Inspired by a Mattel toy line as well as a 1980s Saturday morning cartoon series many of us look back on with so much nostalgic fondness, Travis Knight’s new film “Masters of the Universe” is colorful and enjoyable family entertainment that could have been better if it leaned even more into its campy nature. There’s a sense throughout this big summer blockbuster it really wants to go all out with the cheese, but too often retreats when it shouldn’t.
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It’s a big weekend for entertainment, as “Masters” arrives the same time as the new “Cape Fear” remake and another new season in the “Vampire Lestat” series.
The hit-or-miss screenplay — credited to four writers no less — holds back too often from tapping that ready and willing flamboyant vein, which might partially explain why it is a bit deficient in the kinds of punchy lines it needs to deliver. As is, you smile warmly in appreciation at the antics of its motley crew of likable heroes, or past heroes, but rarely laugh like you should at the dialogue given to its talented cast.
Yes, a few zingers hit their target, and some sly innuendoes tap into He-Man’s gay following. While these references will likely fly right over the heads of the younger set, there’s no denying that they perk up the film for the rest of us.
Still for those of with an abiding affection for psychedelic dreamscapes and landscapes of 1980s movies like “Flash Gordon,” or the kind of flawed characters we’ve met in “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Peacemaker,” Knight’s film does a bang-up job of making us feel like a kid again.
The biggest draw is Adam, aka He-Man, who’s played with cute nerdish insecurity and sincerity by Nicholas Galitzine (“Red, White & Royal Blue”). You can’t help but adore this nonconfrontational lonely guy and Galitzine is the ideal choice to play him. Adam’s a stranger who plunked to Earth from planet Eternia and he’s a refreshingly modest hunk who embraces his sensitive and empathetic side. (Never fear, the guy’s ripped and once he attains his special powers he shows off that incredible physique in a loincloth).
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Adam’s been shuttled off to Earth along with the coveted Sword of Power in the aftermath of evil Skeletor (Jared Leto, having a great time in the part) and his horrid denizens taking over his home planet and imprisoning his parents.
So far, all of this is good. Adam works in an HR department and rooms with a single guy who secretly watches weepy romantic dramas such as “The Notebook.” Nice touches in a film that celebrates veering away from toxic masculinity.
He gets reacquainted 15 years later with his Sword of Power along with childhood chum Teela (Camila Mendes), who’s brainier and brawnier than the majority of the guys, and his former Man-at-Arms Duncan (Idris Elba), the former protector of Adam’s family. Elba gives the role gravitas and depth.
A few other characters worth mentioning include Evil-Lyn (Alison Brie, mastering the eyeroll with perfect aplomb) who coddles and massages the massive ego of Skeletor, Cringer (my favorite), Adam’s talking greenish tiger who steers clear of conflict too, and even a sweet little cameo from Dolph Lundgren — who portrayed He-Man in 1987’s “Masters of the Universe.”
It all sets this origin story up for sequels. And with some tinkering, this could turn into a fun series. It’s got the right cast and the right director; now it just needs to surrender to its cheesy outrageousness.
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‘MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE’
2½ stars out of 4
Rating: PG-13; opens Friday in theaters
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