By the ability of Grayskull, keep away if you have not seen “Masters of the Universe.” There are spoilers forward.
“Masters of the Universe” is a enjoyable journey movie, even when /Movie’s assigned reviewer did not see it that means. It is received some inventive motion sequences, an important lead, and even a magical lady transformation for He-Man.
However essentially the most shocking factor shouldn’t be how the film makes all of the foolish character names make sense in canon, or how first rate Cringer the Battle Cat seems. As a substitute, what’s most shocking about this reboot is how good Jared Leto is as Skeletor.
That is proper, Jared Leto is secretly the MVP of the film. That is fairly a shock contemplating Leto has change into field workplace poison during the last decade or so, along with his latest initiatives financially tanking. And it is not like Leto is doing a little radical reinterpretation of the character, however fairly performs him similar to the cartoon character delivered to life. He is menacing but in addition foolish; scary but in addition goofy. He is all the things you need Skeletor to be with out coming throughout as a caricature or a self-aware joke.
That is very welcome information contemplating how a lot of the film is indebted to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, notably “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Thor: Ragnarok.” These films have made it a behavior of poking enjoyable at all the things simply barely bizarre or cartoony in a derogatory means. “Masters of the Universe” does poke enjoyable at a few of the absurdity of its world, but it surely’s all performed as if it have been by the eyes and distorted reminiscence of a younger Prince Adam after he is despatched to Earth. Again in Eternia, all the things is taken severely, particularly the villains.
Skeletor is a diva
Do not let Jared Leto’s absence from the “Masters of the Universe” advertising and marketing idiot you; he is likely one of the finest elements of the movie. He brings a gravitas to Skeletor that is harking back to his extra acclaimed work, however with out going too deep into character like he reportedly did with, for instance, Joker or Morbius.
Skeletor is handled like a severe menace. He’s an absolute diva who loves utilizing alliteration and going for grandiose drama in his speeches and taunting of heroes — whereas realizing full effectively he’s a blue-skinned, half-naked man with no face. Right here, it helps that Skeletor seems so actual it is uncanny and virtually terrifying. Director Travis Knight attracts on his longtime expertise in animation to make sure his group brings their A-game in animating Skeletor’s cranium face. Not solely does it look actual, but it surely additionally emotes surprisingly effectively and with nuance. Skeletor can each go large and cartoony in his expressions, or fairly delicate when he must. It is a tough steadiness, however one that enhances Leto’s go-for-broke efficiency and makes Skeletor one of many single finest cartoon-to-live-action characters of all time.
Nevertheless it’s not simply drama that Skeletor brings to “Masters of the Universe.” The movie understands its giant gallery of foolish little guys is finest utilized in small doses, simply sufficient to make an affect however not lengthy sufficient that they take over the tone of the movie. When Skeletor first exhibits as much as invade Eternos, he’s in full menacing mode, taunting the king and combating with formidable ability. However the extra we see of him, the extra it turns into clear Skeletor additionally likes to be somewhat foolish and humorous. That is evident in a key scene towards the tip, which can also be the funniest bit within the movie.
Skeletor can also be a foolish little man
The funniest scene in “Masters of the Universe” comes throughout its climax, as Skeletor unleashes a psychic assault on Prince Adam that lets the evil lord contained in the hero’s head. Abruptly, we’re transported to scenes of Adam’s time on Earth, with the Overlord of Evil messing up with Adam’s confidence.
First, we flash to a scene of Adam at a gymnasium, attempting to coach to change into the super-macho, muscled man he all the time thought he needed to be. Whereas he is struggling to elevate some weights, a gymnasium bro arrives … Skeletor. Solely this isn’t Skeletor as we see him in Eternia, no sir. Skeletor goes full native and is seen carrying gymnasium garments, together with quick shorts and a sleeveless shirt (nonetheless with a hoodie as a result of Skeletor all the time must have a hood on). Health club bro Skeletor is hilarious, a blue-skinned man with a cranium for a face all of a sudden speaking about coaching and weights with complete seriousness.
That is not all; we additionally flash to 2 different situations. We see Skeletor in a black gown, showing as one among Adam’s dates from earlier within the film. Then we flash to Adam’s workplace job, and all of a sudden a person carrying a button-up shirt and tie (and nonetheless, by some means, a hood) however with a cranium for a face exhibits up. Workplace man Skeletor deserves his personal spin-off, because the villain wastes no time making enjoyable of and looking out perplexed by human workplace tradition. He berates one among Adam’s co-workers, calls Adam out for having a pathetic life, after which, and solely then, goes again to attempting to kill the younger prince.
Say what you’ll about Jared Leto’s Skeletor voice, however his dedication to the bit makes “Masters of the Universe” value watching.
