Masters of the Universe
The Hollywood Reporter's review of 'Masters of the Universe' criticizes the film for relying too heavily on campy, self-aware humor. The reviewer suggests the movie lacks genuine substance and serves primarily as a niche product for fans of the original toy line.
Why it matters
This review highlights the ongoing tension between Hollywood's reliance on intellectual property reboots and the critical demand for original, high-quality storytelling.
The creators of the new Masters of the Universe movie really, really, want to let you know that they're in on the joke. They know deep down, or at least they should know, that their juvenile material is only suitable for children or overgrown adolescents with a terminal case of childhood nostalgia. So director Travis Knight ( Bumblebee , Kubo and the Two Strings ) and his quartet of screenwriters have loaded the proceedings with so much campy, self-referential humor that you don't know whether to laugh or cry. The film winds up feeling so much like one of those fringe festival musical theater parodies that you find yourself waiting for the characters to burst into song. Related Stories Movies Dolph Lundgren Endorses Nicholas Galitzine s He-Man and Teases Appearance in New Masters of the Universe Movies Masters of the Universe : First Reactions From the Premiere
The article is a standard entertainment critique focusing on artistic merit and audience reception.
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