Cert – 12, Run-time – 2 hours 21 minutes, Director – Travis Knight
After 15 years, HR worker Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) returns to his home planet to find it nearly destroyed, the prince of Eternia must lead the fight against its scourge, Skeletor (Jared Leto).
Travis Knight is living out his childhood fantasies. With his live-action projects, outside of Laika, he’s made his action-figures and Saturday morning cartoons bigger and grander, while keeping the same imagination and spirit of adventure that was undoubtedly present when making up storylines as a kid. Masters Of The Universe feels like a feature length version of the sequences in Toy Story films where we see the fantasies in Andy or Bonnie’s mind before fading in to the child gleefully running around their bedroom.
There’s a self-awareness to this 2020s take on He-Man and co. Keeping some of the 80s style in tone, and score with Brian May helping Daniel Pemberton’s score, there’s a self-awareness to the film, acknowledging character names as the summaries of a ten-year-old trying to remember his homeland (aside from Skeletor). Names such as Ram Head and Fisto are heard with a raised eyebrow as Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) returns to his home planet of Eternia after 15 years on Earth, growing up and working in HR whilst trying to find the sword he lost on the way.
Perhaps the biggest sign of the film’s tone and style is in arch-nemesis Skeletor. Voiced by Jared Leto, sounding like Jemaine Clement, there’s a petulant attitude to the character who knows he’s the villain, knows he’s evil and enjoys being just that. Managing to feel like a threat while still effectively shaking his fist at the returned prince of Eternia and making frustrated exclamations. Just a few steps away from simply shouting “I’m going to get you He-Man!” this iteration of the character is pure 80s cartoon villain and he, and the film, are all the better for it.
While the fantasies on display could be trimmed closer to two-hours than two-and-a-half there’s still a solid entertainment factor to them. A consistent sense of family entertainment landing the right kind of PG-13/ 12 rating to prevent a dive into silliness or unfitting ultra-seriousness. Travis Knight is in touch with what this film should look and feel like, as are co-writers Chris Butler, Dave Callaham and Adam and Aaron Nee. The imagination on display in the bringing to life of Eternia and its medieval meets futuristic feel is treated with seriousness in order to capture that sense of fun.
There’s a sense that He-Man is very much a product of the 80s, it’s kept in the film yet the action and certain bits of self-awareness – 4 Non-Blonds get a more than welcome needle drop, one of many which bring a smile to the face – are present to help bring things to the modern day. It’s part of the overall enjoyment of the film and the fun there is to be had with it. When mixed with the action, with its own mixture that fits into the setting with both weapons and ships, a double-bladed ship is particularly cool; and suspenseful, there’s a good deal to like about this updated throwback that lives in the minds of those who at heart are still creating adventures with their cherished action figures.
A live-action action-figure adventure that’s self-aware but not silly, with enjoyable action and some good chuckles there’s consistent family entertainment within Masters Of The Universe which sees it through even a stretched run-time.
Just A Little Bit Random 