Movie Review: Masters of the Universe (2026) *No Spoilers*

This was a movie that I was always interested in but was never going to see in theatres. I think that's the same for a lot of people judging by how well Masters of the Universe didn't do at the box office, while, as I write this, it is the number two most popular new release on Amazon Prime Video in Australia.

In cinemas the reception seemed mixed but generally positive. The movie didn't seem to get bad reviews, rather reviewers said overall it was quite fun but flawed in what it was trying to be.

I would agree. It's very much a movie that doesn't really know its audience, and is really trying to have something for all ages while simultaneously not delivering fully for any age group.

It's too violent and adult for younger audiences (the ones that would play with the toys now) but not grown up and adult enough for older audiences (the ones who used to play with the toys back in the 80s).

It comes off as trying to be a family film, with things that a younger audience might find incredibly cool and awesome, while trying to sprinkle some grown up humor for the adults.

Despite that, there is a lot to like about it, and it is an entertaining film that moves along at a decent pace - with exception to the short time spent on Earth.

The premise sees a young Prince Adam (Artie Wilkinson-Hunt) of the planet Eternia, hurriedly sent to Earth with the Sword of Power to ensure neither are captured by an invading force. Years later a much older Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) finds his way back to Eternia to find the planet in ruin and ruled by the Evil Skeletor (Jared Leto).

I was surprised that the movie opened on Eternia and spent quite some time there before switching to Adam's time on Earth. It made the Earth section of the film seem even more unnecessary. That said, as someone who likes office humor, I did appreciate the satire on office politics and HR.

So many reviewers had said the Earth sequences was a way to ease general audiences into the world and lore of Master of the Universe however, by the time Adam gets there, his early life on Eternia has already introduced you to so much of what you need to know. In the end, the only reason for Earth is so Adam can grow up with good moral values.

Beyond that, I thought everything was on point, and really brought the world and its characters alive in a way that looked cool but still paid enough homage that the 'named' characters from the toys were easily recognizable, even if they weren't exactly the same with their costumes.

Although Jared Leto is a name that seems to keep people away from films these days, I wouldn't have even known it was him playing Skeletor if someone hadn't told me. It's such a good version of the character, that goes from humor to menacing with ease, and seems like a fresh take even though it very much draws on how he was performed in the original cartoons.

Nicholas Galitzine's Heman (and Prince Adam) is pretty great overall and does look the part. My only criticism is that he goes from being somewhat ineffective to a fighting force with no real bridge between those two states other than he gets the Power of Gray Skull.

I'm actually hoping this film will prove to be wildly popular on streaming to the point that maybe we get a straight to streaming sequel or, even better, a TV series. Now that the initial film is out of the way, I would love to see them expand on the IP with these characters and lore and a better understanding of who the film's audience is.

I do believe they really have something here with Masters of the Universe's combination of sword and sorcery combined with high tech space craft and robots. I'd definitely keep watching on a streaming service with a better story. I'm just not going to see it in cinemas.

This film is definitely the best live action version of Masters of the Universe so far. It's definitely worth seeing at least once if you were a fan of the toys or comics etc. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Unlike some other recent adaptations of the IP it delivers on giving Heman and Skeletor plenty of screen time. Teela (Camila Mendes) is the strong warrior you would expect without being in your face or over shadowing else anyone and their abilities.

Certainly worth your time if you have any interest in the toys or old cartoons now it's on Prime Video for no extra cost.