🚨 SPOILER ALERT: Major plot points and character details from Masters of the Universe (2026) lie ahead. 🚨
Last night, one of my best friends and I headed to the theater for something I’d been super looking forward to and he well, he just wanted to hang out, awesome guy that he is: Masters of the Universe.
Going in, I had realistic expectations. I wasn’t expecting The Lord of the Rings. I wasn’t expecting Oscar-worthy dialogue.
And honestly?
I got exactly what I expected.
Some of the dialogue is downright terrible. There are moments so awkward and cheesy that you can’t help but laugh.
But you know what?
I absolutely loved it anyway.
And if you’re looking for the perfect excuse for a nostalgic guy night, this movie delivers.
One unexpected highlight of the night was experiencing Masters of the Universe in ScreenX. I’d heard about the format before, but seeing Eternia stretch across three walls was something entirely different. During several scenes, the side panels expanded the world far beyond the main screen, making battles and landscapes feel larger than life. It honestly felt like sitting inside the movie instead of simply watching it. The format may not magically improve awkward dialogue, but it absolutely amplified the spectacle and nostalgia. If you’re planning a trip to Eternia, I highly recommend experiencing it in ScreenX if your local theater offers it.
A Franchise That Defined Childhood
As a kid, I was obsessed with Eternia.
I owned almost every action figure. He-Man. Skeletor. Man-At-Arms. Beast Man. Trap Jaw. Mer-Man.
Like so many kids growing up in the 1980s, I spent countless hours creating my own adventures with those toys.
So walking into the theater last night wasn’t just seeing a movie.
It was stepping back into my childhood.
Nicholas Galitzine, Jared Leto, and a Cast Having Fun
What the film lacks in polished writing, it more than makes up for with a cast that looks like they’re having an absolute blast.
Nicholas Galitzine embraces both Prince Adam and He-Man.
Camila Mendes makes an excellent Teela.
Idris Elba brings gravitas to Man-At-Arms.
Alison Brie shines as Evil-Lyn.
Morena Baccarin brings warmth and wisdom as the Sorceress.
And Jared Leto?
He goes completely over the top as Skeletor.
And honestly, that’s exactly what Skeletor should be.
“I HAVE THE POWER!”
The entire price of admission became worth it during one scene.
Prince Adam raises the Sword of Power and finally proclaims:
“By the Power of Grayskull… I HAVE THE POWER!”
The theater erupted.
People applauded.
For a few beautiful seconds, everyone became kids again.
That moment wasn’t subtle.
It wasn’t sophisticated.
It was pure fan service.
And it worked.
Easter Eggs, Dolph Lundgren, and Shredding Guitars
For longtime fans, the movie is packed with rewards.
My favorite surprise?
Seeing Dolph Lundgren appear.
Watching the original 1987 He-Man pass the torch felt surprisingly emotional.
There are wonderful nods to Highlander, references hidden throughout Eternia, and subtle callbacks to the original Mattel toy line.
And the music?
Fantastic.
Heavy guitars.
Arena-rock energy.
Themes inspired by the Filmation series. Listening to an epic version right now while I write this:
And an end-credit song by The Darkness featuring Brian May of Queen that sounds like it came straight from 1983.
The Real Power Was Never the Sword
During the drive home, I jokingly told my friend:
“Maybe this cartoon is why I’m a little messed up.”
We laughed.
But beneath the cheese, camp, and awkward dialogue, the movie struck a surprisingly deep chord.
The story repeatedly reminds us that the Sword of Power isn’t what makes Adam special.
It’s simply a conduit.
The strength.
The courage.
The sacrifice.
The power.
It was already inside him.
There is something profoundly true about that.
So much of life is spent waiting for some external sword—a title, money, success, approval, or ideal circumstances—to finally make us enough.
But maybe God already placed greatness within us.
Maybe we simply need to recognize who we really are.
As Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf once taught:
“Our Heavenly Father sees our true potential. He knows things about us that we do not know ourselves.”
Like Prince Adam, we often forget who we truly are.
Was It Worth It?
As the credits rolled, my friend turned and asked:
“So…was it worth it?”
I pointed between us and answered:
“THIS was worth it.”
Not the special effects.
Not the reviews.
Not the dialogue.
This.
The laughter.
The nostalgia.
The memories.
Movies like Masters of the Universe aren’t meant to be dissected by critics.
They’re meant to be experienced with people you love.
If you need an escape, a laugh, and a giant dose of childhood nostalgia, grab a friend, buy the oversized popcorn, and spend a couple hours back in Eternia.
Because sometimes being a kid again is exactly what we need.
Caption: Masters of the Universe (2026) proves that some heroes never really leave us.
Final Rating
⭐⭐⭐½ / 5 Action Figures
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5 Guy Night Experience
By the Power of Grayskull!
— Jared Harding Wilson
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An enthusiastic movie review introduction that prepares readers for major spoilers while inviting them into a detailed discussion of plot twists, characters, and cinematic highlights. 🎬✨🍿
Thanks, Sadie! I appreciate the compliments! 😇🙏