Travis Knight directs Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes and Idris Elba in this sci-fi fantasy comedy based on the Eighties toy line sold via a beloved cartoon series.

When I was a seven year old kid these action figures were my world. 2026: I had Eternia / the screen all to myself for this. OK…so one noisy guy came in to finish his sodas and then left. And the manager popped in, not to night vision the room for the potential piracy cameras, just to make sure someone was still there. When I exited at half past midnight the two teenagers left on shift who seemed very disappointed they had to work so late for one old dude. Was it worth it? It is a cute movie that often looks about as good as a CGI reliant fantasia can. Better than Thor or Guardians which are keystones to the vibes. Nicholas Galitzine makes a good fist as the hero, there are plenty of trippy visuals that explode with colour. Alison Brie’s Evil-Lyn is underused but gives off a satisfied little kinky smile whenever Skeletor chokes her out with his toxic strangle. Is Jared Leto’s Skeletor the comic relief saving grace everyone makes him out to be? I didn’t see it myself. I thought he was adequate hidden behind digital animation. Probably the best performance he has given since getting his face smashed in during Fight Club. The movie could easily be half an hour shorter. There are narrative time outs where characters bond in two separate dungeons and one forest spaceship breakdown that drain the momentum. Three pit stops is too many. The action is also perfunctory. Snark is fine, snark has a place, but imagine if they went down the fully committed horny sincere Flash Gordon route. Daniel Pemberton’s electric guitar led score needs special mention as it sounds like Kiss or Rush have taken over the mixing booth. Often it supplies the gas that keeps this mixed bag juggernaut moving forward.

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Perfect Double Bill: Masters Of The Universe (1987)

I write regular features about live comedy for British Comedy Guide here https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/bobby_carroll/features/ and my own Substack https://substack.com/@edinburghlaughterbulletin