Masters of the Universe (2026) Review/Thoughts
The Problem With Modern Blockbusters
★☆☆☆☆
WARNING: I am absolutely not the target audience for this, and honestly you’ll probably like it more than I did. It’s very aware of how unserious it is which makes it work in its favor. And right off the bat, Jared Leto as Skeletor? Genuinely the best thing here!
BUT…
This movie feels like it took a checklist of everything I don’t love about modern blockbusters. The movie said: “What if we just did all of that at once?” Every time the film gets even a little close to sincerity it is immediately undercut with humor. It’s like the movie is afraid you might feel something for more than three seconds. Just holding my hand along the way. I wanted to just experientially laugh with the audience but the movie just didn’t do it for me.
After being separated for 15 years, the Sword of Power leads Prince Adam back to Eternia, where he discovers his home shattered under the fiendish rule of Skeletor. To save his family and his world, Adam must join forces with his closest allies, Teela and Duncan/Man-At-Arms, and embrace his true destiny as He-Man — the most powerful man in the universe.
It could explore themes of masculinity and I believe people will point that it is “supposed to be dumb fun,” but at some point the visuals look like a loading screen that never fully renders. (maybe intentional?) If the humor lands for you, you probably won’t care. If it doesn’t…you will definitely notice.
That’s kind of the whole experience, honestly. I went in fully prepared to not take it seriously and somehow still came out underwhelmed. Instead, it felt like I was watching everyone else have a great time from across the room.
I can see why fans of the franchise will eat this up. (not talking down but more of it’ll work for you) It leans hard into that chaotic-energy that is very Dungeons and Dragons, adjacent in the way it embraces its own absurdity. It knows exactly who it’s for. I’m just…not that person.
The predictability and the “wink at the camera” tone just wore me down. The fan service is lost on me and I wish I was more offended but it just didn’t land which is arguably worse.
