The first reviews from the specialized press for the blockbuster "Masters of the Universe," based on the cult 80s franchise, have appeared online. As of publication, the film holds a 75% "freshness" rating on Rotten Tomatoes (92 reviews) and an average score of 52 out of 100 on Metacritic (30 reviews).
Most reviewers note that director Travis Knight ("Bumblebee") captured the spirit of the original and was not afraid to bring all the self-irony and kitschy aesthetics of the 80s animated series to the screen. Journalists praise the visuals, action scenes, and nostalgic charge.
Particular attention is drawn to Nicholas Galitzine as a "sweet but empty-headed jock" in the vein of Ryan Gosling from "Barbie," and Skeletor, played by Jared Leto, who steals the show with every appearance. Daniel Pemberton's epic soundtrack also received positive reviews.
However, some critics found the 142-minute runtime too long for a children's film, and the humor – intrusive. According to Variety, the film "is so overloaded with jokes about its own unfashionableness that at times it seems to apologize for its very existence." The Guardian called the film "a jumbled mess of conflicting tones," and the Daily Telegraph reviewer noted: "The film may be awful, but it seems the creators themselves realize it." Product placement also came under criticism: during scenes on Earth, one of the villains is defeated by an Amazon delivery truck.
"Masters of the Universe" is set to premiere in international cinemas on June 5, 2026.