Masters of the Universe (2026) is entertaining, self-aware, but uneven. The pacing, the jokes, the grimness, and the drama are all over the place.

Still, it does a good job overall. You can pick through the hodgepodge and find real gems. At the same time, anyone familiar with the franchise will recognise elements from all its previous incarnations, even as this version remains distinct from the stories that came before it.

However, I think this is one of those franchises that would benefit from leaning harder into Marvel-movie tropes: more jokes after tense moments, more characters getting knocked out rather than killed, more fantastical or goofy designs that go unaddressed, and a stronger overarching villain.

I also think it needs better writing. Skeletor is almost perfect, but everyone else, especially Prince Adam, needs work.

The moment I realised that this movie was better than average but not excellent came during Prince Adam’s rallying speech. It needed to be on the level of the president’s speech in Independence Day, but instead, it was as awkward as a Gen Alpha brainrot to a baby boomer.