A New Era for He-Man
A year after the summer blockbuster “Superman,” we are greeted with another hopeful and redefining reboot in the form of “Masters of the Universe.” This live-action adaptation brings to life the origin story and interplanetary adventures of He-Man, a character that first captivated audiences in the 80s through comics, cartoons, and toy lines. He-Man is the bronzed and brawny alter-ego of Prince Adam of Eternia, who, with the help of his friends, bravely defends Castle Grayskull from his evil archenemy, Skeletor.
The only actor to have previously portrayed He-Man in live-action was Dolph Lundgren in a 1987 box office flop. Now, director Travis Knight, known for films like “Kubo and the Two Strings” and “Bumblebee,” has chosen Nicholas Galitzine for the role. Galitzine, primarily known for rom-coms such as “The Idea of You” and “Red, White & Royal Blue,” brings a modern and more sensitive interpretation of the character. While the original He-Man was always empathetic and kind, Knight’s film emphasizes this aspect even more.
A Modern Take on a Classic Hero
After being sent to Earth as a child following an attack on his home planet, Eternia, the grown-up Adam now works a mind-numbingly dull desk job involving teamwork, situation de-escalation, and healthy communication with HR and clients. These skills become crucial when he returns to Eternia and faces the forces of Skeletor. Like David Corenswet’s Superman, who believes everyone he meets is beautiful, Galitzine’s He-Man sincerely asks his close ally and former trainer, Duncan (played by Idris Elba), “Whatever happened to understanding, listening, talking to each other?” This relationship between He-Man/Adam and Duncan is significant. Duncan, the older figure, feels uncomfortable discussing his feelings and believes it’s a man’s duty to fight and use force to protect his family, while Adam tries to empathize and reason with his foes.
Supporting Cast and Action Sequences
Camila Mendes plays the fearless Teela, Captain of the Guards of Eternia and adoptive daughter of Duncan. Meanwhile, Jared Leto delivers a hammy British accent as a sillier-than-scary Skeletor. The action sequences are often thrilling, thanks to Daniel Pemberton’s epic score and Brian May’s exhilarating guitar solos. However, these scenes can feel indistinguishable from the generic Marvel and DC fare that has become common in recent years. The humor, too, leans on the grating “he’s right behind me, isn’t he?” trope, which can detract from the emotional and serious moments of the film.
Standout Moments and Runtime
The scene where Adam first transforms into He-Man is a standout, as is the climactic 1v1 battle with Skeletor. Slow-motion frames of their fight resemble comic book panels, and He-Man at full power is a sight to behold. However, the almost two-and-a-half-hour runtime starts to feel lengthy, with the slew of creatures, weapons, and CGI forests entertaining for only so long.
A Nostalgic and Light-Hearted Film
Despite its flaws, “Masters of the Universe” is a colorful and light-hearted affair, much like Taika Waititi’s “Thor: Ragnarok” in 2017. It is self-aware and low on emotional stakes but high on action spectacle and the charisma of its central performance. Nicholas Galitzine embodies the modern He-Man, and the film’s approach to toxic masculinity updates the character for new audiences, while nostalgic fans will find plenty to love.
However, despite individual merits, the film may struggle to stand out against the many reboots dominating modern cinema. At the end of the day, it’s just another existing IP resurrected for the big screen.
“Masters of the Universe” is set for release on June 5.
