttered at all. Having said that, the ultimate line said by Adam..."By the power of Greyskull, I have the power" will give a thrill of nostalgia to anyone in the audience who grew up watching and loving this cartoon series.
For those who wonder if it is better than the 1987 Dolph Lundgren (Rocky IV) film...how could it not be?
Grade: B
