It's been nearly four decades since Dolph Lundgren first declared, "I have the power!" in the 1987 Masters of the Universe film—a movie that was panned at the time but later earned a cult following. Since then, the franchise has survived through animated series and toys, but a live-action return seemed stuck in development hell. Directors like John Woo, John M. Chu, and McG all flirted with the project, but none could make it to the screen. Now, Bumblebee filmmaker Travis Knight has finally delivered a new big-screen adventure. Was it worth the wait? Absolutely.
What's the Story?
The film opens on the distant planet Eternia, ruled by a just King and Queen (James Purefoy and Charlotte Riley). Their son, Prince Adam, is a disappointment in battle training, much to the frustration of his mentor, Duncan, aka Man-At-Arms (Idris Elba). When enemy forces overwhelm the kingdom, Adam is smuggled to Earth with the Sword of Power—a talisman holding Eternia's magic. He loses the weapon during transport and grows up as a human.
Fifteen years later, Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) is a disgruntled twenty-something working in HR, trying to convince anyone that his memories of another world are real. He finds the sword and is reunited with childhood friend Teela (Camila Mendes), who brings him back to Eternia. There, he discovers his parents' kingdom has been destroyed by the evil sorcerer Skeletor (Jared Leto). Determined to reclaim the throne, Adam transforms into He-Man, a mighty warrior. But his new strength means nothing if he can't learn to lead.
A Faithful, Fun Reboot with Marvel Vibes
One reason a live-action Masters of the Universe took so long is that the cartoon's campy elements—like characters named Fisto and Mekaneck—are hard to pull off with a straight face. Knight cleverly addresses this with a narrative device that explains the wacky names, while keeping the look of Eternia remarkably faithful to the source material. Fans will spot nods to the 1987 film, including the return of Pig Boy and a cameo that will have audiences cheering.
The action is big and playful, with set pieces like the invasion of Castle Grayskull delivering summer-blockbuster thrills. The humor is constant, and the movie never takes itself too seriously—reminiscent of Knight's Bumblebee. It borrows heavily from the Thor franchise: the plot mirrors the first Thor (a lovable oafish prince stranded on Earth without his power source), and the tone echoes Thor: Ragnarok. The climactic battle even kicks off with Queen's "Princes of the Universe," a clear nod to that film's Led Zeppelin moment. It's at its best when it throws everything at the screen, and the energy is infectious.
Nicholas Galitzine Makes He-Man Human
Galitzine, known more for romantic leads like Red, White & Royal Blue, bulks up and embraces the role. He plays Adam as a good-hearted but inept savior who grows into his power. There's a childlike charm to him as he tries to solve problems with words only to get punched across a room. The film's heart lies in Adam finding balance between his conflict-averse Earth persona and the inspiring leader he must become. Making a muscle-bound prince the underdog is no small feat, but Galitzine pulls it off.
Idris Elba stands out as Duncan, a former military leader turned drunk haunted by past failure. His redemption arc pairs nicely with Adam's journey. The supporting cast, including Teela as the no-nonsense hero, adds depth. While the wackiness sometimes undermines serious moments—like a final duel where Skeletor appears in Adam's memories—the film's goal is to entertain, and it mostly succeeds.
For fans of the franchise, this is a love letter. For newcomers, it's a fun, self-aware adventure that doesn't demand you take it seriously. Masters of the Universe is finally back, and it's a blast.
