Masters of the Universe Wins Critics Over Despite Some Flaws

The new live-action adaptation of Masters of the Universe is earning mostly positive reviews from critics, though many say the film’s ambitious return to the world of He-Man is not without shortcomings. Directed by Travis Knight, the PG-13 fantasy adventure begins Thursday night with preview screenings before opening in theaters nationwide on Friday.

Starring Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam and his heroic alter ego He-Man, the film also features Idris Elba, Camila Mendes and Jared Leto. The story follows Adam’s journey after being sent from Eternia to Earth as a child when the villainous Skeletor launches an attack on the kingdom in pursuit of the legendary Sword of Power. Separated from the weapon upon arrival, Adam spends the next 15 years searching for it before returning to a devastated Eternia, where his parents, King Randor and Queen Marlena, have been imprisoned and Skeletor rules over the realm.

With the help of his childhood friend Teela and the legendary warrior Man-At-Arms Duncan, Adam must harness the Power of Grayskull and lead a fight to reclaim his kingdom. The film draws on a franchise that began with Mattel’s iconic action figure line in 1982 and later expanded into animated series, films, comic books, novels and video games.

Following the lifting of the review embargo, Masters of the Universe holds a 77% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 35 reviews. While the Critics Consensus and audience ratings had not yet been published, early reviews suggest that critics appreciate the film’s playful tone, even if some believe it lacks confidence in its own source material.

Several reviewers praised the movie’s willingness to embrace the franchise’s inherently over-the-top nature. Liz Shannon Miller of Consequence described the film as a fun and entertaining take on the material, arguing that a lighthearted approach works better than a more serious interpretation. Donald Clarke of The Irish Times commended the film’s blend of retro cartoon aesthetics and self-aware humor, while Clint Worthington of RogerEbert.com called it an enjoyable underdog space adventure when it fully commits to its strengths. Nick Schager of The Daily Beast highlighted its appeal to longtime fans, and Empire Magazine’s Helen O’Hara said the film’s playful energy should help introduce a new generation to the franchise despite some narrative weaknesses.

Not all critics were convinced. William Bibbiani of The Wrap argued that the film lacks conviction and suggested it could mark a low point for the current wave of 1980s nostalgia projects. Edward Douglas of the New York Daily News criticized director Travis Knight’s handling of the material, while Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter felt the movie often resembles a parody rather than a serious fantasy adventure. AV Club critic Jesse Hassenger questioned some of the film’s themes, and Associated Press reviewer Lindsey Bahr suggested the movie might have benefited from fully embracing its cartoon roots instead of relying on self-referential humor.

Despite the mixed reactions, the overall response remains favorable, positioning Masters of the Universe as a nostalgic fantasy adventure that appears likely to satisfy many fans while leaving some critics divided over its execution.