Masters of the Universe
After nearly 20 years in development hell, He-Man has finally made his big-screen return in Masters of the Universe, an overlong but ultimately charming adaptation of the classic Mattel toy line and Saturday morning cartoon from the 1980s.
Focusing on Prince Adam/He-Man (Nicholas Galitzine, The Sheep Detectives) and his return to the magical world of Eternia, director Travis Knight (Bumblebee; Kubo and the Two Strings) does a commendable job translating this 40-year-old storyline into something palatable for modern audiences. This appeal is largely thanks to the film’s willingness to embrace — and even comment on — the inherent goofiness at the center of Masters of the Universe.
While the self-referential gags that often damage even the best MCU movies are present, this reviewer found them far more bearable here because the property has never aspired to be much more than an extravagant commercial for Mattel products. That being said, many of the jokes rely on the assumption that viewers have at least a passing familiarity with some of He-Man’s past adventures or a broader understanding of ’80s pop culture. While I imagine many of the gags will play like gangbusters for viewers in their 40s and 50s who were playing with Masters of the Universe figures during the brand’s heyday, I can also picture younger audiences scratching their heads.
Helping elevate the material is the ensemble cast. Galitzine’s refreshing take on Adam successfully transforms the macho icon into a more sensitive and goofy hero, recalling Chris Hemsworth’s more recent performances as Thor. Meanwhile, Riverdale star Camila Mendes delivers a charming supporting performance as the warrior goddess, Teela. While Eternia’s master of weapons, Duncan, is not exactly the kind of role that feels worthy of Idris Elba’s talents — as has been the case with much of his recent work — the veteran actor still gives it his all and provides the film with some much-needed heart.
Most surprising, however, is Jared Leto’s turn as the evil Skeletor. Despite having his face obscured by a CGI skull, Leto delivers a remarkable physical and vocal performance as the film’s primary antagonist, striking the perfect balance between threatening and hilarious. While there is plenty of fun to be had with He-Man and his allies, the film is at its best when focusing on the villains. Despite my personal opinions of Leto’s previous work and public persona, I could have done with even more Skeletor.
There is a lot to love about Masters of the Universe but, unfortunately, the film is seriously hampered by its excessive runtime.
At 90-100 minutes, the movie could have been a rip-roaring adventure that sends audiences home with a smile on their faces. At nearly 2½ hours, however, the film is more likely to leave them exhausted.
Those gags that initially work so well begin to repeat themselves ad nauseam and gradually lose their charm. In addition, the film’s midpoint is saddled with far too many emotional heart-to-hearts that overexplain its themes of healthy masculinity. The result is a movie that increasingly struggles with pacing as it approaches the finish line. Even the final battle fails to satisfy as much as I had hoped because of the film’s need to pay off virtually every minor character arc.
For as much fun as Masters of the Universe can be, the dominant feeling upon leaving the theater is relief more than enthusiasm.
While it is a shame that the runtime does substantial damage to the overall product, the highs of Masters of the Universe still make it worth a watch for hardcore fans or even those who are simply He-Curious.
Grade: B-minus. Rated PG-13. Now playing at AMC River Hills 10, Carolina Cinemark, and Regal Biltmore Grande.
(Photo: Amazon MGM Studios)
