Masters of the Universe review – Marvel Thor rip-off lacks the power | Films | Entertainment

Following the success of Barbie, Mattel has adapted another one of its classic toy franchises for the big screen in Masters of the Universe. But given it’s an 1980s kids franchise that’s largely unknown to today’s youngsters, just who is this movie for?

Amazon MGM Studios’ script (with four scribes) appears to have taken inspiration from the Marvelisation of Hollywood, but turning this swords and sorcery tale into an action comedy reminiscent of the first Chris Hemsworth Thor film. The story follows the muscle-clad Prince Adam of the planet Eternia, who ends up on Earth with his Sword of Power. The only problem is, much like Marvel’s Asgardian, is that he’s misplaced the blade and has been stranded for 15 years.

Living in Oklahoma City, Adam (played innocently and comically by Nicholas Galitzine) leads a boring life in the HR department while dreaming of finding his sword so he can return home. When he does, the lost Prince, aka He-Man, returns to his father King Grayskull’s (James Purefoy) desolated kingdom that is now under the rule of the skull-faced sorcerer Skeletor. Teaming up with Camila Mendes’ Teela and her father, Idris Elba’s Duncan, among other Asgardian-types, they set off to reclaim the throne.

Much like a Thor Marvel movie, there’s plenty of blade-wielding action and (hit and miss) comedy in this Travis Knight-directed flick. This includes a full embrace of the camp aesthetics, while unsubtly taking a dig at the silliness of it all, from He-Man’s skimpy wrestler outfit to the talking tiger and robot. The ever-controversial Jared Leto (who was absent from the press tour) is particularly amusing as the hammy Skeletor, pontificating at his followers with a posh British accent. Sadly, most of the gags with his sidekick Evil-Lyn (Alison Brie) fall flat, as He-Man and the others rely on eye-rolling innuendo involving personal swords and even fisting. Isn’t this supposed to be a family film?

Having kicked off as promising as a Phase 1 Marvel movie, sadly, Masters of the Universe outstays its welcome with an overlong run time of 141 minutes, thanks to several scenes that could have been cut. It’s fun in places – and Sir Brian May’s 80s electric guitar riffs rock – but mostly forgettable, even with the three end credits scenes promising what could be possible if a sequel ever gets greenlit.

Masters of the Universe hits cinemas on Wednesday.