Skip to main content

Masters of the Universe (2026)


Masters of the Universe is directed by Travis Knight, known for Kubo and the Two Strings and Bumblebee, and while the film is competently made, it often struggles with execution. The action sequences look impressive on the surface, but many of the larger one vs. many fights suffer from a common problem where enemies appear to stand around waiting their turn to attack. The script, written by Aaron Nee and Adam Nee, known for The Lost City, takes the story in a direction that feels at odds with what many audiences might expect from a Masters of the Universe adaptation. Rather than embracing the larger than life heroic fantasy at the center of the franchise, the film spends much of its time deconstructing its protagonist in ways that don't always serve the story.

Nicholas Galitzine, known for The Idea of You and Red, White & Royal Blue, plays He-Man and does what he can with the material. The character is written in a way that often undermines the masculinity associated with the role, but Galitzine remains likable and charismatic throughout. The shortcomings of the character stem more from the script than from the performance itself.

Camila Mendes, known for Riverdale and Do Revenge, plays Teela and is given a prominent role in the story. She performs the part well enough, though the character is written with such certainty and competence that she rarely feels challenged by the events around her. As a result, some of the relationship dynamics feel less natural than they should.

Idris Elba, known for The Beast of No Nation and Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, feels surprisingly restrained here. Elba is usually able to elevate weaker material through sheer presence, but this role gives him little opportunity to showcase the charisma and energy that make him such a compelling performer. The result is one of the more annoying performances in the film.

The real highlights come from the villains. Jared Leto, known for Blade Runner 2049 and Dallas Buyers Club, fully commits to Skeletor's theatrical nature and brings a welcome sense of fun whenever he appears. Alison Brie, known for GLOW and Community, is equally entertaining as Evil-Lyn, delivering a performance that balances ambition, menace, and charisma. It is somewhat surprising that the antagonists emerge as the most compelling characters in the movie, and they consistently inject life into scenes that otherwise feel flat.

Overall, Masters of the Universe is a film with solid production values and a handful of entertaining performances, but it struggles with CGI and to capture the spirit that many fans associate with the franchise. The villains frequently outshine the heroes, the action is inconsistent, and the story often feels more interested in modern commentary than embracing the fantasy adventure at its core. Masters of the Universe is watchable, but it never becomes the epic adaptation it could have been. Result: C

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Forgotten Island (2026)

Forgotten Island is another animated misfit-girl movie, this time pairing a rebellious, misunderstood girl with a nerdy, misunderstood girl. It feels like another Turning Red , Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken , or Nimona , and this is starting to become a pretty obvious trope. Not every animated movie needs to revolve around an outcast girl discovering herself while everyone else fails to understand her. The movie also leans into the isekai trope, sending its characters into another world, but the writing never does enough to make the familiar premise feel fresh especially with the predictable betrayal. Thankfully, the animation is great, and the cinematography does an excellent job making the world visually interesting. The directors also seem to think they are Edgar Wright , with transitions that occasionally feel more interested in showing off than serving the story. H.E.R. delivers the best performance of the main cast, bringing plenty of personality to her character. Unfortunately,...
Post a Comment
Read more

Animals (2026)

Animals is written and directed by Ben Affleck , who has shown with films like Argo and The Town that he can be a solid filmmaker when everything comes together. Unfortunately, Animals is all over the place. The movie is filled with race pandering, victim blaming, West-hating dialogue, and situations that fall apart if you spend more than five minutes thinking about them. The characters frequently make decisions that do not make sense, and the story struggles to convince you that any of this is unfolding naturally. Ben Affleck is equally inconsistent as an actor. There are moments when he is on point, but others where he veers into overacting. His crying, in particular, feels more annoying than emotionally convincing. Instead of making the audience feel what his character is going through, the performance can pull you right out of the scene. It is frustrating because Affleck has demonstrated that he can deliver much stronger performances, but this is not one of them. Gillian Ande...
Post a Comment
Read more

Angel and the Badman (2026)

Angel and the Badman is a remake directed by Julio Quintana , bringing a new take on the classic Western originally associated with John Wayne . This version stars Zachary Levi and Neal McDonough , two actors who have often been described as blacklisted in Hollywood. The movie takes a different approach from what you might expect, placing less emphasis on action and more on its underlying message. While there are a few scenes that could have been shortened, I can understand what Quintana was trying to accomplish with this remake. Zachary Levi , best known for Chuck and Shazam! , is charismatic and fits the role well. His portrayal of John Wayne's original character gives the film a different personality without making it feel like he is simply trying to imitate Wayne. Levi carries the movie effectively, and his performance is one of the main reasons the remake works as well as it does. Neal McDonough , known for Band of Brothers and his many villain roles, brings a sinister q...
Post a Comment
Read more