For decades, Masters of the Universe has struggled to find its place outside of animation and toys. Director Travis Knight finally changes that with a live-action adaptation that embraces the franchise’s fantasy roots while delivering an entertaining coming-of-age adventure. Led by a charismatic cast and impressive world-building, the film captures the wonder and heroism that made the 80s cartoon iconic.
The inconsistent humor occasionally undercuts dramatic moments, but Knight’s strong visual direction and genuine affection for the source material help Masters of the Universe overcome its flaws to deliver a world worth exploring.
Masters of the Universe Overview
Masters of the Universe follows Adam (Nicholas Galitzine), the long-lost Prince of Eternia. Sent to Earth as a child to protect him from Skeletor’s rise to power, Adam grows up knowing he belongs somewhere else. After years of searching, he finally reunites with his childhood friend Teela (Camila Mendes) and returns home.
What he finds is a kingdom on the verge of collapse. Skeletor (Jared Leto) has tightened his grip on Eternia, while the defenders of Castle Grayskull struggle to hold the line. Joined by Teela, Man-At-Arms (Idris Elba), and a growing group of allies, Adam embarks on a journey that forces him to embrace the responsibility he has spent years chasing.
The film’s use of humor, especially in the Earth section and the 1st half, misses more than it hits, causing it to drag a bit. However, once the story shifts to Eternia, the film finds the heart and marries it with great action sequences
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The cast is more than capable of carrying the material. Galitzine gives Adam an earnestness that makes his journey easy to invest in. Mendes and Elba provide strong support throughout, while Leto fully commits to Skeletor’s theatrical nature without turning the character into a parody.
The action sequences consistently deliver, particularly once the story shifts fully to Eternia. Fabian Wagner‘s cinematography gives the film a grand fantasy scope, while Daniel Pemberton‘s energetic score, featuring contributions from Brian May, elevates many of the movie’s biggest moments. Together, they help create a version of Masters of the Universe that feels both familiar and refreshingly ambitious.
Adam’s return in Masters of the Universe
Adam’s journey is the heart of Masters of the Universe. Galitzine delivers a performance that makes the character’s growth feel earned. While many versions of He-Man begin with Adam already destined for greatness, this film presents him as someone constantly struggling to live up to expectations.
As a child on Eternia, Adam is smaller and less physically imposing than those around him. King Randor (James Purefoy) from Adam’s point of view, sees little of a future warrior in his son, while Teela and Man-At-Arms work tirelessly to help him earn his father’s approval. Before Adam can prove himself, Skeletor’s invasion forces him to flee Eternia with the Sword of Power.
Years later, Adam remains consumed by that loss. Stranded on Earth, he spends his days working an unfulfilling human resources job while obsessively searching for the sword. He believes finding it will finally allow him to reclaim the life that was stolen from him. The problem is that Adam has spent so much time chasing the symbol of his destiny that he has failed to grow into the person capable of fulfilling it. When a creature attacks Earth, Adam flees instead of fighting.
That flaw creates much of the tension between Adam and Teela after they reunite. Teela finds someone hesitant to fight and unsure of his place in the world. Their relationship becomes one of the film’s strongest dynamics because Teela refuses to simply hand Adam the confidence he lacks.
Galitzine excels throughout this progression. He makes Adam’s uncertainty believable without turning him into a passive protagonist. By the time Adam embraces the power of He-Man, the transformation feels like the culmination of genuine personal growth rather than a foregone conclusion.
Man-At-War with himself
While Adam’s journey drives the story, Man-At-Arms provides some of Masters of the Universe‘s strongest emotional material. Elba is predictably excellent in the role, but what stands out most is how much depth the screenplay gives the character. Rather than serving solely as a mentor, Man-At-Arms receives an arc centered on failure, regret and redemption.
Before Skeletor’s invasion, Man-At-Arms was one of Eternia’s greatest warriors and King Randor’s most trusted protector. He trained future heroes, defended the kingdom and earned the respect of nearly everyone around him. That reputation crumbles after Eternia falls. Haunted by his inability to stop Skeletor and protect the royal family, he retreats into alcoholism and self-pity.
The consequences of that downfall are most evident in his relationship with Teela. She remembers the hero her father used to be, but she has little patience for the broken man he has become. Their scenes together carry genuine emotional weight.
Elba brings a quiet dignity to the role throughout the film. By the final act, Man-At-Arms’ redemption feels just as satisfying as Adam’s transformation into He-Man.
Masters of the Universe Final Thoughts
Masters of the Universe succeeds because it understands that He-Man has never been just about a magical sword or superhuman strength. At its best, the franchise is about ordinary people finding the courage to become something greater. Knight never loses sight of that idea, grounding the spectacle in character relationships that give the story real emotional weight.
Galitzine anchors the film with an earnest performance that makes Adam easy to root for. His evolution from uncertain outsider to He-Man feels earned rather than inevitable. The supporting cast is equally strong. Mendes brings conviction to Teela, while Elba delivers some of the film’s most compelling dramatic moments. Leto also proves to be a surprisingly effective Skeletor, embracing the character’s theatrical nature without sacrificing his menace.
The film is not without flaws. Much of the humor lands awkwardly, particularly during the Earth-based opening act. Those jokes occasionally undermine scenes that would have benefited from a more serious approach. The pacing also takes time to find its rhythm before the story fully transitions to Eternia.
Fortunately, once the film settles into its fantasy setting, it rarely looks back. The action sequences are exciting. Eternia feels richly realized and Wagner’s cinematography gives the world a sense of scale worthy of the franchise. Pemberton’s score further elevates the adventure.
Masters of the Universe leaves audiences wanting to spend more time in this world. After decades of failed attempts and unrealized potential, the franchise finally has a live-action adaptation that captures its heart. It may stumble occasionally, but the power is unquestionably there.
Masters of the Universe
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Great - 8/108/10
