He-Man review: Eternia brings the spectacle, but the story forgets to bring the magic 

Certain characters come with decades’ worth of nostalgia built into them, and He-Man is one of those rare pop-culture icons that doesn’t even need an introduction. When you mention the Sword of Power, Castle Grayskull, or Skeletor, folks from all ages immediately know the universe they are stepping into. For any new adaptation, the bigger challenge lies in how to honour that legacy, while simultaneously creating an exciting new experience for today’s audiences. 

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe get part of that equation right. However, it also serves as a reminder that having a giant sword, being physically fit, and having flashy action scenes can only take so much of the story. 

Taking place in the fantasy realm of Eternia, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe follows Prince Adam, a very unlikely hero, as he discovers his fate lies in becoming the fabled He-Man. With the Sword of Power in hand and a group of friends rallying behind him, Adam must prove himself worthy to battle the evil Skeletor and his army of darkness who wish to destroy Eternia. 

The hero’s journey has been simplified and remains steeped in many aspects of the tradition of epic fantasy narratives. There’s a chosen one, a powerful weapon, an evil villain, and plenty of battles standing between good and evil. A lot of action sequences have separated those who represent good from those who represent evil. The film does not fail due to the fact that we are familiar with the overall storyline. What makes the film less enjoyable than it could have been is the fact that the film does not provide the viewer with any surprises based upon how it has taken the same typical elements that all of us have seen before, and done so little with each one of those elements. 

Pacing seems fine; there is no element of boredom where one would go from an action sequence to another quickly, but there were many sequences that were based primarily on the action element without giving time for the characters in each sequence to develop any type of emotional reaction. Emotional moments arrive, but they don’t always land because the film spends so little time developing the relationships that are supposed to make us care. 

That said, director Travis Knight has done an excellent job creating a surrealistic style of filmmaking that utilizes classic heroic-fantasy-style film elements, while still remaining true to the actual events and the visual elements of his story. Instead of attempting to create an environment based upon realism in the story, the film, in many areas, leans towards the use of colourful imaginative imagery of the world, exaggeratedly large scale action sequences, and comic-book-style energy that completely flow into the viewer’s consciousness, creating a truly entertaining film, and sometimes overshadowing the somewhat ordinary written form of storytelling that has occurred as a result of the film’s creation. 

From a visual standpoint, it’s easily the film’s strongest element; the created world of Eternia is visually stunning, featuring a very colourful production design, impressive special effects and plenty of creativity. Castle Grayskull looks amazing, and the action scenes are epic enough to satisfy long-time He-Man fans. The world feels real and has a depth that adds to the sense of adventure in the film, even if the film does lack slightly in its plot. 

All of the voice cast members do an excellent job at performing their roles. Nicholas Galitzine plays Prince Adam/He-Man, and he brings a charming earnestness and makes for a likeable hero, even though at times the script does not allow him as much depth as he could have had. However, his transformation into He-Man provides some of the best moments of the entire film. 

Camila Mendes does an excellent job portraying Teela and exudes confidence and energy; she often seems more interesting than Prince Adam. Alison Brie has a lot of fun voicing Evil-Lyn, and she brings her character to life with her personality. 

The standout performance, though, is by Jared Leto as Skeletor. Skeletor is still over-the-top, with Leto’s performance being a good example of an over-the-top villain who knows how to be over-the-top. Leto is definitely chewing the scenery during his scenes, and he adds a lot to the film overall. 

Idris Elba adds weight to Man-At-Arms as an actor, but the main cast does a solid job by bringing life to Eternia with memorable characters, even if half of them had very little development in comparison to the bulk of the cast. 

The soundtrack matches well with the fantasy setting. The score is successful in heightening the action scenes, building up the action, and translating well the heroic feel of the property. There are no real standout pieces that will stick with you after the credits roll, but the score regularly provides a soundtrack for the adventurous nature of this film. 

The film’s biggest failing is being able to connect with you emotionally. The film is about destiny, friendship and heroism, but the film feels somewhat cold at times. The action is fine on its own, but the stakes are never as high as they could have been. A lot of major moments in the film are exciting, but are missing emotion to go with them. 

The humour is somewhat of a mixed bag. Some jokes are very organic; others feel out of place and seem more like mechanical devices than a part of the pacing of the film. None of the humour distracts from the film; however, the overall feeling is of the film trying to put too many types of film together at once. 

Ultimately, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is a fantasy journey that you can experience without quite delivering greatness. Fans of this universe are likely to appreciate the visuals, the quality of the worlds created, and the traits of iconic elements re-enacted faithfully. Casual viewers, however, may find themselves wishing for a stronger story beneath all the swords and sorcery. 

By the power of Grayskull, it’s entertaining enough. It just never masters the universe it seeks to rule. 

Rating: 2/5