While I still wait patiently for Frank Langella’s promise from 1987 that he “will be back” as the evil Skeletor, I suppose I have to make do with this new adaptation of Masters of the Universe.
If you weren’t around in the 1980s, it’s difficult to explain just how enormous He-Man was. Millions of kids across the world stood with one arm raised in the air, shouting “I HAVE THE POWER!” while dreaming of being transported to the magical land of Eternia.
He-Man was a genuine phenomenon, yet the character hasn’t graced the big screen since Cannon Films’ infamous 1987 adaptation, which saw Langella’s gloriously theatrical Skeletor face off against Dolph Lundgren’s He-Man. Poorly received at the time, that film has since earned the cult status it always deserved.
Let’s be honest, though. We can look back at the original cartoon through nostalgic eyes, remembering a simpler time when afternoons meant a double bill of He-Man followed by ThunderCats. But revisit it today and it’s wonderfully ridiculous. The character names, the paper-thin plotlines, and the fact nobody can work out that Prince Adam is He-Man … it’s gloriously daft.
Thankfully, director Travis Knight understands exactly what made the franchise so beloved. Rather than trying to modernise or “ground” the mythology, he fully embraces its absurdity, delivering what feels like a heartfelt love letter to the golden age of Saturday morning cartoons. Long-time fans will relish the countless nods to the original series, although newcomers may find themselves wishing the film had a little more bite beneath all the colourful silliness.
The story itself is refreshingly straightforward. When Eternia comes under attack from the evil Skeletor – played by an unrecognisable Jared Leto – the Sorceress (Morena Baccarin), the King (James Purefoy) and Man-At-Arms (Idris Elba) make one final desperate gamble. Prince Adam is sent through a portal to Earth carrying the Sword of Power in the hope that one day he can return to save his world.
Growing up on Earth as Nicholas Galitzine’s Adam, he loses the sword during his arrival and spends years clinging to fading memories of Eternia with no way home.
That changes when his childhood friend Teela (Camila Mendes) tracks him down. The sword is rediscovered, Skeletor and his followers aren’t far behind, and the film launches into one action sequence after another. At times it tips into CGI overload, but Galitzine clearly relishes the role, balancing humour with heroic swagger as he finally gets to wield the Sword of Power.
It’s unapologetically cartoonish, refuses to take itself seriously and, thankfully, never tries to. A franchise populated by characters named Mekaneck, Ram-Man and Fisto should embrace exactly what it is. Knight understands that better than anyone, even poking fun at the famous Prince Adam/He-Man disguise with a final gag that perfectly captures just how wonderfully ridiculous Masters of the Universe has always been.
And yet… there I was, smiling as the credits rolled.
Let’s hope it does enough on streaming to earn a sequel.
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