‘Masters of the Universe’ Is He-Mansplaining at Its Worst
Rolling Stone • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Mattel aims to replicate Barbie's box office success with a new Masters of the Universe film, targeting nostalgic Gen-X male audiences by balancing sincerity and snark in brand management.
- The film follows Prince Adam, who discovers his destiny as He-Man after being sent from the mythical world of Eternia to Earth and back, featuring classic characters like Skeletor, Teela, and Man-at-Arms.
- Despite nostalgic elements and familiar characters, critics note the movie leans heavily on generic CGI, overused snarky humor, and underutilized talent, resulting in a spectacle that feels more like brand promotion than cinematic art.
- The cast includes Nicholas Galitzine as Adam/He-Man, Jared Leto as Skeletor, Camila Mendes as Teela, Idris Elba as Duncan, Morena Baccarin as a sorceress, and Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, with mixed reviews on performances.
- The film runs 141 minutes and attempts to blend fantasy adventure with workplace comedy elements, but struggles to satisfy both nostalgic fans and new audiences.