My family saw it this weekend and enjoyed it. My teenage daughter, that doesn't know much about MOTU, said she liked it more than she thought she would and gave it an 8/10.  They were a little heavy handed with the pokes at themselves, but at least they didn't do what most of Hollywood has done in the last half dozen years where it's clear they hate their fans and their own IP.  Overall, I thought it was fun.

I have had the soundtrack on constant rotation since the movie release and still not sick of it --- so awesome!

Daniel Pemberton take a bow. 😎 

I have now been to the cinema twice to watch Masters of the Universe.

I really loved it. Yes, it isn't perfect, but it's an incredibly enjoyable movie and, in many ways, it feels like watching the classic He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon brought to life.

A few things didn't sit quite right with me:

Evil-Lyn – Her voice just didn't seem to fit the character, and I think she needed a bit more development and screen time to really flesh her out.

Battle Cat – There were two perfect opportunities for us to see Cringer transform into Battle Cat, and both felt like missed opportunities.

Panthor – Another missed opportunity. It would have been incredible to see him fight Battle Cat, or at the very least have him sitting beside Skeletor's bone throne in Snake Mountain.

Castle Grayskull – At both the beginning and the end of the film, Skeletor and his minions seem to just walk straight in. There was no attempt to breach the drawbridge or overcome any real defenses. They simply entered, which felt a little odd given the importance of the castle.

Things I loved:

Pretty much everything else.

I loved the action, the story, the humour, the special effects, and the incredible attention to detail that was put into bringing Eternia to life. You can really tell that the filmmakers cared about the source material.

But when I saw She-Ra in the end-credits scene, I nearly jumped out of my chair. I was completely shocked, absolutely thrilled, and couldn't believe they managed to keep it a spoiler-free surprise. In an age where almost everything leaks online, that reveal was incredible.

It really sucks that the movie is struggling at the box office because it honestly deserves far more love than it's getting. I genuinely thought it would easily make around $500 million worldwide, so seeing it struggle to even reach $100 million is disappointing. I feel for everyone involved because it's clear a lot of passion went into making it.

I just hope we still get sequels, even if they end up going directly to Amazon. We need to see He-Man and She-Ra together again—and seeing that relationship brought to life in live action would be something special.

Oh and on my second viewing I noticed Karg being killed by He-Man, I didn't notice that on my first viewing. 

@xenaandshera 

I'm glad you enjoyed it! I too think that MOTU '26 is an awesome movie and have seen it three times in three different formats (standard digital, IMAX, and RPX), I also agree that it deserves a lot more business.

It appears that an overwhelmingly large number of moviegoers legitimately enjoy the movie... we just need a lot more of them to go see it!! Additionally, social media (usually the bane of any sane-minded person) has even given MOTU a thumbs up for the most part.

Indeed, a lot of effort goes into making a film of this caliber... something that not a lot of people realize. Trying to please new and old fans - especially the hardcore variety - is a tall order. This is a franchise that has strong, individual roots and meaning for each and every fan in the community. There is simply no way to make a movie that can cover that gamut.

However, the effort and passion is clearly visible when you see the movie. I feel like the movie-makers legitimately wanted to pay homage to the foundations of the brand while making it palatable to 2020's audiences. In that respect, I think they succeeded. Plus, it's got a badass soundtrack!!

As for Karg... I personally don't think that either he nor Trap-Jaw die in this film. He can still be seen moving after He-Man removes the sword from the wall.

Also, just hear me out, in my head canon, MOTU '26 is a prequel to MOTU '87. Seriously, almost everything that comes up in the new movie still jives with the old - well, except for Duncan being Black..., but otherwise it still works out. He-Man is an older, more confident leader, Teela is still brash, the Sorceress is getting ready to retire (lol), and Skeletor continues to be power hungry. Moreover, Earth still plays a central role in the movie as it does in both the new movie and the cartoon lore. 😉

@ornclown 

If an "overwhelmingly large number of movie-goers" legitimately enjoyed the movie then it would have broken through to $200 million in WW box office by now.  It hasn't and it won't because movie-goers overwhelmingly stayed away.  The overwhelmingly large number of movie-goers you speak of is the passionately loyal MOTU fan base who has hungered for a MOTU film for so long that literally anything featuring MOTU will have them heaping undeserved accolades.

The film's shortcomings are legion, along with the boneheaded decision for a release date that put it into a hopelessly competitive situation.  I would have given two fingers on my right hand (I'm left-handed. 😉 ) to have seen a film that rose to the level this amazing franchise deserved.  Regrettably, I didn't.   

@theman 

Actually, Jack, I was referring to the over 5,000 general audience viewers who legitimately enjoyed Masters of the Universe based on their Rotten Tomato reactions. An 87% positive aggregate score - out of 5K+ reviews - seems overwhelmingly large to me.

Also, if we jump to Metacritic (a notoriously rigid review site), we still see that the user score is "generally favorable" holding a 7.7 out of 10 aggregate rating.

Now, there is no way I'm going to defend this movie as being flawless because that would be absurd, it most definitely has shortcomings. However, it seems to me that it isn't so much an issue with the quality of the film as it is with the quantity of folks going to see it. Timing is everything, and unfortunately Masters of the Universe hit theaters at a difficult time.

@ornclown 

I'll be eagerly holding my breath to watch that general audience rack up the $600 million worldwide box office needed to recoup the film's $200 million budget, lol.

Seriously, if you've got stats that show the film doing the kind of box office that movies with a large audience racks up, I'd love to see it. In the meantime, I'm not hearing the sound of ticket sales being run up -- just crickets.

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/movies/articles/why-masters-universe-2026s-least-004955048.html

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@theman 

Jack, you are misreading me.

I'm not talking about the ticket sales that have yet to be, I'm talking about the ticket sales that have already been.

Of those sales to general audience moviegoers, the overwhelming majority legitimately enjoyed Masters of the Universe.

Think of it this way: if 10 people saw the movie and 9 of them gave it a positive review, I would say that an overwhelming majority (90%) of moviegoers legitimately enjoyed the movie.

Now, would ten ticket sales help recoup the money spent on the movie? Of course not... but that's not what I've been talking about. My argument is simply stating that most people who have seen the movie have found something to like about it (According to the aggregate websites.)

@ornclown 

I get what you're saying, Orn, and I certainly respect your point of view and opinions. The problem isn't whether or not those who saw the film liked it. The problem is that not nearly enough people are buying tickets for the film to break even and, sadly, that's a fact -- not a point of view or opinion -- that simply cannot be debated.

On a personal level, at 77 years old, I'm afraid I'm just too old to see the amazing birth of a MOTU film that I hoped and literally prayed for. There's no other way to say it than '"I'm heartbroken".

That said, I was delighted to see He-man and She-Ra's imprint on television. I guess I'll just have to settle for that...  🙁 

@theman 

Yes, I completely agree on that point: not enough people are buying tickets. Moreover, at this point in the game, it's far too late to think they will. 😞 

Regardless of one's thoughts on the movie, it is tragic to see a movie -almost 40 years in the making- do so poorly at the box office. It's John Carter of Mars all over again.

And, anybody who knows me knows that I needed this movie to be successful in order for the big-budget New Adventures of He-Man movie to finally make it to theaters!! A pipe dream? Probably. However, hope springs eternal... and at 77 years young, Jack, you may be tapped yet again to lend your insights and writing talents to a New Adventures project.   

Remember, you didn't just get to see He-Man and She-Ra's imprint on television, you were a big part of creating that imprint!! 😀 

@ornclown 

You touch my heart, my friend.  🙂

"77 years young" indeed.  As Tony Horton -- creator of P90x and my mentor -- said, "Aging is for those who don't know any better." It's why I work out with heavy dumbbells for an hour three times a week and am on my treadmill for 45 minutes three times a week.  I've still got a lot of mountains to climb, with three of my Christmas romance screenplays and a steamy murder mystery television series in development. :).

"Retirement"? What's that? On his 90th birthday, a reporter asked legendary producer Norman Lear -- The Jeffersons, Maude, Archie Bunker -- "At 90 years old, after a sixty-year career in television, what do you think now when you finish a project?" Without blinking, The Great Man answered, "I think 'What's next?'"

Now I certainly don't equate myself to Normal Lear, but I get what he meant. As playwright Noel Coward once correctly said, "Work is much more fun than fun."  😉

As for an NA film, I'm ready but not holding my breath.  I certainly have the concept, as I've said in many podcasts: He-man, his work finished on Primus, returns to Eternia only to find King Randor and Marlena imprisoned by (gasp!) Man-at-Arms, who launched an ill-conceived coup in He-man's absence. Forming an alliance with She-ra and (OMG) Crita, the battle begins... And Skelly...? Oh, Skelly... 🙂

Oh well. One can always dream.  Lol.  🙂 

@theman 

Agreed. As the proverb says, "Idle hands are the devil's workshop." 

A lack of purposeful activity leads to negative outcomes... that is why we continue to do the things we love - long after retirement age - and hopefully, those are the same things we get to do for a living!

What I wouldn't give to see that New Adventures concept come to life!! 😳 

I have dreams of live-action, but this concept would work well for a limited series / animated feature as well!

Guys, I finally saw the movie with one of my best friends! And I will say, our friendship has grown even more after this experience. We had so much fun. The movie was everything I ever wanted, ever since I came into this fandom in 2018-2019! I have waited for this movie since I was 9, and it was worth the 7 year wait. I can't wait for She-Ra! And I also picked up the chronicles Skeletor and he is awesome!

@kinggrayskull09 Congratulations on seeing the film!

I really enjoy MOTU '26 as well, and despite my criticisms (outlined in this thread), I think the movie turned out great.

Of the aforementioned criticisms, the two most offensive to me were the scattered pacing of the script and how they handled the characters' names. The name jokes were inappropriate and unnecessary, and the fact that they laugh at their given names really stung me. I mean, their names are a part of who they are... just like their skills, costumes, and relationships! Indeed, we don't laugh at "Superman," why should "He-Man" be any different?!?

Otherwise, I enjoy the fight choreography, the countless nods to all the MOTU sources, the set designs, and -especially- the soundtrack! 

@ornclown those two things you mentioned were the only flaws I myself noticed. It was peak though.

After watching it at home (my 5th viewing), I still feel that this is a really fun movie that tries very hard (almost too hard) to please both new and old fans.

I love the action sequences and the costume and set designs... though, the inappropriate jokes just don't land with me. (It's a bit jarring to move from watching a Filmation episode to hearing "fisting" and "giving head" jokes from these characters...)

I am having a watch party this weekend and I can't wait! 🙂

I’m with y’all on the pacing issues, unnecessary adult humor, and a bit too much self-deprecation. Still really enjoyed the movie the 2nd time through.

The surround sound mixing was much, much better than my theater experience let on.

I just can’t shake the feeling that some really good Evil-Lyn scenes were left on the cutting room floor. The prequel novel Teela: Daughter of Eternos (Mackenzi Lee) seemed to really be setting up Evil-Lyn for something more than we ended up getting, in a great vague teasing foreshadowing way. I highly recommend giving it a read or listen.

Can anyone just guess why Travis Knight chose Dian from an 80s newspaper strip, the Gluppiest of franchise Glup Shittos to have a somewhat prominent role in this movie (She has around the same amount of screentime as Fist and Ram)? I'm betting they wanted another female character in the resistance and really felt like "Eh, how about a deep cut character here?". A part of me is betting they considered Andra in the role. 

I mean NGL in the movie Dian isn't much aside from Adam's childhood bully who can shoot, but I would buy a Chronicles figure of her just to have all of the main Resistance members.

@slycooperastroboy51 I'm glad they chose a deepcut character and made her a character that was kinda fun, didn't do much, but had some fun moments. I would live to see Andra in a sequel, she was one of the best parts of revelation. Too bad they sidelined her in revolution.

@slycooperastroboy51 Surely there's a more prominent female they could have used from Filmation instead, but nobody's coming to my mind at the moment. I didn't care much for Dian, especially when her spot could have been someone the fandom actually wanted to see, like oh I don't know - Stratos? Man-E-Faces? Buzz Off? Sy-Klone? Rio Blast? Clamp Champ?

@durendal I think every fan would have loved any of the awesome characters you mentioned, but it looks like the Budget for Special-effects characters was used up, probably, and as a human character, if of all the beloved Filmation characters, nobody comes to mind? Maybe this is a fun tribute out of left field.

For someone who is not a Filmation foremost fan, and as someone who has read the newspaper book pretty recently, I thought it was pretty cool and shows awareness for the multi-faceted nature of MOTU.

The book came out fairly recently, so I think it is a wink to the hardcore fans who keep up with all sorts of MOTU stuff, and it is also MOTU history.