Why is it so difficult for Mattel execs and Hollywood filmmakers alike to create a big-screen He-Man adventure that actually stays true to its original source material? But what is its actual canon, for that matter? Does it religiously follow the toy’s original mini comics? Is it one following the Filmation animated TV show? With the release of Masters of the Universe — not to be confused with the Dolph Lundgren version of 1987 — this modern-day take is currently bombing at movie theaters.
In its second weekend of wide release, Masters (20226) has dropped around 70 percent with an expected U.S. total of $47 million at the time of this writing. While that total doesn’t sound like the worst thing in the world, the fans have spoken by saving their money (but at least it isn’t a live-action adaptation of The New Adventures of He-Man).
With a reported budget around $200 million, its breakeven point expected around $425 million and its Rotten Tomatoes critics rating the film at 67 percent (for whatever that’s worth), this feature film is clearly underperforming. So, what exactly went wrong for the second big-screen bomb of the franchise?
You could say the fantasy genre may be a tough sell for Gen Z, which is one reason that demographic didn’t turn out at all. Or you could say the film’s media campaign barely compared to that of Mattel’s earlier film adaptation, Barbie, but I really don’t recall being overwhelmed by Masters‘ advertisements. What about the Jared Leto curse? Clearly, that continues, as the actor voices Skeletor here, balancing the silliness and the power of He-Man’s antagonist, but as the biggest name of the ensemble cast, the actor was purposely kept out of all publicity campaigns. Did he actually underperform with the role?
Maybe the movie simply cost too much to reawaken the franchise. Or the title could have had something to do with it, as “He-Man” is clearly omitted. Some actors were miscast (Nicholas Galitzine was OK as Adam, but Alison Brie’s Evil-Lyn needed a stronger performance). And maybe the early reviews touting a wimpy lead character, gender ideology, girl bosses and toxic masculinity didn’t actually belong in this kid’s movie.
Hey, Mattel: Give the fans what they want — it sure ain’t this!
Heroes unite… eventually in Masters of the Universe (2026). Photo Courtesy: Amazon MGM Studios
I watched Masters on a Thursday night with fewer than 10 people physically sitting inside my theater (including me). At times it looks like an Amazon movie (with shoddy special effects, especially whenever Trap Jaw or Skeletor speak) but it also feels like an Amazon movie (poor writing, race swapping of classic characters and woke culture), as well. Prince Adam is portrayed as a pansy of a man, an abject failure in life and homesick, to boot. I didn’t like any of these aspects.
There were also too many unfunny jokes and more curse words than I’d prefer in a kid’s movie.
That being said, I really wasn’t sure what canon elements Amazon MGM was trying to bring to the table. Was the Power Sword made up of two halves? Nope. Was Teela the daughter of The Sorceress (who doesn’t have much to do here)? I dunno. What about Skeletor being King Randor’s long-lost brother? Not really, although the audience really doesn’t know, as the character really doesn’t get a lot of time to shine and his background is never depicted on screen. More details are needed.
In fact, this was the character I wanted to know more about. I really didn’t understand if his skin, here, is made up of acidic molecules that burn people whenever he touched them, which seems to happen at different times on screen, or it’s something else altogether. And then the well-known characters of the toy line didn’t even use their listed names, although they are joked to be nicknames given by Adam as a youngster. Why? Just why?
I don’t know how much creative freedom director Travis Knight had with this release (I did enjoy Bumblebee, though), but there are six listed writers for Masters. I’ve got to say the woke attributes definitely turned off this reviewer, as well as the target demographic of Boomers in general, which is why the movie’s box office is so limp. It also makes me question what Amazon MGM Studios actually has in store for this franchise.
The production company has already stated its desire to release future live-action films (and a quick post-credits scene sets up a possible sequel storyline), but their premiere destinations could totally depend on how much money this one loses, whether it’s in movie theaters or on the company’s streaming service.
At this point in time, I’m betting on the latter. He-Man deserved better than this, Amazon.
The fans, the collectors and the people who keep spending their hard-earned paychecks on ancillary items deserved better than this. And the franchise deserves more than a streaming destination. First, Kevin Smith lit the franchise on fire at Netflix and now Amazon pretty much buries the once (and future?) pop-culture king.
Rest in peace, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Everyone deserved better than this.