ReviewMasters of the Universe movie review: He-Man returns in a glorious, campy nostalgia trip
Nicholas Galitzine stars as He-Man beside Idris Elba, Jared Leto and Camila Mendes in a film that shows the 1980s hero still has the power
3.5/5 stars
Nicholas Galitzine provides the glistening torso of Adam, Prince of Eternia – He-Man’s unassuming alter ego – who returns to his homeworld after years in exile on Earth to defend Castle Grayskull against his skull-faced nemesis Skeletor, hilariously realised by an unrecognisable Jared Leto.
Idris Elba, Camila Mendes and the voice of Kristen Wiig lend their support, while Alison Brie all but steals the show as slinky sorceress Evil-Lyn.
It is easy to forget that the iconic animated series, which first aired in 1983, was conceived only after Mattel – the makers of Barbie – launched a toy line of muscle-bound action figures in the hope of competing with the success of Star Wars.
The mythological lore that blended sword-and-sorcery with science fiction came later, pitting He-Man against Skeletor in an ongoing battle for control of the magical Sword of Power – drawing heavily from established characters such as John Carter of Mars, Conan the Barbarian and Thor.