Masters of the Universe – Movie Reviews by Ry!

Masters of the Universe – Heroes of Eternia: I have the POWER!!!

Think back to the times when, you would wake up, grab some cereal and watch your Saturday morning cartoons.  It was the moment you waited for all week, that whimsical escape into an epic fantasy.  For many, this is a feeling that breeds remembrance, a nostalgia that creeps in when you walk into the theaters (years later) and see that same fantasy on the big screen.  In this review, I look at the latest adaptation of a popular Saturday morning cartoon.  From childhood memories, we embark on a journey of unique ambition.  Even when the film uses typical fantasy tropes, Masters of the Universe is a fun escape that shows what it means to hold the power of Grey Skull.

From unimaginable realms of heroes and kings, a young man must find his path as a hero to save his home, Eternia.  Through many situations and genres, a way to grip the audience is through the use of nostalgia.  That unique trait becomes a trigger, one that can pull anyone (including me) into a place of pure joy.  It is that feeling that can swell expectations to a point of blindness of the experience.  As a person fond of many things from childhood, you see what you want to see … even if nuance is there.  For this film, it becomes a matter of capturing that essence while trying to be genuine in its own right.  The story begins with a slow building prologue, introducing everyone to the world of Eternia and Prince Adam when he is a child.  After a series of character setups (you can view the list of those involved at the film’s IMdb page – link), we move into the present where we find Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) as a young adult living in exile on Earth.  After a few more scenes of aloof humor and action, Adam finds his way back to Eternia.  From here, we embark through your typical ‘heroes quest,’ where he teams up with the surviving champions to face Skeletor (Jared Leto) and bring peace back to the realm.   On the surface, the linear directive builds a story that is rife with predictable archetypes, tropes and situations that are familiar in any fantasy film.  But, as the journey continues, it is cascaded with gravitas through colorful set pieces and unique character designs.  Seeing Prince Adam try to find his purpose among those that have forgotten him creates a charm to the aloof moments, building an orthodox feel to the typical nature of the hero’s quest storyline.   The campy dialogue and cringy interactions ironically capture the fun of the cartoon.  It is this spark that breaks through the fantastical foundation that leads us feeling the might of the hero … and vileness of the villain.

As Prince Adam continues on his path, the novice hero faces unexpected and dire situations.  These moments create another layer of the hero’s quest by bridging it to the ‘fish out of water’ mantra, providing a unique counter with the conflict with Skeletor.  The struggle pierces through the ambiguity of power, providing a complexion that layers personality that makes you feel charm and fear from the villain.  All of this leads to a mirrored reflection filled with consequences, building to a third act of epic action sequence, a confrontational climax and redemption like epilogue.  Masters of the Universe is a fantasy film filled with enough charm for a good time.  If you are fan of the property, hero tales or fantasy, this is one for you.  For everyone else, it is a childhood that can be worth reliving on the big screen.

Full Score – 3 out of 5 (Theater Discount)