MOVIE REVIEW | Masters of the Universe – For as long as I can remember, He-Man has been my hero.
I was exactly the right age when He-Man and the Masters of the Universe first burst onto television screens in the 1980s. At around six years old, and like countless kids of that era, I was completely obsessed. I had the toys, the Sword of Power, the costumes — if it had anything to do with He-Man or She-Ra, I was all in.
So, to say I went into Masters of the Universe with high expectations would be an understatement.
The good news? Director Travis Knight has delivered a film that understands exactly what made the original series so beloved while successfully bringing it into the modern era.
At its heart, this is still the story fans know and love. Prince Adam returns to Eternia and embraces his destiny as He-Man in a battle against Skeletor and his forces. More importantly, the film never loses sight of the mythology and characters that made the franchise a phenomenon in the first place.
The major players are all here. He-Man, Teela, the Sorceress, Duncan/Man-at-Arms, Roboto, Ram-Man and many more familiar faces make appearances throughout the film.
On the villainous side, Skeletor, Evil-Lyn, Beast Man and Trap Jaw are all present and accounted for. Even Cringer gets his moment, alongside a couple of surprises that longtime fans will absolutely appreciate. Some of those moments are best left unspoiled, but trust me when I say there are several occasions where audiences who grew up with the franchise will be grinning from ear to ear.
What impressed me most is how much respect the filmmakers clearly have for the source material. This isn’t a film embarrassed by its roots. Instead, it embraces them, creating what feels like a genuine love letter to the original cartoon series.
The biggest difference between the cartoon and this new adaptation is the tone.
While the original series certainly had humour, this film leans much more heavily into comedy. The closest comparison is probably something like Men in Black — the stakes are serious, but there’s a consistent sense of fun running throughout. Set firmly in 2026, the film reimagines the world of Eternia and its characters for modern audiences while maintaining the spirit of what came before.
Some die-hard fans may find the lighter tone a little unexpected, particularly if they were hoping for a darker fantasy epic. For me, however, it worked. The humour never undermines the story, and it helps make the film accessible to a new generation who may have little or no familiarity with He-Man.
That raises an interesting question: how will audiences who didn’t grow up with the franchise respond?
I suspect they’ll enjoy it just fine.
Even without decades of nostalgia, Masters of the Universe stands on its own as an entertaining fantasy adventure. The action sequences are impressive, the visual effects bring Eternia to life beautifully, and the cast fully commits to the material. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or completely new to the universe, there’s plenty here to enjoy.
And yes, for those of us who have spent years trying to forget the 1987 Dolph Lundgren adaptation ever happened, there may just be a small nod to that film. When it happened during my screening, it received one of the loudest reactions from the audience all night.
Ultimately, Masters of the Universe succeeds because it remembers what made He-Man special in the first place. It’s exciting, funny, heartfelt and packed with the characters and mythology fans have cherished for over four decades.
For longtime fans, it’s the big-screen adaptation we’ve been waiting for. For newcomers, it’s an entertaining introduction to one of pop culture’s most enduring fantasy worlds.
By the power of Grayskull, it was absolutely worth the wait.
Masters of the Universe – in cinemas 4 June, 2026
Link to Sony Pictures HERE
TV Central Movie Reviews HERE
TV Central Movie Previews HERE
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MOVIE REVIEW | Masters of the Universe
Rating
Aaron: 10 / 10 “By the power of Grayskull, this is the Masters of the Universe movie fans have waited decades to see.”
Zak: 9 / 10 “As someone with no childhood connection to He-Man, I had a blast—funny, exciting and surprisingly easy to jump into..”
In MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE, Director Travis Knight brings the legendary franchise back to the big screen in this epic live-action adventure. After being separated for 15 years, the Sword of Power leads Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) back to Eternia where he discovers his home shattered under the fiendish rule of Skeletor (Jared Leto).
To save his family and his world, Adam must join forces with his closest allies, Teela (Camila Mendes) and Duncan/Man-At-Arms (Idris Elba), and embrace his true destiny as He-Man — the most powerful man in the universe.
Cinema Experience:
A trip to the movies should be more than just watching a film, and Event Cinemas Innaloo certainly knows how to create an experience.
Attending the special Masters of the Universe preview event was a fantastic night from start to finish. From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere was electric. The themed red carpet experience, complete with photo opportunities, costumed characters and fun interactive displays, immediately set the tone for the evening. The attention to detail was impressive, and fans had plenty of opportunities to immerse themselves in the world of Eternia before the film even began.
The themed extras were a lot of fun. Whether it was posing for photos with characters from the franchise, attempting to pull the Sword of Power from the boulder, or simply soaking up the excitement among fellow moviegoers, the event felt genuinely special. Even the colourful Skeletor-themed cocktails and refreshments added to the occasion. As someone who doesn’t normally drink alcohol, I still appreciated the creativity and presentation that helped bring the event to life.
Before the screening, we enjoyed a meal at the restaurant within the Innaloo complex. The food was excellent, the service was friendly and efficient, and it provided the perfect start to the evening.
Once inside the cinema, the premium experience continued. Watching the film on the massive VMAX screen was spectacular, with crystal-clear visuals and immersive sound that made every battle sequence feel larger than life. The seating was exceptionally comfortable, allowing us to settle in and enjoy the film in complete comfort.
Perhaps most importantly, every staff member we encountered throughout the night was welcoming, professional and enthusiastic. Their efforts helped ensure the entire event ran smoothly and contributed greatly to the positive atmosphere.
Event Cinemas Innaloo continues to set a high standard for moviegoing in Perth. Whether you’re attending a special premiere event or simply catching the latest blockbuster, the combination of excellent facilities, great food, comfortable seating and outstanding customer service makes it one of the best cinema experiences in the city.
