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Rating:  -
Masters of the Universe. The universe of masters, this movie about masters of the universe mastered my universe until the universe of my masters mastered this universe. Of the masters, universe mastered of the Dolph Lundgren tangent. Enough said, Lundgren. Dolphsters of the Lundgrenverse. I think I made my point. Pony.
Rating: -
Aside from its connection to the cartoon show that started the whole half-hour-action-figure-ad trend that was 1980s kidvid, the "Masters of the Universe" movie doesn't stand out all that much from the endless pack of "futuristic fantasy" films that have come and gone over the years. Composer Bill Conti, best known for doing the music for the "Rocky" movies, tries his hand at aping John Williams' "Superman" (the opening credits sequence is pretty much lifted from "Superman"), and not being half as good. I'm also a bit upset that they decided to replace Orko with the tinkerer-troll Gwildor here. Didn't the movie's producers realize there were dozens of out-of-work Jawas from the "Star Wars" flicks who would've been more than happy to take on the role of Orko?! For shame, Hollywood, for shame. On the upside: Frank Langella's intense overacting as the villain Skeletor wonderfully counterbalances the underwhelming underacting by Dolph Lundgren as the hero He-Man.
As for the extra features: the director's commentary track's pretty flat, and the text character profiles aren't too exciting. Then there's the obligatory theatrical trailer... which looks a lot like any other theatrical trailer for a sci-fi/fantasy/planet-hopping shoot-em-up.
Bottom line: if you're looking for a little something that borrows the opening credits sequence from "Superman", cops the set pieces and some of the costumes from "Flash Gordon", and Dolph Lundgren trying to emote (with hilariously predictable results), then this campy load of 1980s action-figure nostalgia is worth at least a rental. Oh yes, this also showcases the talents of Courtney Cox several years before "Friends", and Robert Duncan McNeill several years before "Star Trek: Voyager". Unlike Lundgren, Cox & McNeill's acting has improved over the years...
`Late
Rating:  -
I thought that the movie was entertaining when I was a child growing up in the early-mid 80's. I still enjoy the movie to this day. The movie had some rough language in a few areas, but no more than movies like, THE GOONIES, or BACK TO THE FUTURE.
I do have a correction to make. One of the reviewers stated in their review of the film,...
"Warwick Davis is also entertaining as Gwildor"
Warwick Davis DID NOT play Gwildor. Billy Barty played the part (Both actors though, did play in the film WILLOW together)
Rating: -
Masters of the Universe is a sort of "lost classic" of the 80's. Almost anyone who lived through the 80's heard something about "He-Man" and "Skeletor"... and likely heard the phrase "I have the powwwweeeer!". That's Masters of the Universe for those not in the know.
This is the motion picture version of the franchise that brought us a hot selling line of toys, a hit cartoon series, and practically invented the modern notion of using a series franchise to sell toys and other offshot products. "Masters of the Universe has a simple enough plot. The Evil Skeletor has used a device called the cosmic key to teleport his forces into, and subsequenlty capture Castle Greyskull - and the vast cosmic powers which it somehow holds (why it has this sort of significance is unexplained). his arch enemy, the heroic He-man, has been teleported with his friends to the far off world of earth during the fighting and Skeletors forces now pursue them to capture the key and seal once and for all, skeletors place as supreme ruler of the land of Eternia.
But this is not a movie you will watch for the story of course. Even those who were fans of He-man may be dismayed to know that the movie doesnt hold firm AT ALL to the sorce material. Heman's famous tiger is missing. And his powerful sword is just a sword in the movie. Much of it indeed was thrown together and altered. You'll see bits and pieces of everything that was sucessful in 80's cinema throughout this movie. Many times it feels like you're watching a really bad version of Star Wars. Skeletor is made to resebmle the emperor from that more sucsessful franchise, and anyone who doesnt think gwildor looks like yoda is kidding themselves. The end scene of the movie practically mirrors the end of Return of the Jedi! Skeletor shooting lighting from his fingers telling heman to kneel, and finally being tossed down some sort of shaft to a firey demise... Im surprised the dont get sued! Not to mention the hover boards are certainly inspired from back to the future 2!
No you wont be intellectually or emotionally involved. What you WILL watch this movie for, is 1) Nastalgia, and 2) fun. The movie is full of fairly effective comedy and decent action. As far as cheesy 80's movies I loved as a kid go, this one doesnt make me ask myself how stupid I must have been to enjoyed it. The acting is also quite decent, although lundrin is no oscar winner. The character of Skeletor is given a very powerful voice and performance for a movie of this type (which was obviously aimed at young teen boys).
of course the problem is you cant take this movie serious... any movie with charcters named "he-man" and "man-at-arms" and has bad costumed man-creatures running around wearing plastic looking armor and fake looking weapons is bound to have problems keeping an adult audience from chuckling. This is compounded by the fact that Lundrin, while he at times puts forth a noble effort, cant deliver a very effective presence in a lead role. Not to mention everything seems a lot sillier when seen in the context of a subburban USA battleground.
But if you can let go of that and just watch this movie with a light heart for fun and for nostalgia, you'll probably enjoy it and find it to be a lot of fun and find a basic tale of good and evil, action, comedy and a half-way-decent attempt to make it a sort of "almost epic".
Rating: -
This movie, while not very faithful to the source material, is nevertheless an exceptional fun adventure. Both Dolph Lundgren and Frank Langella are perfectly cast in the roles of He-Man and Skeletor. Lundgren is physically the best choice for He-Man. However, it would have been more fun if the director had stuck with the original idea of Prince Adam becoming He-Man. Frank Langella delivers without a doubt, the most impressive performance in the film. It is he who really carries the movie. Langella dominates each scene with his powerfully evil portrayal. Every line he utters and every scene he's in are not only memorable, but chilling as well. If this had been a more prestige film, he could've won an Oscar.
As for the story, Eternia has fallen under the iron fist of Skeletor and his minions. Using a teleportation device called the Cosmic Key, Skeletor has gained control over Castle Greyskull. He-Man and his companions must rally together and defeat their enemies before all is lost.
Certainly the film's biggest flaw is bringing earth into the story. The idea is interesting, but just doesn't work in terms of believablilty or practicality and ruins any chances of the film getting off the ground. One only wishes we could see more of Eternia.
Overall, this is simply a fun-filled fantasy. Don't expect this to be a masterpiece, and just sit back and enjoy it.
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