Masters of the Universe Reviews Say It’s A Fun Time, And That Jared Leto Is Surprisingly Good As Skeletor

Masters of the Universe, the second attempt at making a live-action He-Man film, feels like it has a lot working against it. It’s been almost 40 years since the Dolph Lundgren-led Masters of the Universe bombed at theaters in 1987, and it not exactly like He-Man as a property has retained its selling power in the years between.

That probably explains why the upcoming Travis Knight-directed version of Masters of the Universe, set to release worldwide on June 5, is actually the sixth attempt at producing a live-action He-Man film in the past four decades. The likes of John Woo, John Stevenson, Jon M. Chu, McG, David S. Goyer, and the Nee Brothers were all set to direct a He-Man film at some point in the last four decades. Kinda disappointed we didn’t get the John Woo version, but eternally thankful we didn’t get the McG one.

The main problem with Knight’s version in the eyes of many is the casting of the internet’s most hated actor, Jared Leto, who stars as Skeletor alongside Nicholas Galitzine’s He-Man. So, with everything it took to get here in mind, was the film worth the wait? As of this writing, Masters of the Universe is currently sitting at a 76 percent critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, which isn’t bad—however, the consensus isn’t uniform on this one.

There aren’t many 9s or even 10s to speak of, with the majority of positive reviews coming out as either 7s or 8s. And while many of the positive reviews laud Masters of the Universe for both its comedic approach and its faithful adherence to the He-Man lore, the negative reviews bash it for exactly the same reasons, as the humor isn’t landing for some and the references to the greater He-Man universe left those unfamiliar with the source material confused.

Sounds awfully similar to the reviews for Mortal Kombat 2 last month, in the sense that you’ll almost definitely love Masters of the Universe if you already love He-Man, but if you don’t…well, you probably weren’t going out to buy a ticket for Masters of the Universe anyway.

Mashable

In the end, Masters of the Universe is a wonderfully entertaining adventure that dodges the pitfalls that makes so [many] IP adaptations tedious. Knight delivers a colorful film with a point of view, not just a sales pitch. The nostalgia delivers thrills without treating its source material as a sacred text above critique or silliness. The cast is terrifically game to embrace Knight’s playfulness, especially [Idris Elba, who plays Man-at-Arms] in bumbling rogue mode. Galitzine shoulders the fight scenes and humor with aplomb, while Leto channels his over-the-top tendencies into a gloriously outrageous villain.  – Kristy Puchko

Variety

There are flashes of wit and amusing kitsch here and there — principally in Guy Hendrix Dyas’ suitably garish production design, which conjures a semblance of medieval splendor while never forgetting that this story’s natural world is plastic, and in composer Daniel Pemberton’s spirited revival of the fantasy-metal sound that defined the franchise’s original era. But it’s a nostalgia trip that never quite belongs to the present, and never rouses any real, cherished memory of the past. – Guy Lodge

Empire

This will appeal to small kids with its bold colors, big characters and utter lack of deep thought (how does Mekaneck’s blood reach his brain when his neck suddenly telescopes 20 feet?), and will appeal to adults who remember being small kids playing with action figures. Certainly, it’s vastly more fun than the misfiring 1987 attempt, and welcome proof that Hollywood has finally given up on making everything darker and more serious. – Helen O’Hara

Inverse

The idea of navigating your childhood hopes and fears, and incorporating those things into your adult life, is — somewhat appropriately for a movie based on an old cartoon — at the heart of the film. Not everyone who goes to see Masters of the Universe will have grown up with He-Man, but this film will make you wish that you did. And, at the same time, it’ll make you feel grateful that he’s back and quite literally, better than ever. – Ryan Britt

IGN

Masters of the Universe is so much funnier than I expected, and the fight scenes are choreographed and photographed in a way that gives the sequences just enough flair to make them stand out (even if they’re not revolutionizing superhero style fisticuffs on screen). While Nicholas Galitzine and Idris Elba provide the thematic structure to the film, Jared Leto’s Skeletor gives a delightfully weird and cartoonish energy to every scene he’s in. – Clint Cage

Deadline

Production values are top notch across the board, with standout work from production designer Guy Hendrix Dyas and a soaring score from Daniel Pemberton, with an assist from Brian May on guitar to help revive the sound of Queen from the 1987 film. Knight makes sure this is a loving return to a property that still provides a good time at the movies, and a reason to stay through the end credits. – Pete Hammond

Digital Spy

It’s too long and drags in the middle act, while the CGI is often ropey during the fight sequences. There are just too many times when it’s clearly not Galitzine’s face, which distracts from what are intended to be hero moments. It’s especially disappointing because the physical sets are often impressive. But given the movie you’re expecting from the trailers, Masters of the Universe is a genuine surprise that knows exactly what it is. It deserves a chance to deliver on the sequel teasers that come in the inevitable credit scenes and, by the power of Greyskull, we’ll be there if another movie does happen. – Ian Sandwell

TheWrap

Travis Knight’s Masters of the Universe is so blah, and so embarrassed of itself, that it could very well be the final nail in the coffin for 1980s nostalgia. We’re not scraping the bottom of the barrel anymore. We hit the bottom a while ago. Now we’re just dusting off the refuse and pretending it’s still fresh. It isn’t. By the power of Grayskull, this movie has a powerful odor. It stinks. – William Bibbiani

AV Club

Skeletor, high spirits, and the sheer volume of references to the old TV series (even in joke form) are signs that Knight and his crew do love this material—and with a sincerity the movie wants credit for without really justifying. They’ve simply made another likable kids’ movie secretly aimed at sentimental nostalgists; there’s not a 10-minute stretch of this project as well-written or well-designed as almost anything in the Netflix series She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. – Jesse Hassenger

The Hollywood Reporter

The performers appear to be enjoying themselves as they go through their silly paces, although it’s too easy to imagine them cracking up whenever the director yelled “Cut.” Leto, adopting a vague British accent, provides some amusing moments as Skeletor. Assuming that is Leto, of course, since his voice is disguised and we never see his features. Nice work if you can get it[…]But it all comes off as terribly forced, as if everyone involved was already trying to figure out exactly how much they’ll earn signing autographs at future Comic-Cons. – Frank Scheck

FilmHounds

The film is obviously hoping for franchise status[…]and while the game cast keeps the energy up as the film falls into bang bang bang punches, Knight never lets the action become too dull. Perhaps the biggest mark of the film’s success is just how much, once it’s done, you want to run out and buy the toys and make your own sequel in your bedroom. Rock ‘em, Sock ‘em Robots movie next? – Paul Klein

SlashFilm

One person who does seem to care is Jared Leto as Skeletor, who continues his campaign to star in every ’80s franchise he ever loved as a child here. While the actor seems to be doing a thinly veiled impression of Tim Curry in the role, he’s got a pizazz about him which really stands out amidst the rest of the cast, who’re saddled with too many shrug-and-snark quips. To be fair, the film’s little flashes of earnestness — in its message, its visual effects (Skeletor looks genuinely real in an uncanny fashion), its production design and its bombastic score — keep it from being a total failure. Is the film a mostly accurate version of the cartoon, jokey tone intact? Sure, but it also needs to tell a story, and at that, Masters of the Universe is powerless. – Bill Bria