The Master's of the Universe Soundtrack Review

 

The Masters of the Music

By Mikii B 

The Lost Prince of Eternia, He-Man, a beloved icon from the 80s, has finally returned to the big screen after 40 years. It was known that the movie did not do so well at the box office and had received a 67% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the movie was just recently released onto streaming and has been finding success. As it should be! It has reached #1 on Prime in the U.S., U.K., Italy, and Brazil, surpassing Project Hail Mary. Which is an interesting connection if you really think about it. 

Daniel Pemberton, composer of Project Hail Mary, was also the creative genius that brought to life the score of Masters of the Universe (He-Man). Pemberton is known for staying away from franchises and sequels but there was something in him that wanted this project. Perhaps it was the little boy inside him who couldn’t let go. The one who sat in front of the picture box every early Saturday morning, juicebox in hand and He-Man in the other. Pemberton, in an interview with Variety’s Matt Minton shared that he only agreed to score the film if he was allowed to create a Queen and ABBA inspired soundtrack for Masters of the Universe. Which was, in my opinion, too perfect and Travis Knight, director of the film, seemed to agree. 

This 80s, pop and glam-rock soundtrack was created at the iconic Abbey Road Studios, which often functions as Pemberton’s atelier when he’s working in London. However, this time would be different. This time fate would have him there, as Brain May also happened to have been working on a separate Queen project. Pemberton and May would soon find themselves agreeing to work together on the soundtrack for the 2026, He-Man movie. 

The soundtrack was incredible. It was 35 songs that each pulled you into the fantasy of Eternia. With a beautiful 100-piece choir and 80-piece orchestra, yet it wouldn’t be an 80s soundtrack without an over abundance of synths. The soundtrack is the perfect blend of blockbuster and Saturday mornings. Daniel Pemberton was quoted in the same Variety interview saying, “I wanted a grown man to feel like a small boy again, and I wanted a small boy to feel like a grown man” and that he did. The cherry on top was Brian May and his Red Special Guitar, which was fashioned out of household materials so he can perform as a teen in Queen’s early days.  

Though the soundtrack was incredible and I have Eternia on repeat as I am writing this, the needle drops in this movie had to have been stolen from Amoeba or Twist-N-Shout’s store playlist. They were THAT perfect and so cool. First, we’re given a soft piano rendition of The Cure’s “Boys Don’t Cry” played by Pemberton himself, leaving us itching for Rob Smith’s heavenly vocals. Shortly after, the tantalizing guitar plucks and hypnotizing drums kick in. Kier Lehman, the music supervisor, and Travis Knight have at last given us what we were left pining for. The song itself holds a mirror to society and this narrative that is instilled in all of us that men shouldn’t be emotional, empathic or cry. Which Adam does not abide by, and never has, even in the cartoons. He in the film, wears cat sweaters and works in HR. His cartoon counterpart teaches the power of friendship and each version never stops wearing pink! Which also happens to be the same color of The Cure album, Three Imaginary Boys, which features the song. A connection I find rather interesting if I can say so myself.The movie later goes on to play The Killer’s “The Man” as Adam has his face in a window, perfectly circled. Which is typically the part when I yell in the theater, “Do you get it? It’s because he’s He-MAN?” and immediately hide myself into the hood of my sweater. Following those two iconic drops are “The Power” by SNAP! and “What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes. Unfortunately, if I were to tell you why those were perfect picks, I would be spoiling. So I guess you’ll just have to watch the movie now.