A year on from last year's summer blockbuster, Superman, we now have a similarly hopeful and masculinity-redefining reboot in the form of Masters of the Universe, a live-action retelling of He-Man's origin story and interplanetary exploits.
First appearing in the iconic 80s comics, cartoons and toy lines, He-Man is the bronzed and brawny alter-ego of Prince Adam of Eternia who, with a little help from his friends, valiantly defends Castle Grayskull from his evil archenemy, Skeletor. The only actor to have previously played the character in live-action form is action movie heavyweight Dolph Lundgren of Rocky IV fame (who also has a brief cameo in this film), in a 1987 box office flop. It’s interesting, then, that director Travis Knight (Kubo and the Two Strings, Bumblebee) has chosen Nicholas Galitzine for the role, since the actor has largely made his name in rom-coms such as The Idea of You and Red, White & Royal Blue. Not only does Galitzine look the part physically, but he also embodies a modern and more sensitive version of the character. While it’s true that the original He-Man always seemed empathetic and kind, Knight’s film really drives this point home.
