‘Masters of the Universe’ Review: Becoming a He-Man
The New York Times • • entertainment
Key Points:
- The new "Masters of the Universe" movie, directed by Travis Knight and written by four writers, embraces the campy and goofy nature of the original 1980s Mattel toy line, blending self-awareness with sincere storytelling.
- The film opens with He-Man, aka Adam (Nicholas Galitzine), narrating his origins as the prince of Eternia and his exile to modern-day Oklahoma City, where he struggles as a salaryman obsessed with what others see as fantasy.
- Adam's mundane life shifts dramatically when he buys the Sword of Power and encounters a monstrous threat in a traffic jam, prompting his childhood friend Teela (Camila Mendes) to arrive with a trans-dimensional spaceship, signaling the start of their adventure.
- The movie continues the trend of self-aware corporate blockbusters, balancing humor and homage to the original franchise while appealing to both nostalgic fans and new audiences.