Masters Of The Universe 4K UHD Review
“Masters Of The Universe” entertains, but is too jokey.
Based on the Mattel toy line, 2026’s “Masters Of The Universe” is the second live-action adaptation (the first being the 1987 cult film). Much like that Dolph Lundgren starring take, this version seems bound to become a cult hit as well.
The fantasy feature begins with Eternos (the capital of Eternia) being invaded by Skeletor and his forces. Skeletor seeks the all-powerful Sword of Power, but The Sorceress manages to send the sword and young Prince Adam away to Earth to keep it out of Skeletor’s grasp. 15 years pass and a now adult Adam is living in Oklahoma City. Adam, who was separated from the Sword of Power upon arrival, continues to search for the sword. He manages to find it at a toy store and it is here his now adventure begins as Adam encounters Beast Man and his once childhood friend Teela. The three return to Eternia which is no longer a paradise under Skeletor’s rule. Adam’s homecoming isn’t exactly a welcome one as he appears less than heroic. With the Sword of Power in tow, however, Adam transforms into He-Man and maybe, just maybe, he can help remove Skeletor and company from power. Luckily, he has a few allies on his side including Teela, Beast Man, Man-At-Arms, Fisto, Roboto, Ram-Man and more.
When it was announced that director Travis Knight was attached to helm “Masters Of The Universe,” the prospect was mighty intriguing. Not only did Travis Knight make the best Transformers film with “Bumblebee” (another film based on a toy line), but he’s done tremendous work producing and directing LAIKA stop-motion animated films. With “Masters Of The Universe,” Knight and writers Chris Butler, Aaron and Adam Nee, and David Callaham really lean into the 80s roots of the franchise and create a flashy, colorful, lighthearted, fantasy action spectacle that comes across as someone playing with toys and playsets on a much grander scale. From a production standpoint, it’s a marvel to look at. The costumes, make-up, props, and physical sets really pop and make the world of Eternia feel immersive. Sure, there’s CGI abound too, but the attention to creating a physical world is what really stands out here.
The casting is on point and is what really makes ‘Masters’ work. Nicholas Galitzine understood the assignment and really put in the work to make Adam and He-Man believable. Camila Mendes steals the show as Teela while Idris Elba is clearly having a blast playing the drunk fallen hero (Man-At-Arms) seeking redemption. Jared Leto is nothing if not a controversial figure these days, but his performance as the villainous Skeletor received universal acclaim and for good reason. He brought the skeletal foe to life as best as anyone could.
Where “Masters Of The Universe” falls a bit short is with the humor. The writers follow the annoying trend of poking fun at the source material. For instance, you can probably guess just how many jokes there are about the character Fisto. The playful approach may work for some, but for others like myself it becomes grating. It’s understandable that the creative team didn’t want a serious tone, but at the same time, this is a franchise that means so much to so many people of all ages. It never made any sense to me for writers to mock the very source material and characters that you are making a movie about.
On the subject of the fans, there’s certainly plenty of fan service to be had here (although Moss Man is done dirty). Stay after the credits for a few enticing scenes and a kick ass song by The Darkness.
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 2.39:1 2160p. How does it look? The bright and colorful film is serviced well on 4K. This is a sharp transfer through and through.
Audio Track: Dolby Atmos. How does it sound? The Atmos track is as lively as one would hope. The action heavy feature puts the speakers to work.
Extras include “Behind-The-Scenes Promotional Gallery” (12 short promo pieces that cover the characters, world building, director, fight training, the franchise and more) and “Masters Of Light: Skies Of Eternia Drone Spectacle” (the “Masters Of The Universe” drone show).
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