What a time to be a sci-fi and fantasy fan (myself included)! Not only is Star Wars back on the big screen, but also Masters of the Universe after almost 4 decades.
Following their adventure in a galaxy far, far away, Matt, Harry and Luke Charlton journey to Eternia.
Guest post by the Charltons
Our second trip to the cinema in as many weeks, but this time, we ventured out to see Masters of the Universe.
I've got a long history with this franchise.
The original Filmation cartoons were released when I was 2 or 3 years old. I had the toys, and we borrowed the VHS from the video rental guy who drove around in his van every week. In fact, we borrowed this particular He-Man videotape so many times that he actually gave it to my mum and dad.
I've had the original cartoons on Apple TV for many years, I watch them every now and again - especially when I'm at my most vulnerable. They are what you would call my ultimate comfort blanket. Those days when I'm really struggling to function at all, I'll watch a few episodes of He-Man, forget the world for a bit, and just travel back to those very young times when nothing really mattered and I would get a story about good vs evil, morals, and consequences. It was a much simpler time - or maybe it wasn't, but it certainly felt like it to me.
When I heard they were making a new live-action movie, I didn't really know what to think. It was either going to be great, or it was going to be awful - and that sort of awful that ends up being great later, where people decide it's cool or whatever.
Casting-wise, Idris Elba as Man-at-Arms felt a strong choice, and he undergoes quite a strong arc in the film. Nicholas Galitzine was a perfect Adam, and an awesome He-Man despite a few people being mean about his stature and overall muscle density - he has presence, and he works it, he works it well.
Jared Leto didn't suck - in fact, he was pretty good as Skeletor. There were a few lines that I didn't get that I'm going to have to wait for the home release for, so I can stick subtitles on for but it was fun, and he didn't take himself too seriously; he captured the spirit of the iconic villain very well.
Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn was great, and you get the feeling there's more to see of her in the future.
Camila Mendes as Teela - perfect. She projected a strong, complex figure who had a lot to deal with; she's fantastic.
On Rotten Tomatoes, we're sitting at 66% critic and 88% popcorn. Very similar to The Mandalorian and Grogu, who are at 62% and 87%, respectively.
This is by no means a Citizen Kane (still haven't seen that) or a Godfather (I've watched that, it was very long), but it is a wonderful love letter to everything about Mattel's beloved franchise.
Easter eggs aplenty for the eagle-eyed fan, with callbacks to the 1987 Dolph Lundgren film (21% critic and 41% popcorn) and the Filmation series. So many moments of pure elation - and some really funny backstory parts - particularly around names.
Pacing is good, there isn't too much time before we see a transformation, and, unlike the 1987 movie, very little time comparatively is spent on Earth - and KFC definitely does not feature.
With
The Mandalorian and Grogu still fresh(ish). IMAX screens are booked up with that movie at the moment, so our local cinema was showing Masters of the Universe on screen 5. Screen 5 is tiny, less than 60 seats - there's no way I'm paying £50 plus £30 snack tax to watch it on something that feels only a little bigger than the living room TV, so we ventured to the Showcase Cinema Deluxe Leeds - about 15 mins away, but a little grander.
This is one of the old school dedicated cinema buildings, with 16 screens. Its grandiose lobby is a callback to releases past - in fact, I saw the midnight showing of every single Star Wars prequel trilogy release here from Star Wars: Phantom Menace to Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. It's had a makeover since then - every single seat not only reclines but also lies fairly flat - the space between the rows is something else, and you actually feel quite comfy.
It was the first trip there for the boys, and they've decided that they want to go there for Supergirl (don't you dare kill Krypto, James Gunn) and anything else we see this year.
I didn't know how Luke would be, and I only booked tickets yesterday - Harry has shown a little interest in He-Man before and wanted to go and see it, but I double-checked with Luke, and he said sure, he wanted to go. Every time I looked across at him, he was either laughing, smiling from ear to ear or totally engrossed in what was going on. He absolutely loved it. There was a little vomit scene, which I didn't realise (we had massive issues with a fear of vomiting last year), but he did amazing with it and it didn't phase him, so that's great progress.
Showcase gave us a small set of badges each, which are great. Snack-wise, it was good too, with the kids' movie box having popcorn, two different sets of sweets and a drink (which we upgraded to a blue raspberry slush). They also have Coca-Cola Freestyle, none of that Pepsi nonsense, so I guess that's another reason to head there.
The movie's runtime at 140 minutes didn't feel overly long - in fact, it felt like it was over before it started in some respects. Pacing was good, and director Travis Knight (Bumblebee) has an awful lot of love for all of it. Many of my childhood toys featured prominently, and it was great to see them in battles.
I might even go and see Masters of the Universe again, we'll see. Though the way things are going, I'll be able to buy it on digital in a month - it's not like it used to be, where there was a 2-year wait for a rental video release.
I'm sure I mentioned in the Mando review - we're a neurodivergent family - and I am autistic.
The final shot in the movie left me in floods of tears. I was overcome with emotion. Seeing the thing that brought me so much joy on a huge cinema screen ended up being too much. Tears of joy, tears of I don't know what - but definitely floods of tears.
There's an immediate credit scene, a mid-credit scene and then one final post-credits scene. It's definitely worth staying for all three.
I can only hope that this is just the beginning of the adventures in Eternia.
2026 is a fantastic year to be a moviegoer, and even better if you like what they're putting out at the moment, and I really do.
Until we meet again.......
Matt, Harry and Luke.
Have you seen Masters of the Universe? Let us know in the comments below.
