More Gung-Ho He-Man Heroics

Prime Video pips HBO Max’s premiere of Mortal Kombat II with the global debut of its own fantasy refresh, Masters of the Universe.

The franchise reboot streams from July 22 and stars Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Alison Brie, James Purefoy, Morena Baccarin, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Charlotte Riley, Jared Leto, Idris Elba and, as the voice of “Roboto”, Kristen Wiig. Reads the blurb:

After being separated for 15 years, the Sword of Power leads Prince Adam (Galitzine) back to Eternia where he discovers his home shattered under the fiendish rule of Skeletor (Leto). To save his family and his world, Adam must join forces with his closest allies, Teel a (Mendes) and Duncan/Man-At-Arms (Elba), and embrace his true destiny as He-Man — the most powerful man in the universe

Masters of the Universe was a box office flop for MGM Amazon Studios, grossing about $US113 million worldwide versus an estimated budget of $US170-200 million.

Yet it punched above its weight with top critics. Even the lofty New York Times acknowledged the “impressive action sequences” while across town the New York Post said: “It’s fun, helium light and doesn’t have a single thought in its dumb head.”

Here’s the trailer.