Masters of the Universe, on paper, should be a grand old time.
It’s an adventure epic featuring a magical sword, a talking tiger, a creepy walking skeleton, and a muscular man who wants to save the planet.
But the version that made it to the big screen feels uneven with awkward pacing and quirky lines that are hit-or-miss.
While it remains a major visual spectacle, the comeback film for this classic cartoon series ultimately leaves a lot of unfulfilled potential on the table.
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A VISUAL FEAST
The strongest aspect of Masters of the Universe is undoubtedly its visual execution.
Eternia bursts onto the screen with vibrant energy.
Its visuals dazzle at every turn, creating a fantasy landscape that is consistently captivating to look at.
The film’s world-building is also remarkably effective.
The environment feels expansive and genuinely alive, successfully conveying the epic scale of the story.
The narrative establishes real stakes and maps out the layout of the universe so clearly that the audience always understands exactly where the action is unfolding.
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THE SUPPORT CHARACTERS
Beyond the eye-catching scenery, the supporting characters are well-written, multifaceted, and surprisingly complex.
First, there is Jared Leto’s take on Skeletor, which stands as a definite highlight.
He fully embraces the inherent camp of the classic villain, delivering funny lines with a knowing wink.
The controversial actor understands exactly how ridiculous the character is supposed to be, injecting some much-needed chaotic energy into the proceedings.
Camila Mendes shines as Teela, balancing a commanding screen presence with a tough, battle-hardened edge that adds depth to her character.
Beside her, Idris Elba brings serious gravitas to Duncan, the Man-At-Arms.
Watching his character arc is deeply compelling.
He starts off carrying the heavy burden of past failures before slowly fighting to become a figure strong enough to defend his realm.
Even the minor characters get a chance to inject fun into the narrative.
Alison Brie is a blast as Evil-Lyn, playing the dark witch with a self-aware energy that feels like she might break the fourth wall at any given moment.
Meanwhile, supporting players like Jon Xue Zhang as the bruising Ram-Man and Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson as the formidable Fisto round out the ensemble perfectly, ensuring that the wider cast remains highly entertaining whenever they appear on screen.
THE HICCUPS
Sadly, the film’s hero feels surprisingly underwhelming at times.
While Nicholas Galitzine infuses Prince Adam with endless charm, the decision to write him as a cowardly weakling who only finds his courage through a magical sword is a baffling creative choice.
If a lost prince understands the weight of his destiny, logic suggests he would have spent his formative years relentlessly training for battle rather than waiting for a weapon to do all the heavy lifting.
The production would have benefited from committing to a clearer direction early on instead of awkwardly blending two conflicting cinematic styles.
Furthermore, the narrative is weighed down by excessive fluff, making the two-hour-and-twelve-minute runtime bloated.
The story’s momentum slows considerably during a sluggish middle act.
Trimming around 30 minutes of meandering exposition and repetitive action sequences could have resulted in a much tighter and more effective film.
THE VERDICT
Will existing fans enjoy this return to Eternia? Perhaps.
There is enough nostalgia and spectacle to satisfy the die-hard crowd.
But the film may not fully aim to win over a new generation of viewers.
Curiously, the entire production feels heavily influenced by the familiar Marvel movie formula.
But with that approach already showing signs of fatigue at the box office, leaning into it feels like an unusual choice for a property trying to relaunch its own franchise.
It is an ambitious, beautiful ride, but one that gets bogged down by trying to be too many things at once.
Masters of the Universe is now showing in cinemas nationwide.