While the original iteration of “Masters of the Universe” cartoon came out in 1982, the re-runs were part of my childhood in the 1990s.
But, I missed the 1987 life-action flick and only had a vague point of reference for it’s existence.
Naturally, when the remake was being advertised, I decided to catch it as soon as our theater got it – and that’s what I saw last weekend.
Honestly, I think the new film has just enough elements from its animated roots paired with comically cringe moments and the perfect injection of nostalgia.
Not to mention, the soundtrack featured awesome remixes of blockbuster songs over the decades and a heavy serving of synthesizer-laced instrumental tracks.
I also have to admit that the villain warlock Skeletor might also be my favorite character on the big screen, too!
Masters is a sword-and-sorcery film based on the media franchise by Mattel.
It is the second live-action film adaptation after the 1987 film and has been in the works since 2009.
The film was directed by Travis Knight and written by Chris Butler, Aaron Nee, Adam Nee, and David Callaham.
Nicholas Galitzine stars as Prince Adam / He-Man, alongside Camila Mendes, Jared Leto, Alison Brie, James Purefoy, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Charlotte Riley, Kristen Wiig, Morena Baccarin, Sam Wilson, Stephen Adentan, James Wilkinson, Christiaan Bettridge,and Idris Elba.
It clocks in at 140 minutes long and is rated PG-13 for sequences of violence/action, some suggestive material, and language.
In Eternos, the capital city of the planet Eternia, young Prince Adam and his friend Teela are trained in the art of battle by chief of the royal guard and Teela’s father Duncan (Elba).
The city is attacked by forces led by the evil warlock Skeletor (Leto), who takes Adam’s parents King Randor (Purefoy) and Queen Marlena (Riley) prisoner, while Duncan is gravely injured by mercenary Trap Jaw (Wilson).
The Sorceress (Baccarin), guardian of Castle Grayskull on the outskirts of Eternos, helps Adam escape by opening a portal to Earth, Queen Marlena’s homeworld.
She entrusts Adam with the Sword of Power, reminding him to never let go of it.
Adam escapes through the portal, but loses the sword in the process.
Fifteen years later, a now adult Adam (Galitzine) is working for a Human Resources company and living with his friend Hussein in Oklahoma City.
Adam has become obsessed with finding the sword, and spends much of his time drawing pictures of people and places in Eternia.
Adam finally tracks down the sword at a comic book store and reclaims it, only to be attacked by Skeletor’s lieutenant Beast Man.
Teela (Mendes) alerted to Adam’s whereabouts after he touched the sword, arrives to rescue him, and the two escape in her ship back to Eternia.
Upon arrival, Adam is distraught to see the ruin that has come to Eternos.
He is initially dismissed by the warriors of Eternia as a nobody, before he and Teela are thrown into a prison cell.
That’s where a disheveled Duncan is being held as drunk-and-disorderly along with Roboto, a former combat robot reprogrammed as a servant.
The four escape and convince the warriors, including Fisto (Jóhannesson), Ram-Man (Zhang), Dian (Bettridge), Moss Man (Adentan) and Mekaneck (Wilkinson), to trust them.
They are attacked by Skeletor’s forces, and Adam uses the sword to summon the power of Grayskull, transforming into a heroic warrior.
Unfortunately for Adam, Skeletor’s obsession with obtaining the sword is all-consuming and the warlock refuses to quit!
Overall, CGI definitely helped Masters of the Universe make an entertaining transition from animation to real life and it’s worth catching it all on the big screen.
Also, there are a few extra tidbits during the credits that you should watch out for!
