Meet the True Skeletors of Pop Culture

There are two Skeletors lurking in the corners of our pop culture playground. First, we have the classic Saturday morning cartoon villain who sends Gen-Xers and some elder Millennials down memory lane with a fond smile. This Skeletor grins and plots his way through episode after episode, where inevitably, He-Man comes in to save the day by kicking his bony butt. Then we have the internet’s version of Skeletor, a funnier, sassier chaos maker who’s always ready to snark about whatever nonsense life throws his way. He’s both a supervillain and a meme legend!

Travis Knight’s Vision

Now, here comes Travis Knight with his take on Masters of the Universe, and it’s a delightful cocktail of cute nostalgia and a dash of post-modern comedy. You see, he’s trying to meld the cherished kids’ cartoon that most kids today probably think is as ancient as a relic from a dinosaur’s playroom, with a comedic twist that winks at its own absurdity. And love him or hate him, Jared Leto knocks it out of the park as Skeletor. Together with Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, they steal the show more times than a thief at a jewelry store when the lights go out.

A Bumpy Ride for Eternia

Now, the part with Skeletor? Pure gold! It walks a tightrope of goofy tones that somehow works. However, the rest of the flick struggles a bit. It wants to be that good old-fashioned ‘80s adventure that Knight covets, but also bows down to the safer, more corporate Marvel-esque flicks that Amazon and Mattel wish it could be. You know, more sparkle, less grit. Knight, being a nostalgia buff from the shoulder pad days, wants to serve us a hearty plate of ’80s goodness, cruisin’ on the vibes of children’s toy commercials and dreamlike adventures.

Not Quite Barbie, but Almost

But here’s the kicker: He-Man ain’t Barbie. Barbie spans generations and tugs at the hearts of many young girls, teaching them how to navigate femininity. He-Man, on the other hand, is a relic of a time when kids were busy squabbling over who could be the buffest warrior while Ronald Reagan was sipping a cup of coffee. In trying to shape Masters of the Universe into a self-aware narrative about growing up and understanding the world, I wonder if the filmmakers left enough magic for today’s kids to grasp why their dads (or their older brothers) were so obsessed with He-Man in the first place!

The Adventure Awaits

Knight’s heart is in the right place, creating glorious throwbacks to the nostalgia-fueled He-Man that battles Skeletor, and the film captures this essence beautifully in moments. Eternia is introduced with a delightfully synth-heavy score that could make even your grandma feel a tingle of excitement. The production design? It’s like stepping into a child’s imagination full of wacky castles and colorful warriors. It even has a sprinkle of The Neverending Story magic, but juiced up with modern flair!

Fast Forward to the Real World

But hold onto your swords! Before we know it, we leap to the present where young Adam is now a late-twenties Earthling with an utterly snooze-fest job. Despite having a super chill roommate and some kind of dating life, he’s still stumbling through conversations about magic swords and talking green CGI cat sidekicks – not exactly a pick-up line that seals the deal, huh?

A Journey Through Masculinity

Sure, the time jump does some heavy lifting for the story, but it also highlights a weird tonal push-and-pull. The movie wants to be a thrilling adventure while also poking fun at adults who just can’t let go of their toys, particularly around the notions of macho masculinity that Adam finds himself tangled up in.

The Joy of Adventure, Old and New

When Masters of the Universe hits the mark, it serves up that charming kid-centric fantasy deliciously. It’s meant to tickle the imagination, with our hero turning from a wimpy lad into a muscle-bound warrior. Galitzine, playing Prince Adam, even manages to bring some depth as he dons those tight superhero outfits, swinging swords and zapping enemies with charm.

Villains Stealing the Show

Yet, the real fun is with the villains! Leto’s Skeletor is a riot, while Brie serves up wild, over-the-top magic and sass that might remind you of her role in Community. Seriously, she’s a hoot! But what about kids today? Will they dig He-Man? If the movie dives headfirst into captivating modern audiences, there’s a fun family flick here with a side of beefcake and shenanigans galore!

Looking for Emotional Resonance

But don’t get me started on the cringe-worthy adult humor peppered throughout. Like the joke about a character named Fisto that made me groan! If the flick decides to go for the multi-level humor like some classics from the ‘80s, it might hit the sweet spot. But honestly, it stumbles more like a toddler learning to walk. It seems to lose its footing when trying to blend light-hearted fun and deep thoughts.

Final Thoughts

With real emotional moments shining through, the flick is half success, half awkwardness catered more to the adults reliving their childhood while hoping the kids find joy in it too. Let the little ones enjoy their toys; otherwise, they might as well be gathering dust next to your other relics! Masters of the Universe opens on Friday, June 5.