He-Man and the Masters of the Universe review: No shame in being the weakest He-Man
Director Travis Knight’s envisioning of a vulnerable, non-macho He-Man may not appease traditionalists, but it’s in line with modern retellings of iconic characters. A better choice for He-Man and stronger drama could have resulted in more wholesome entertainment.
Rating: 
( 2 / 5)
By Mayur Lookhar
In the age of AI and such advanced technology, it’s almost unimaginable to think that a second live-action feature on He-Man is arriving after 39 years. Amazon MGM Studios has teamed up with Mattel Studios and Escape Pictures to produce He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (2026). Helmed by Travis Knight, and penned by the quartet of Aaron Nee, Adam Nee, Alex Litvak, and Michael Finch, the sword and sorcery film releases globally on 5th June.
He-Man is unique in the sense that it was introduced as a toy line by Mattel Inc. in 1982, and its popularity then compelled Mattel to start an animated TV series. Not only did toy sales shoot up, but in time, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe became synonymous with children globally.
As an ’80s kid, it was natural for this writer to be excited about the live-action film, in the hope that it will trigger nostalgia yet offer a unique experience.
Story
The modern retelling ought to trace the roots, where, in an unspecified period on planet Eternia, Skeletor (Jared Leto), the chief antagonist, makes another attempt to seize Castle Gray skull. He does manage to dethrone King Randor, but once again, he can’t lay his hands on the Power Sword. The King’s sorceress passes the sword to the little Prince Adam and transports him to Earth. 15 years later, Adam Glenn (Nicholas Galitzine) returns to Eternia to reclaim what is rightfully his throne. This Adam, though, is not what you expected.
Screenplay & Direction
Among the creative liberties, director Knight and his writers have ditched the traditional storyline in which the prince ascends to the throne; instead, it is the 15 years Adam spends on Earth that have shaped his personality. He had dropped into a pond in Oklahoma, but who looked after him is not really covered. All we see is a young man working a boring office job, though he spends most of his time researching his missing Power Sword. He even Googles it. Knight presents Adam as a huge fan who has drawn the characters from Eternia to preserve his childhood memories. For a brief moment, you do wonder: is he really Prince Adam, or just a fan daydreaming? By a stroke of miracle, he finds his sword in a toy store, but soon Skeletor sends Beast Man to retrieve it. Even after landing in Eternia, Adam Glenn’s gentle, non-macho persona surprises both his friends and foes.
Franchise loyalists will be divided over this new, emotional, vulnerable He-Man, and then we have the familiar inclusivity by placing non-White actors in traditionally white characters. Like it or hate it, such tropes are in line with modern retellings of iconic characters. Inclusive casting should be questioned in true stories and period drama, but if not fairy tales, fantasy, or superhero dramas, where else would one draw parity?
The problem with Knight’s He-Man, though, lies in its average writing and dull drama. There is little nostalgia for the traditionalists, while we’re not sure what impression this He-Man and the Masters of the Universe will leave on Gen Z and millennials.
Acting
Make no mistake, Nicholas Galitzine is a promising actor, as evident from his recent release The Sheep Detectives, but he doesn’t quite convince as He-Man. On Earth, he is barely taken seriously by his office colleagues; he ruins his date by often talking about Eternia and its history. And the apathy continues in Eternia, too. It almost seems like he’s trying too hard to convince people of his heritage. Man, or Superman, it’s eventually power that people respect. But then again, we weren’t quite convinced. Pin that on some poorly choreographed action sequences, and more annoying are his groans, which are more Tarzan-like than He-Man. For the sake of humour, Knight’s He-Man tries to talk his way out of trouble, just to bring out the man of peace in him. His jawline, cheekbone, and that smile – well, more than Prince Adam, he strikes as kin of Skeletor in flesh. Well, let’s not forget, though, that Keldor, aka Skeletor, is his uncle. To say that Galitzine is a misfit would be too harsh, but honestly, we just couldn’t connect.
You make peace with Idris Elba as Duncan, aka Man-At-Arms, to King Randor and Queen Marlena. But you can’t digest seeing Elba sleep next to his vomit in a dungeon. He is more convincing than Galitzine in action though. Camila Mendes fails to make much of an impression as Teela.
Kristen Wiig voices Roboto taking on the gender-swapped role of the mechanical warrior with a sincere performance that brings a fresh take to the traditionally male Heroic Warrior.
Playing Skeletor means you don’t have a face, but Jared Leto does Jared Leto things and is the only performer who evokes nostalgia. In another twist, Knight presents Skeletor as a threat to his own monsters too. Poor Evil-Lyn (Alison Brie) and others fear for their lives whenever Skeletor is around. The one other slightly menacing character is Kronis, aka Trap Jaw (Sam C. Wilson), but that again is purely due to the jawline.
You do experience nostalgia with Dolph Lundgren, the original He-Man from the 1987 film, making a special appearance.
Technical Aspects
Thin on drama, you’d at least hope that Knight and his technical team would make amends in action, but most of it just plays like a video game. Visually, too, the film is just too bright, with the orange, pinkish habitat Of Eternia rekindling memories of Ego’s planet from Guardians of the Galaxy.
Final Word
Travis Knight’s He-Man and the Masters of the Universe offer flashes of brilliance, but lacks consistent engagement. The lingering thought, though, remains: how this He-Man isn’t a brute, like his predecessors, and is perhaps the weakest He-Man in history. But there is no shame in it, and in fact, the film itself downplays the idea of He-Man or Macho Man. In the end, this He-Man does have the power, but he’d rather be known for a strong and compassionate heart. Well, will the fans buy into it?
