A young man on Earth discovers a fabulous secret legacy as the Prince of an alien planet and must recover a magic sword and return home to protect his kingdom.
For anyone who spent their Saturday mornings tethered to the glow of a television in the late seventies and early eighties, “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe” was more than a cartoon—it was a weekly ritual. Despite a brief original run of just two seasons, its cultural footprint proved massive, spawning decades of reboots, Netflix revivals, and the sister series “She-Ra.” Then there was the 1987 live-action film starring Dolph Lundgren, a $22 million gamble that clawed back only $17 million before settling into its legacy as a charmingly cheesy relic of eighties sci-fi.
Now comes director Travis Knight, the visionary behind “Bumblebee” and “Kubo and the Two Strings,” who steps into this daunting mythology and actually makes it breathe. Where the ’87 attempt felt hollow, Knight’s vision has emotional gravity, a coherent soul, and stakes that actually matter.
The film wears its influences like a badge of honor. It leans into the visual DNA of “Thor: Ragnarok,” the campy spirit of 1980s “Flash Gordon,” and the earnest fun of “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.” From a soundtrack that practically begs for a Queen tribute to the actual inclusion of “Princes of the Universe,” the movie rhymes with Taika Waititi’s work without ever feeling like a cheap imitation. Knight isn’t cannibalizing these classics; he’s celebrating them with a sincerity that elevates this into one of the year’s best studio offerings.
We begin on Eternia, watching a young Prince Adam (Artie Wilkinson-Hunt) endure the barbs of bullies while training under Duncan (Idris Elba), a warrior as seasoned as he is loyal. Adam’s only true confidante is Duncan’s daughter, Teela (Eire Farrell). The peace is shattered when Skeletor (Jared Leto) seizes the throne, forcing the Sorceress (Morena Baccarin) to open a portal and thrust Adam—Sword of Power in hand—toward the safety of Earth.
Fast-forward fifteen years. Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) is now an adult who has carved out a quiet existence on Earth, still haunted by the loss of the sword during his transition. When a lead finally reunites him with the blade, a grown Teela (Camila Mendes) appears to pull him back to a kingdom he no longer recognizes. Under Skeletor’s iron fist, Eternia has been ground into dust, and Adam must learn to lead a people who have survived for over a decade without their Prince.
The script finds gold in Adam’s “fish-out-of-water” return. Having spent his adult life in a corporate HR department, he reflexively attempts conflict resolution and “circle-ups” in the heat of battle. It’s a hilarious gag that actually serves the character; his background in diplomacy informs a leadership style that a traditional warrior would never consider.
Everything converges in a climax that feels earned. When Skeletor shatters the Sword of Power, gloating that Adam is now nothing, a vision of the Sorceress reframes the myth: the sword was never the source of his strength, only the conduit. The power was always his. It’s a beat familiar to any “Ragnarok” fan, but it lands with genuine impact because the film invests so heavily in Adam’s journey.
“Masters of the Universe” is a vibrant, big-hearted love letter to eighties fantasy. With a cast clearly relishing the spectacle and a post-credits tease for a She-Ra spin-off, the film doesn’t just meet expectations—it leaps over them with a power sword held high. If you’re looking for a blockbuster with actual magic, this is it.
In Theaters Friday, June 5th
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