Movie Review: Masters of the Universe (2026)

Masters of the Universe was my second favorite toyline and cartoon growing up. I absolutely loved He-Man and the 

Masters of the Universe is a 2026 action adventure science fiction fantasy movie. It is rated PG-13 for language, violence, and humor and is appropriate for tweens and up.

My Thoughts

Story and Script: The story was solid. It was nothing groundbreaking and played out exactly how you thought it would. All the characters were more or less consistent with the source material. The script was well thought out with clever explanations for why things happened in the movie such as the opening monologue to introduce the film, how the characters got their names, and nods to previous incarnations of the characters and franchise. There were a few too many obvious jokes and cutting humor that took away from some of the more dramatic moments, but that is unfortunately typical of movies in this decade. In fact, almost all my complaints about the movie are the use of current tropes almost all movies are forced to suffer with.

He-Man: I love Nicholas Galitzine and will go see a movie just because he's in it. But I wasn't sure about him playing He-Man. He's a good actor, but he just didn't seem to fit the part. But in this film he fit both roles as Adam and He-Man. His He-Man was especially fun.

Visuals: The visuals were very nice and a good adaption of the source material. It definitely looked too much like a video game, but every movie does and has for the past 20 years.

Music: The music was amazing. It was high energy 80s rock that fit the 80s toyline perfectly and the vibe of the film perfectly. And I loved the callback to the Filmation score at the end.

Overall

Masters of the Universe is a fun and entertaining film. The story was solid. It was nothing groundbreaking and played out exactly how you thought it would. All the characters were more or less consistent with the source material. The script was well thought out with clever explanations for why things happened in the movie such as the opening monologue to introduce the film, how the characters got their names, and nods to previous incarnations of the characters and franchise. There were a few too many obvious jokes and cutting humor that took away from some of the more dramatic moments, but that is unfortunately typical of movies in this decade. In fact, almost all my complaints about the movie are the use of current tropes almost all movies are forced to suffer with. The visuals were very nice and a good adaption of the source material. It definitely looked too much like a video game, but every movie does and has for the past 20 years. The music was amazing. It was high energy 80s rock that fit the 80s toyline perfectly and the vibe of the film perfectly. And I loved the callback to the Filmation score at the end. I give this film 4 out of 5 boxes of popcorn for quality of movie and 4.5 out of 5 boxes of popcorn for fun and entertainment.

      

Movie Review - The Devil Wears Prada 2

I loved The Devil Wears Prada--it's one of my favorite films! I was really excited to hear about the sequel, but I was also worried that it would be the typical sequel--a mediocre remake of the original. Fortunately, the filmmakers went in a completely different direction and crafted a movie that is very different, but just as good.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is a 2026 live action drama. It is rated PG-13 for language and is appropriate for teens and up.

Analysis

Story & Themes. The first film was an exploration of fashion, the fashion industry, the first job of a recent college graduate, and how to deal with a demanding boss. And it explored all of those very thoroughly. This film went a very different route by exploring what does a magazine look like in 2026, how does art and human-produced works compete in a world of technology and machine learning, how do traditions survive in industries concerned with optimization and cost cutting, and how do people change in 20 years. This was a very smart route to go, because it meant a completely new story that still related to the original movie, it was contemporary to current times, but still felt like it was part of the same universe and series.

Characters. Most of the main characters returned for this film. Each was the same character at the core, but had shown changes from 20 years of living. All were still likable. All still had great chemistry even though it was different because of where life had taken each.

Overall

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is a 2026 live action drama. I was really excited to hear about the sequel, but I was also worried that it would be the typical sequel--a mediocre remake of the original. Fortunately, the filmmakers went in a completely different direction and crafted a movie that is very different, but just as good. The first film was an exploration of fashion, the fashion industry, the first job of a recent college graduate, and how to deal with a demanding boss. And it explored all of those very thoroughly. This film went a very different route by exploring what does a magazine look like in 2026, how does art and human-produced works compete in a world of technology and machine learning, how do traditions survive in industries concerned with optimization and cost cutting, and how do people change in 20 years. This was a very smart route to go, because it meant a completely new story that still related to the original movie, it was contemporary to current times, but still felt like it was part of the same universe and series. Most of the main characters returned for this film. Each was the same character at the core, but had shown changes from 20 years of living. All were still likable. All still had great chemistry even though it was different because of where life had taken each. I highly recommend this film and give it 5 out of 5 boxes of popcorn. 

    

Movie Review - Michael (2026)

I grew up with Michael Jackson and his music. For me, his story isn't history, but part of my childhood.

Michael is a 2026 biography following the life of Michael Jackson from when he first began performing up to the point he was free of his family and the greatest pop star in history. It is rated PG-13 (but is totaly a PG movie) and is appropriate for tweens and up.

Analysis

Story.  Michael Jackson's career is huge and would require a 7-hour movie to cover it properly. The filmmakers made a good decision to focus on the music and rise to fame of Michael Jackson and including just enough family drama to make a solid story. 

Acting and Casting. Jaafar Jackson does an unbelievable job portraying his uncle. There are times you would believe he is Michael reincarnated.

Music & Dancing. The filmmakers do a stupendous job recreating the music, the dancing, and the performances that have become so iconic. It looks like someone had a camera and was recording behind the scenes footage at the time it happened and not a recreation.

Overall

Michael is a 2026 biography following the life of Michael Jackson from when he first began performing up to the point he was free of his family and the greatest pop star in history. It is rated PG-13 (but is totaly a PG movie) and is appropriate for tweens and up. The filmmakers made a good decision to focus on the music and rise to fame of Michael Jackson and including just enough family drama to make a solid story. Jaafar Jackson does an unbelievable job portraying his uncle. There are times you would believe he is Michael reincarnated. The filmmakers do a stupendous job recreating the music, the dancing, and the performances that have become so iconic. It looks like someone had a camera and was recording behind the scenes footage at the time it happened and not a recreation. So far, this is the most enjoyable film I've seen this year. I highly recommend it and give it 4 out of 5 boxes of popcorn.