I live in NJ and trust me it's as close to Eternia as you could possibly imagine, monsters running amuck, everything covered in slime, muscle men walking around with their shirts off, you name it!
Dammit, @trtle dave! I really wanted to go on a rant about how Jersey isn't a terrible place but I appreciate and respect your satirical reply. Jersey is a terrible place, except when it isn't! West Side Ave, South of Communipaw Ave was where I was born and raised! Are you also a Hudson County Kid too?
As a fan of Cannon Films this was actually really good for a Cannon Production. Also Bless Frank Langella for wanting to be Skeletor because his son was a He-Man Fan.
Jokerz 79 ...for a 1988 low budget movie..it was good! I saw this as a kid on vhs...it never bothered me it took place on earth or that he never changed into prince adam
That also reminds me how Raul Julia played M. Bison in Street Fighter for his kids. Amazing the level of performance they give for properties they have no interest in but do it for their kids. Probably 2 of favorite villain performances.
I agree, for the budget and time, they did a great job. I liked all the actors, Langella was amazing, and the sets and costumes were fantastic. Evil-lyn was awesome too, with Meg Foster's eyes being their own special effect. She was brilliant in the role, only second to Langella.
Saw the movie just before my birthday with my friends at a two screen theater in Easton PA. That theater is now a Retro Fitness that plays 80s movies while you exercise. Cosmic alignment right there.
Seeing all the film titles listed on that 1987 box office chart filled me so much nostalgia that my heart almost exploded. Man, the 80s really were a magical time.
I remember I was 7 or 8 when I saw this film on video and I was all like "this isn't he-man!" to my family, and accused them of lying about the movie lol
And the best part about this is that this happened several times as a kid going to the movie theaters (super Mario brothers) even ninja turtles I wasn’t a fan of until the second one came out. Yeah these lighthearted cartoons they make them into these darker scary movies the parents were like what the hell, lol
I said the same thing ......... it wasnt the he-man we knew but I still liked the movie lol. for some reason I considered it like the space balls of the he-man universe
You must have been a dumb kid. I was 5 or 6, clearly knew it was He-Man because his name was He-Man, there was Man-at-Arms and Teela and Skeletor and Beast Man. And then yeah they left Eternia and were in New Jersey which was super lame, and I didn't understand they did that for budget reasons, but I still understood it was a He-Man movie, just a shitty one.
Say what you will about the final product, but I love the production design of this movie. The sets, costumes, and props all look fantastic. And as others have noted, it helps that Frank Langella knew exactly what kind of schlock he was in, and chewed the scenery like it was made of bubblegum. How can you not love a movie where the villain yells "Let this be our final battle!" right before his climactic fight with the hero?
This is the perfect example of a shit movie, with really crap story writing and obviously produced by an incompetant studio that firstly doesn't care, and secondly, knows fuck all about the franchise and what would appeal to the viewers. Then to top it off, they were planning on making a sequal that would be even more shit, if that's even possible. So glad they went bankrupt. They deserve all the negative backlash and much more for the shit that they subjected us too.
The whole thing reminds me of the 90's Streetfighter live-action movie,with JCVD and the late Raul Julia,as General Bison. Raul Julia was diagnosed with cancer and took the role only,because his kids were big fans of the videogame.He quickly realised what a total schlockfest it was and just went completely bananas with his performance,which elevates the movie. ''The day,Gen.Biso graced you insignificant village with his presence was the most important day in your life.For me,it was just Tuesday.'' xD Sadly he passed away before the premiere,from cancer RIP.
These 80's cheese movies........ He-man , Beastmaster , Howard the Duck..... etc. all those movies arent oscar movies but they are still fun and goofiness is part of the charm.
Frank L. Is amazing as skeletor. His lines are fantastic and the best parts of the movie. Meg Foster is great too. He may be too old now but if there was an ideal casting for Dr. Doom it would be Frank L.
I will never understand the hate this movie garnered. I saw it in the theater as a child and loved it. Adult me still loves it, as I watch it at least once a year. The movie's great.
As a child of the 80s whose Christmas mornings were filled with He-Man toys I can explain why it is not beloved... Don't take an IP full of interesting and memorable characters and then not include said characters. Skeletor and Evilyn were fine interpretations, but too many characters were missing and the new ones mostly sucked. Karg was awful, Blade was ok, and Saurod lasted about 30 seconds. Setting the movie on Earth was also a huge mistake. Combine that with bad dialogue and annoying protagonists and you've just been served a turd sandwich.
I also saw it in the theater as a child and was incredibly disappointed. It had almost no resemblance to the cartoon I loved. Movies like this made it okay to make movies like super Mario bros. Just cash grab bullshit.
Doing filming, the high school they were filming in got burnt down when the fire got out of control doing the battle between He-Man and Skeletor's minions. Moments after that scene, you can see the fire trucks driving towards the burning school. You probably can find that video on RUclips, check it out. By the way, the special effects in this movie are real great. It's a shame it didn't have a bigger budget for it to take place in Eternia.👍
I was this many years old(43)when i found out that Masters Of The Universe wasn’t based on the He-Man cartoon.It all makes sense why it turned out the way it did now.Mind blown🤯 Youve taught me something yet again.Bravo Toy Galaxy.....bravo
7:50 Robocop, The Lost Boys, Beverly Hills Cop II, Full Metal Jacket, The Untouchables, Adventures in Babysitting... What a great time to be a cinema goer~
As a kid I was disappointed with the movie. But looking back it's a fun 80's action film. If you take HeMan as you know him out, and just watch the flick, it's a lot of fun.
Well what's the point of calling it He Man then, if it has basically nothing to do with He Man? They may aswell have just called it something else and said guest starring He Man, Skeletor, Man At Arms, Teela and Gwildor.
@@russkate88 thats why they called it masters of the universe. if the movie was called heman & the video would have to center on heman and not something else. during the whole film the whole heman arc felt tacked on as an addition to a sappy teenage romance drama
One fun fact that I learned about this movie is that one of the cast members is Robert Duncan McNeill. For those of us who are Star Trek Fans, he was best known for playing Lieutenant Tom Paris in Star Trek: Voyager. He also appeared in Star Trek TNG as Cadet Nicolas Locarno.
Gary Goddard apparently openly admitted that the Fourth World was a huge influence on the movie, as he figured this was the closest shot he'd get to making a movie actually based on the comic
I saw Masters of the Universe on T.v when I was in High School and I loved, Frank Langella made a captivating Skeletor, way better than the cartoon version. I think It wouldve made more money if they had stuck more closely to the He- man mythology, I think the studio stretched their resources too thin and ended up losing out.
I saw this film with my father when I was 6. The local mall had a theater with a sticky floor. It was great. I still like this movie and watch it every five years or so.
I was still playing with He-Man toys when this movie was released, but still I never saw this movie until I was 40. Even 10-year-olds were saying this movie sucked when it came out, and Transformers were delivering the goods.
I still remember winning tickets to the movie from a colouring in competition in the local paper. I remember being so excited to see it, then really confused after I did with all the random changes....
I still have a real soft spot for this film. Yes, at the time i was a little disappointed that the He Man and Skeletor on screen, didnt look exactly like my figures. But, what the Hell. I grew to love the Film versions, and the film. On day the film was due into my local video rental shop, i ran up to the shop 3 times, to see if it had arrived yet. Great times. Great memories. Miss you so much Mum❤.
I did my part! I saw that movie twice in theaters, and rented it at least 2 dozen time (to the chagrin of my entire family) from Phar-mor. Even though I loved the cartoon, I remember not at all caring that the movie took place on Earth. I was just so happy to see a He-Man movie, they could have done anything and I would have loved it. Frank Langella's Skeletor was so good, and that performance alone is worth watching this movie.
I always have and always will, absolutely and unwaveringly, love and support Masters of the Universe 1987! I even held a watch party in my new apartment on the 30th anniversary of its theatrical release! Also, let's not forget, the actors who played the teenagers found themselves some mega prime-time success within 7 years of the film's release..it was not a total failure!
Yep, Courtney Cox would go on to play Monica in Friends, and Robert Duncan McNeill would go on to play Lt. Tom Paris is Star Trek Voyager. I was a kid at the time and didn't remember they were in it until I saw the film on TV many years later.
@@torockchick Same! I did not draw the connection whatsoever. Hell, I think it took me a bit to realize Lccarno from TNG's "The First Duty" = Tom Paris in Voyager (quite literally, they just weren't allowed to use the name) lol
Masters of the Universe was actually the first movie I ever saw in theaters. I was 5 and it was amazing (to me) It still holds a special place in my dark heart
Lung was ok. Gildour was funny but a weak orko substitute, man at arms was droll and tela was meh. my fav silly moment was when gildour tried to communicate with the cow. the 80s were special. oh and James Tolkan as detective Lubic stole the show. His one liners were gold!
No References to it's stellar human cast? Courtney Cox and Robert Duncan McNeill? Okay, they were not big names back then, but Cox would go on to earn... I'm guessing trillions, on Friends and McNeill will forever be Tom Paris from Voyager. Seriously- that's already pre-written on his tombstone.
Courtney Cox is the goddamn MVP of this movie. You can see what a great actress she's going to become by watching this movie. She fucking sells that shit and makes you believe it.
I didn't own the VHS of this until I found it this year at a local comic con. I grew up watching a tape one of my dad's co-workers recorded when it aired on Showtime. They stopped it before the MOTU credits ended and went to Pee Wee's Big Adventure. When I saw it in the theater, we didn't stay for the end of the credits. Imagine how surprised I was when this movie was released on DVD, and I watched it with the commentary track right out of the package. Mind = blown over the He-Man movie post credits scene I discovered in my early 20s.
I'm pleased to say that I saw it in a small local theater here in Cape Town South Africa in 87. I was 6 and just happy to see the live action version. I do remember wondering why Orko and Battlecat were missing and why it was set on earth with lame humans 🤷🏻♂️
I watched the movie as a child with my sister in a small cinema in Bebra, Germany. That was the first time ever, that we were alone in a cinema screening. No other audience showed up. I totally liked the movie at that time and still have an earworm from the soundtrack. What a pity the movie was not successful.
I remember seeing this in the theatre when I was 7 and obsessed with all things He-Man. To say I was... CONFLICTED would be the understatement of a lifetime.
I didn't see it at the movies but I remember my mom renting it for my brother and I after it came out. As a kid I actually liked it and didn't see what was so bad that everyone hated it. It was fun and goofy and I had a good time. Plus I really liked Langella's Skeletor.
(Basically echoing comments I've made about the 1987 movie a dozen times before), I'm a lifelong hardcore MOTU fan. By the time the movie came out (a couple of years too late, it would have been a bigger hit if released earlier) the line itself was very much on it's last legs, with an over-gimmicky "anything goes" feel that was taking it's toll. However... even as a boy I LOVED the 1987 movie. I think I was very forgiving as I was very familiar with the early mini-comics and various other versions of the lore (of which there were many); furthermore I was and am a "pre-Filmation" fan, with no Prince Adam and rougher more barbarian feel. So I was immediately forgiving that there wasn't more Filmation-inspired content in there. (Also, as well as budget, it is actually possible that copyright issues were encountered with a lot of Filmation-created elements; similar issues were encountered in the first couple of years of the MOTU Classics toyline). Dolph Lundgren's voice was... well, it wasn't good, but he certainly looked the part (I think in my young mind I just put the accent down to 'broken barbarian'). But the true star of the movie is undoubtedly Frank Langella, making an awesome Skeletor with near-Shakespearean lines at times; and Langella's enthusiasm for the project really shines through in his performance. In certainly was disappointing that SO MUCH of the movie took place on Earth for budgetary reasons; but it was also a shame a few of of the familiar existing characters weren't used - instead, mostly new Evil Warriors were created, as well as cost-saving Orko-replacement Gwildor, mostly as a way to try and flog some new characters to kids; but I do think using more of the iconic existing characters instead of the newbies would have certainly helped audiences warm to the movie. But in spite of that... even all these years later, I still love this movie. Sure, I love of that is novelty and nostalgia - hey, it's live action He-Man! But even beyond that... look past the differences in lore, this is actually a very enjoyable B-movie-like adventure, and with some very decent action set pieces, you do get a lot of bang for your buck considering it's very low budget nature and the era. Although it's one of those movies '80s nostalgia fans love to pick apart, I think it's become on of those that has a certain reputation attached to it but one that actually has more genuine fans that is often recognised. ...That's my mini-essay. I can write reams on this movie!
When I was 7 yrs old, I remember seeing the trailer on TV and then the toys at store and I was offended by it all. I pretty much wasn't interested in He-Man as much. I expected this is how it would be from then on. I just watched the film for the first time last month (free on RUclips) and I have to say it's a gem. It's like you said, Dan a slice of a time capsule. It's a nice piece of 80's film goodness. And, that's it.
I basically spent the 80s watching Cannon films. So damn bad they were all classics. That weekend my dad too me to see Masters and Robocop. Ahhhh good times.
with the Digital TV expansion (and all the sub-channels, This, Charge, Movies, etc) I'm seeing more 80s stuff put into rotation and I was shocked at how many movies had Cannon/Golan Globus involved at some level
Loved this movie. Growing up, I saw it on cable numerous times. When my daughter turned 5 I introduced her to this movie. Was fun reliving it with her.
I'm seriously hooked on this freaking series. I was born in 1979 and grew up in the 1980's, so all this stuff...the He-Man movie, Captain Power, Mighty Orbots, Bionic 6...I remember every bit of it fondly. SO, you've done the Masters of The Universe movie...now do The New Adventures of He-Man. Because WTF was that?
Great vid Dan! I saw Masters of the Universe in theaters and no lie 10 year old me thought it was the greatest thing ever, lol. It wasn't until my later years that the whole "being on earth instead of Eternia" thing irked me. To this day I still enjoy watching it and thought that the movie designs of He-man & Skeletor were great.
I remember being in the theater and when it jumped to the Earth scenes, even my 7 yr old self wondered if I was watching the right movie or if somebody “switched the films” upstairs. Bonus points for multiple New Jersey jokes in the same video that isn’t about a Kevin Smith film.
I grew up watching the movie on VHS. Then subsequently bought it on DVD and then Blu-ray. Acts 1 and 3, aka the stuff on Eternia, are pretty great. Act 2 the middle of the movie in Jersey sucks until Skeletor arrives on Earth. Learning about the backstory of the movie, I'm coming to understand Canon Studio Shady dealings, and learning that a lot of the movie was inspired by Jack Kirby's New Gods and fourth world comics make the movie infinitely more enjoyable. Also learning good Frank langella took the role because of the children and his family and their enthusiasm for He-Man, and learning that Skeletor happens to be his favorite performance of his career, also make the movie that much more enjoyable to experience. Also, saurod and beastman looked awesome. And Meg Foster as evil Lyn was rather attractive in a disturbing and intimidating kind of way.
I remember being stoked as a kid to see this movie, having been obsessed with the MOTU cartoon... But, it turned out to be my first experience leaving a theater saying, ‘Wow, that was awesome!’ But feeling, at the same time, like something was really off with it. In my later life, having revisited it once or twice, it mostly felt like a grand missed opportunity. And yet, I still have a small fondness in my heart for it.
I saw it in theaters when it came out. I was 13. I left thinking"that wasn't so bad" but I remember in the days following I kept thinking why wouldn't they match the cartoon.
Yeah I was 5 or 6 and I still remember walking away going wtf was that shit!! Was nothing like the cartoon we loved ( altho looking back it is absolute trash )
Same here, came across it in the video rental area of a local convenience store. I had literally no idea there even was a MotU live action movie until I saw that cover.
I remember my parents renting the Masters of the Universe vhs tape for me as a kid. I'm only twenty-one, so I didn't grow up at the peak of the franchise, but I watched the 2000's show, and that told me enough that it wasn't that good of a film. I still like it as a smorgasbord of 80's action and aesthetic, but I couldn't ever love it.
Definitely saw this with my 4 best friends at the drive-in WHILE we were holding our action figures and making them fight. The oldest among us was 6 years old. NONE of that helped to make this a better movie experience. And we TRIED! We really tried.
Canon Films gave us so much in the 80's and early 90's that it's hard not to give them a pass for this and Superman IV. Delta Force, Death Wish, Over the Top, scores of ninja movies. The list goes on and on. But maybe Dolph should have played Nuclear Man in Superman IV instead.
I saw this film in the theater. I was old enough that He-Man wasn't in my toy box much anymore, but the story and costumes seemed alright to me. I didn't hate it, perhaps even had some fun with it!
12 year old me was excited to see this in 87. 12 year old me walked out of the theater pissed off. I grew up in NJ and I couldn't figure out why it was set in NJ.
I love this movie when i discovered it as a child in 1990 or so. I loved it when i bought it on dvd and i loved it when i bought it on bluray. Frank langella skeletor is awesome
I'm glad you talked about the mini comics. I loved those as a kid and felt betrayed when the cartoon came out. I was very disappointed that the cartoon didn't follow the original story and my interest in the toy line really diminished after that. I didn't start collecting them again till well into adulthood. Great vid as usual!
I’m sure I’m not alone when I say I love your channel and wish we had more content from Toy Galaxy. I know y’all spend a lot of time on production, but I wouldn’t mine lesser production quality if it meant we could get more content. Keep up the great job and thank you!
I still love this film. Designs, soundtrack, even casting looks great to me. Its greatest problem was bringing the story to Earth, and all characters about it. Had it got decent budget, keeping the story fully set on Eternia, and with more characters from the original franchise, it would have become memorable.
You know - and I mean this in a totally positive way - I think my favorite thing about this channel is Dan's ability to deliver even the most ridiculous sentences you could ever imagine coming out of a person's mouth, and doing so with complete sincerity.
My folks never took the bros and I to see any of the movies based on the cartoons/toy lines/popular culture of our generation. I had to wait until this was out on VHS - and then I had to wait even longer for my folks to actually get a VCR. One rental later, and suddenly, we were hearing about this cool new series about ninja turtles.
After watching this I get the feeling like you are trying insinuate that New Jersey is somehow responsible for the failure of the He-man movie? As someone who is from New Jersey not only am I completely insulted by this accusation but I also realize you are absolutely correct. New Jersey has been the downfall for many great things in this world...
I was so eager to see this when it came out. I grew up to the animated series. Very let down when I did see it. Oh well, at least I had the Beastmaster at that age.
I loved both films as a kid, but I can't watch Beastmaster if you paid me. Then again, that could be due to TBS killing my love for that movie after rerunning it so dammed much in the 90's. On the other hand, childhood expectations aside, the MOTU film actually holds up as a decent film when looked upon as it's own thing.
@@russkate88 a scentless turd maybe but not the worst shit from that era. this was just lame and corny.
5 лет назад+1
I remember liking the movie the first time I watched it as a kid, but I was confused as to why they replaced Orko with Gwildor. The only disappointment I remember having was that they had changed Skeletor's voice actor for the movie's dub, since he sounded so different (I'm Brazilian, so I was watching the local dub, obviously). Many years later, as an adult, due to the magic of the internet and old movie clips shared on youtube, I realized that they didn't change the voice actor, he was just doing a different voice, more suited to the movie version of the character. And, frankly, the guy is AWESOME in both incarnations of the character (and as Wolverine as well). Having watched the movie in english as an adult, I have nothing but praise for the amazing performance Frank Langella delivered. Now I need that movie Skeletor toy!
I saw it in theater, and would continually rent it on videotape from the video store. Sure the differences between it and the cartoon first bugged me, I must have found something endearing about it since I kept renting it. Oh FYI. Should anyone be inclined, this movie is available to watch legally and for FREE on RUclips, or Tubi TV on Roku.
Ahhh the good ol’ days. I’ve experienced this movie as a child in the Soviet block without any clue for what is the MOTU franchise. Loved every minute of it. Hopefully the nostalgia wave for all the 30+ YO’s with credit cards will bring more respect for this piece...
I had the pleasure of watching this film with my Grandma in Summer '87 at the Plaza Bonita Mall's, Mann 6 Plaza Theater back in San Diego. I enjoyed the film as well as the trip to Kay-Bee Toy store afterwards.
I bloody ADORE this film and it’s massively underrated. Skeletor is more complex and compelling then nearly all of the great cinematic villains. His dialogue shows such depth The fact the film got made at all is a wonder I enjoy it way more than Star Wars
the movie was filmed in Southern California. Eternia was Vasquez Rocks. I use to play there often as it was only a half hour away from Santa Clarita where I lived. I think "New Jersey" was Whittier? They scouted some places in Iceland early on before the money dried up...
Saw it in the theater (my older Sister took me), and watched it a lot on VHS. Then I became a snarky, angsty teen and I distanced myself from it until my late 30's when I watched it again and ended up loving it more than ever. I even showed it to my Daughter and she had a blast. I'm excited for those Super7 figures. #GoodJourney
I was way into the cartoon, but I still loved this movie. I saw it about two years after it was released and was later surprised to discover that a considerable number of film critics did not share my enthusiasm.
There actually was a sort-of use of the movie continuity later on. In the final two issues (12 and 13) of the Marvel/Star Comics MOTU, Adam had to travel to a bad future where Skeletor had won because he obtained 'something called the Cosmic Key'. Actually a very good story, much less kiddie than the rest of the series. This may have even had a nod to the cancelled sequel, since it said Skeletor used the key to seal Eternia off from Etheria. The Cosmic Key was almost all that was in there, since these comics were 90% based on the Filmation continuity. In other news, young male lead Kevin so impressed with his aid of He-Man, he was taken into the future and managed to disgrace himself in Starfleet Academy - twice, before finally getting it right.
I remember my older brother taking me to see it in theaters. As a huge fan of both He-Man and Dolph Lundgren, I was still very unhappy. I've never even attempted to re-watch it, after all these years. It was that disappointing.
Still like the movie despite its warts. Visually its still a great looking movie. I loved Frank Langella and Billy Barty and a very young Robert Duncan McNeill before his got his part in Star Trek Voyager.
He-Man was my first "fandom". 3rd birthday was He-Man themed. I watched the cartoon daily. I had a He-Man alarm clock, a kid sized power sword and shield, a large assortment of figures. You name it. I absolutely loved it. I was nearly 5 years old when the film came out. I saw it in the theater. And it absolutely sucked. It effectively killed He-Man for me. Years and years later I saw it again and loved the bits on Eternia. If film had just been set there, it could have been great. And Frank Langella as Skeletor is really the best part of the entire thing.
Really good overview. If they would have just utilized the mini-comic for their inspiration, nixing the cartoon would have been more acceptable. Skeletor on the throne, in Castle Greyskull, a familiar falcon, Zoar, in a cage, and prisoners being walked out under guard. The battle just ended. Zoom out the window to show the flag magically changing to indicate evil's presence in the Castle. Then go back through the closing drawbridge to show Evil Lynn leading Skeletor's minions back to the throne room, bringing him an object wrapped in thick fabric, covered in dust. Zoar sees the package and they reuse the cry from the cartoon. Inside the bundle is the entire Power Sword, whole, which burned the hands of Evil Lynn, and his minions who tried to retrieve it.
This, Turtles and Big Trouble in Little China are 3 of my favorite movies. Saw all 3 in theaters between the ages of 9-12 when they came out. Movies didn't have the super effects of today but the imagination and uniqueness of those movies is untouchable for me.
I loved this movie as a kid! My brothers and I used to watch it on every rainy day. Heck, I still love it. I got it on blu ray a few years ago. If you look at it closely, it's more of a DC New Gods movie than a He-Man movie.
I was big into MOTU as a kid but was almost completely unaware of movies/etc; some time after I or my brother had the VHS as a gift one birthday and we thought it was 'ehhhh'. I feel that by that point MOTU was all but done anyway, we had started to favour Transformers and Thundercats by then.
I live in NJ and trust me it's as close to Eternia as you could possibly imagine, monsters running amuck, everything covered in slime, muscle men walking around with their shirts off, you name it!
Dammit, @trtle dave! I really wanted to go on a rant about how Jersey isn't a terrible place but I appreciate and respect your satirical reply. Jersey is a terrible place, except when it isn't!
West Side Ave, South of Communipaw Ave was where I was born and raised!
Are you also a Hudson County Kid too?
@@spymagicianzero5070 My mother lived on 1021 West Side Avenue, when she was a kid!
@@spymagicianzero5070 Ruffway representin' (Union County), borned and raised!
So do I, and nowhere near a farm (maybe Edison) but a record store.
@@Smacgregor88 Vintage Vinyl!
As a fan of Cannon Films this was actually really good for a Cannon Production. Also Bless Frank Langella for wanting to be Skeletor because his son was a He-Man Fan.
Jokerz 79 ...for a 1988 low budget movie..it was good! I saw this as a kid on vhs...it never bothered me it took place on earth or that he never changed into prince adam
I think the studio also did the Lou Ferigno Hercules movies, possibly the weirdest thing of the decade.
@@TheEvilpossum Oh hell yes, lol. The Ferigno Hercules movies have to be seen to be believed, lol.
That also reminds me how Raul Julia played M. Bison in Street Fighter for his kids. Amazing the level of performance they give for properties they have no interest in but do it for their kids. Probably 2 of favorite villain performances.
I agree, for the budget and time, they did a great job. I liked all the actors, Langella was amazing, and the sets and costumes were fantastic. Evil-lyn was awesome too, with Meg Foster's eyes being their own special effect. She was brilliant in the role, only second to Langella.
Saw the movie just before my birthday with my friends at a two screen theater in Easton PA. That theater is now a Retro Fitness that plays 80s movies while you exercise. Cosmic alignment right there.
What an awesome concept for a fitness place!
“...Langella’s Skeletor would ham it up like ham was going out of style & the only way to save it was to make more ham” THIS IS GOLD!!!
Seeing all the film titles listed on that 1987 box office chart filled me so much nostalgia that my heart almost exploded. Man, the 80s really were a magical time.
They definitely were. But this movie was a massive let down, to put it nicely, for what was a really magical time.
I remember I was 7 or 8 when I saw this film on video and I was all like "this isn't he-man!" to my family, and accused them of lying about the movie lol
And the best part about this is that this happened several times as a kid going to the movie theaters (super Mario brothers) even ninja turtles I wasn’t a fan of until the second one came out. Yeah these lighthearted cartoons they make them into these darker scary movies the parents were like what the hell, lol
LOL
Damn if only the right person heard you at a test screening lmao
I said the same thing ......... it wasnt the he-man we knew but I still liked the movie lol. for some reason I considered it like the space balls of the he-man universe
You must have been a dumb kid. I was 5 or 6, clearly knew it was He-Man because his name was He-Man, there was Man-at-Arms and Teela and Skeletor and Beast Man. And then yeah they left Eternia and were in New Jersey which was super lame, and I didn't understand they did that for budget reasons, but I still understood it was a He-Man movie, just a shitty one.
Say what you will about the final product, but I love the production design of this movie. The sets, costumes, and props all look fantastic.
And as others have noted, it helps that Frank Langella knew exactly what kind of schlock he was in, and chewed the scenery like it was made of bubblegum. How can you not love a movie where the villain yells "Let this be our final battle!" right before his climactic fight with the hero?
This is the perfect example of a shit movie, with really crap story writing and obviously produced by an incompetant studio that firstly doesn't care, and secondly, knows fuck all about the franchise and what would appeal to the viewers.
Then to top it off, they were planning on making a sequal that would be even more shit, if that's even possible.
So glad they went bankrupt. They deserve all the negative backlash and much more for the shit that they subjected us too.
@@russkate88 u watched garbage pail kids, the super Mario bros movie and my pet monster, the live action movie when u were young didnt you?
The whole thing reminds me of the 90's Streetfighter live-action movie,with JCVD and the late Raul Julia,as General Bison.
Raul Julia was diagnosed with cancer and took the role only,because his kids were big fans of the videogame.He quickly realised what a total schlockfest it was and just went completely bananas with his performance,which elevates the movie.
''The day,Gen.Biso graced you insignificant village with his presence was the most important day in your life.For me,it was just Tuesday.'' xD
Sadly he passed away before the premiere,from cancer RIP.
No. I missed out on all that @@MarkEdwardRom
I've always had a ton of fun with this movie. And the score is great
It's silly, funny and doesn't take itself too seriously. Skeletor was awesome as was the woman who played Teela
@@tgmartin Yep
These 80's cheese movies........ He-man , Beastmaster , Howard the Duck..... etc. all those movies arent oscar movies but they are still fun and goofiness is part of the charm.
Frank L. Is amazing as skeletor. His lines are fantastic and the best parts of the movie. Meg Foster is great too. He may be too old now but if there was an ideal casting for Dr. Doom it would be Frank L.
I will never understand the hate this movie garnered. I saw it in the theater as a child and loved it. Adult me still loves it, as I watch it at least once a year. The movie's great.
Because the movie SUCKS.
That is why it gets the hate.
As a child of the 80s whose Christmas mornings were filled with He-Man toys I can explain why it is not beloved...
Don't take an IP full of interesting and memorable characters and then not include said characters. Skeletor and Evilyn were fine interpretations, but too many characters were missing and the new ones mostly sucked. Karg was awful, Blade was ok, and Saurod lasted about 30 seconds. Setting the movie on Earth was also a huge mistake. Combine that with bad dialogue and annoying protagonists and you've just been served a turd sandwich.
It was cheap ads hell
I also saw it in the theater as a child and was incredibly disappointed. It had almost no resemblance to the cartoon I loved. Movies like this made it okay to make movies like super Mario bros. Just cash grab bullshit.
Doing filming, the high school they were filming in got burnt down when the fire got out of control doing the battle between He-Man and Skeletor's minions. Moments after that scene, you can see the fire trucks driving towards the burning school. You probably can find that video on RUclips, check it out.
By the way, the special effects in this movie are real great. It's a shame it didn't have a bigger budget for it to take place in Eternia.👍
I was this many years old(43)when i found out that Masters Of The Universe wasn’t based on the He-Man cartoon.It all makes sense why it turned out the way it did now.Mind blown🤯 Youve taught me something yet again.Bravo Toy Galaxy.....bravo
7:50 Robocop, The Lost Boys, Beverly Hills Cop II, Full Metal Jacket, The Untouchables, Adventures in Babysitting... What a great time to be a cinema goer~
The intro to that movie was one of my favorite intros of all time.
As a kid I was disappointed with the movie. But looking back it's a fun 80's action film. If you take HeMan as you know him out, and just watch the flick, it's a lot of fun.
Well what's the point of calling it He Man then, if it has basically nothing to do with He Man?
They may aswell have just called it something else and said guest starring He Man, Skeletor, Man At Arms, Teela and Gwildor.
@@russkate88 thats why they called it masters of the universe. if the movie was called heman & the video would have to center on heman and not something else. during the whole film the whole heman arc felt tacked on as an addition to a sappy teenage romance drama
I agree, which is one of the contributing factors for this movie being so bad @@MarkEdwardRom
One fun fact that I learned about this movie is that one of the cast members is Robert Duncan McNeill. For those of us who are Star Trek Fans, he was best known for playing Lieutenant Tom Paris in Star Trek: Voyager. He also appeared in Star Trek TNG as Cadet Nicolas Locarno.
Masters of the Universe is the best Jack Kirby's Fourth World movie we will ever get.
Gary Goddard apparently openly admitted that the Fourth World was a huge influence on the movie, as he figured this was the closest shot he'd get to making a movie actually based on the comic
If that's the best he could do, I'd hate to see what his worst would be.
That is hilarious!!!!😂😂😂
Nah.
Lol. Probably. @@thefamilybean420
I saw Masters of the Universe on T.v when I was in High School and I loved, Frank Langella made a captivating Skeletor, way better than the cartoon version. I think It wouldve made more money if they had stuck more closely to the He- man mythology, I think the studio stretched their resources too thin and ended up losing out.
I saw this film with my father when I was 6. The local mall had a theater with a sticky floor. It was great. I still like this movie and watch it every five years or so.
I was still playing with He-Man toys when this movie was released, but still I never saw this movie until I was 40. Even 10-year-olds were saying this movie sucked when it came out, and Transformers were delivering the goods.
I still remember winning tickets to the movie from a colouring in competition in the local paper. I remember being so excited to see it, then really confused after I did with all the random changes....
I still have a real soft spot for this film. Yes, at the time i was a little disappointed that the He Man and Skeletor on screen, didnt look exactly like my figures. But, what the Hell. I grew to love the Film versions, and the film. On day the film was due into my local video rental shop, i ran up to the shop 3 times, to see if it had arrived yet. Great times. Great memories. Miss you so much Mum❤.
It's got engaging performances from everyone in the cast.
I did my part! I saw that movie twice in theaters, and rented it at least 2 dozen time (to the chagrin of my entire family) from Phar-mor. Even though I loved the cartoon, I remember not at all caring that the movie took place on Earth. I was just so happy to see a He-Man movie, they could have done anything and I would have loved it.
Frank Langella's Skeletor was so good, and that performance alone is worth watching this movie.
I always have and always will, absolutely and unwaveringly, love and support Masters of the Universe 1987! I even held a watch party in my new apartment on the 30th anniversary of its theatrical release!
Also, let's not forget, the actors who played the teenagers found themselves some mega prime-time success within 7 years of the film's release..it was not a total failure!
Yep, Courtney Cox would go on to play Monica in Friends, and Robert Duncan McNeill would go on to play Lt. Tom Paris is Star Trek Voyager. I was a kid at the time and didn't remember they were in it until I saw the film on TV many years later.
@@torockchick Same! I did not draw the connection whatsoever. Hell, I think it took me a bit to realize Lccarno from TNG's "The First Duty" = Tom Paris in Voyager (quite literally, they just weren't allowed to use the name) lol
Masters of the Universe was actually the first movie I ever saw in theaters. I was 5 and it was amazing (to me) It still holds a special place in my dark heart
Frank Langella played that Skeletor role very well. Everyone else I didn't like in that movie.
Evil Lynn was really good too I thought.
@@rodster6campingprepper Well she looked the part, man Meg Forester's eyes they're piercingly inhuman they're practically a special-effect
Lung was ok. Gildour was funny but a weak orko substitute, man at arms was droll and tela was meh. my fav silly moment was when gildour tried to communicate with the cow. the 80s were special. oh and James Tolkan as detective Lubic stole the show. His one liners were gold!
Okay.
No References to it's stellar human cast? Courtney Cox and Robert Duncan McNeill? Okay, they were not big names back then, but Cox would go on to earn... I'm guessing trillions, on Friends and McNeill will forever be Tom Paris from Voyager. Seriously- that's already pre-written on his tombstone.
Courtney Cox is the goddamn MVP of this movie. You can see what a great actress she's going to become by watching this movie. She fucking sells that shit and makes you believe it.
Also no mention that the director is an alleged pedophile - this exists mostly to advertise Super 7's new figures by the looks of it.
Haha i forgot that was him
I didn't own the VHS of this until I found it this year at a local comic con. I grew up watching a tape one of my dad's co-workers recorded when it aired on Showtime. They stopped it before the MOTU credits ended and went to Pee Wee's Big Adventure. When I saw it in the theater, we didn't stay for the end of the credits. Imagine how surprised I was when this movie was released on DVD, and I watched it with the commentary track right out of the package. Mind = blown over the He-Man movie post credits scene I discovered in my early 20s.
Your content gets my attention just by the titles. And after watching I'm never disappointed.
I'm pleased to say that I saw it in a small local theater here in Cape Town South Africa in 87. I was 6 and just happy to see the live action version. I do remember wondering why Orko and Battlecat were missing and why it was set on earth with lame humans 🤷🏻♂️
I watched the movie as a child with my sister in a small cinema in Bebra, Germany. That was the first time ever, that we were alone in a cinema screening. No other audience showed up. I totally liked the movie at that time and still have an earworm from the soundtrack. What a pity the movie was not successful.
I remember seeing this in the theatre when I was 7 and obsessed with all things He-Man. To say I was... CONFLICTED would be the understatement of a lifetime.
I didn't see it at the movies but I remember my mom renting it for my brother and I after it came out. As a kid I actually liked it and didn't see what was so bad that everyone hated it. It was fun and goofy and I had a good time. Plus I really liked Langella's Skeletor.
(Basically echoing comments I've made about the 1987 movie a dozen times before), I'm a lifelong hardcore MOTU fan. By the time the movie came out (a couple of years too late, it would have been a bigger hit if released earlier) the line itself was very much on it's last legs, with an over-gimmicky "anything goes" feel that was taking it's toll. However... even as a boy I LOVED the 1987 movie.
I think I was very forgiving as I was very familiar with the early mini-comics and various other versions of the lore (of which there were many); furthermore I was and am a "pre-Filmation" fan, with no Prince Adam and rougher more barbarian feel. So I was immediately forgiving that there wasn't more Filmation-inspired content in there. (Also, as well as budget, it is actually possible that copyright issues were encountered with a lot of Filmation-created elements; similar issues were encountered in the first couple of years of the MOTU Classics toyline).
Dolph Lundgren's voice was... well, it wasn't good, but he certainly looked the part (I think in my young mind I just put the accent down to 'broken barbarian'). But the true star of the movie is undoubtedly Frank Langella, making an awesome Skeletor with near-Shakespearean lines at times; and Langella's enthusiasm for the project really shines through in his performance.
In certainly was disappointing that SO MUCH of the movie took place on Earth for budgetary reasons; but it was also a shame a few of of the familiar existing characters weren't used - instead, mostly new Evil Warriors were created, as well as cost-saving Orko-replacement Gwildor, mostly as a way to try and flog some new characters to kids; but I do think using more of the iconic existing characters instead of the newbies would have certainly helped audiences warm to the movie.
But in spite of that... even all these years later, I still love this movie. Sure, I love of that is novelty and nostalgia - hey, it's live action He-Man! But even beyond that... look past the differences in lore, this is actually a very enjoyable B-movie-like adventure, and with some very decent action set pieces, you do get a lot of bang for your buck considering it's very low budget nature and the era. Although it's one of those movies '80s nostalgia fans love to pick apart, I think it's become on of those that has a certain reputation attached to it but one that actually has more genuine fans that is often recognised.
...That's my mini-essay. I can write reams on this movie!
I remember seeing this in the theatre. I loved it, but just couldn't wrap my head around why it had nothing to do with the cartoon show. Now I know.
When I was 7 yrs old, I remember seeing the trailer on TV and then the toys at store and I was offended by it all. I pretty much wasn't interested in He-Man as much. I expected this is how it would be from then on. I just watched the film for the first time last month (free on RUclips) and I have to say it's a gem. It's like you said, Dan a slice of a time capsule. It's a nice piece of 80's film goodness. And, that's it.
I basically spent the 80s watching Cannon films. So damn bad they were all classics. That weekend my dad too me to see Masters and Robocop. Ahhhh good times.
Yes! It was !!
with the Digital TV expansion (and all the sub-channels, This, Charge, Movies, etc) I'm seeing more 80s stuff put into rotation and I was shocked at how many movies had Cannon/Golan Globus involved at some level
Loved this movie. Growing up, I saw it on cable numerous times. When my daughter turned 5 I introduced her to this movie. Was fun reliving it with her.
'In Eternia we don't say good video we say good journey.' ;)
hey, I still say "Good Jorney" sometimes, to loved ones at the airport. :-)
I like how He Man in this movie looks like an 80's hair metal barbarian like Ator or the Beastmaster.
Or a guy in a band named Eternia?
I'm seriously hooked on this freaking series. I was born in 1979 and grew up in the 1980's, so all this stuff...the He-Man movie, Captain Power, Mighty Orbots, Bionic 6...I remember every bit of it fondly.
SO, you've done the Masters of The Universe movie...now do The New Adventures of He-Man. Because WTF was that?
Great vid Dan! I saw Masters of the Universe in theaters and no lie 10 year old me thought it was the greatest thing ever, lol. It wasn't until my later years that the whole "being on earth instead of Eternia" thing irked me. To this day I still enjoy watching it and thought that the movie designs of He-man & Skeletor were great.
i was five. I thought it was so amazing, I watched it as many times as i could since my older siblings worked at the theater!
I was born in 81' and gotta say I like this movie. I watched it as a kid and still watch it today.
I was born in '87, so I missed the original He-Man series and toyline. However growing up in the 90s, I used to watch the movie all the time.
I remember being in the theater and when it jumped to the Earth scenes, even my 7 yr old self wondered if I was watching the right movie or if somebody “switched the films” upstairs.
Bonus points for multiple New Jersey jokes in the same video that isn’t about a Kevin Smith film.
The Jersey setting explains He-Man's mullet.
I grew up watching the movie on VHS. Then subsequently bought it on DVD and then Blu-ray.
Acts 1 and 3, aka the stuff on Eternia, are pretty great. Act 2 the middle of the movie in Jersey sucks until Skeletor arrives on Earth.
Learning about the backstory of the movie, I'm coming to understand Canon Studio Shady dealings, and learning that a lot of the movie was inspired by Jack Kirby's New Gods and fourth world comics make the movie infinitely more enjoyable.
Also learning good Frank langella took the role because of the children and his family and their enthusiasm for He-Man, and learning that Skeletor happens to be his favorite performance of his career, also make the movie that much more enjoyable to experience.
Also, saurod and beastman looked awesome. And Meg Foster as evil Lyn was rather attractive in a disturbing and intimidating kind of way.
This movie still haunts my childhood memories.
The next time I see it on DVD in some dirt cheap discount bin I'll pick it up.
Found my copy for $2 at a thrift store
I remember being stoked as a kid to see this movie, having been obsessed with the MOTU cartoon... But, it turned out to be my first experience leaving a theater saying, ‘Wow, that was awesome!’ But feeling, at the same time, like something was really off with it. In my later life, having revisited it once or twice, it mostly felt like a grand missed opportunity. And yet, I still have a small fondness in my heart for it.
I saw it in theaters when it came out. I was 13. I left thinking"that wasn't so bad" but I remember in the days following I kept thinking why wouldn't they match the cartoon.
I saw it in theaters as a child, I loved he-man so it was okay, I just kept thinking, who the hell is that weird dwarf.
Yeah I was 5 or 6 and I still remember walking away going wtf was that shit!! Was nothing like the cartoon we loved ( altho looking back it is absolute trash )
I remember reading somewhere that they created Gwildor (the dwarf) due to not having the computer technology to make Orko
I watched it on VHS. It was one of the first VHS tapes completely in English (no subtitles) we had at home.
Same here, came across it in the video rental area of a local convenience store. I had literally no idea there even was a MotU live action movie until I saw that cover.
I remember my parents renting the Masters of the Universe vhs tape for me as a kid. I'm only twenty-one, so I didn't grow up at the peak of the franchise, but I watched the 2000's show, and that told me enough that it wasn't that good of a film. I still like it as a smorgasbord of 80's action and aesthetic, but I couldn't ever love it.
Definitely saw this with my 4 best friends at the drive-in WHILE we were holding our action figures and making them fight. The oldest among us was 6 years old. NONE of that helped to make this a better movie experience. And we TRIED! We really tried.
Canon Films gave us so much in the 80's and early 90's that it's hard not to give them a pass for this and Superman IV. Delta Force, Death Wish, Over the Top, scores of ninja movies. The list goes on and on. But maybe Dolph should have played Nuclear Man in Superman IV instead.
Don't forget Lifeforce.
@@edwarddillon5886 who could forget Lifeforce? ... Well, I guess a lot of people could...
@@dbeane43 Hahahaha! Good one, still one of my favorites.
I saw this film in the theater. I was old enough that He-Man wasn't in my toy box much anymore, but the story and costumes seemed alright to me. I didn't hate it, perhaps even had some fun with it!
12 year old me was excited to see this in 87. 12 year old me walked out of the theater pissed off. I grew up in NJ and I couldn't figure out why it was set in NJ.
Understandable.
I still like Dolph Lundgren's Masters of the Universe. A fun movie!
I love this movie when i discovered it as a child in 1990 or so. I loved it when i bought it on dvd and i loved it when i bought it on bluray. Frank langella skeletor is awesome
I'm glad you talked about the mini comics. I loved those as a kid and felt betrayed when the cartoon came out. I was very disappointed that the cartoon didn't follow the original story and my interest in the toy line really diminished after that. I didn't start collecting them again till well into adulthood. Great vid as usual!
I loved it when it came out and I still love it now. Langella's performance as Skeletor is the stuff of legends!
I’m sure I’m not alone when I say I love your channel and wish we had more content from Toy Galaxy. I know y’all spend a lot of time on production, but I wouldn’t mine lesser production quality if it meant we could get more content. Keep up the great job and thank you!
Bad advice. Never sacrifice quality for quantity.
Always a contrarian.... the point is I’d love more content ....
Frank Langella! To this day blows me away how amazing he was!
I still love this film. Designs, soundtrack, even casting looks great to me. Its greatest problem was bringing the story to Earth, and all characters about it. Had it got decent budget, keeping the story fully set on Eternia, and with more characters from the original franchise, it would have become memorable.
You know - and I mean this in a totally positive way - I think my favorite thing about this channel is Dan's ability to deliver even the most ridiculous sentences you could ever imagine coming out of a person's mouth, and doing so with complete sincerity.
My folks never took the bros and I to see any of the movies based on the cartoons/toy lines/popular culture of our generation. I had to wait until this was out on VHS - and then I had to wait even longer for my folks to actually get a VCR. One rental later, and suddenly, we were hearing about this cool new series about ninja turtles.
After watching this I get the feeling like you are trying insinuate that New Jersey is somehow responsible for the failure of the He-man movie? As someone who is from New Jersey not only am I completely insulted by this accusation but I also realize you are absolutely correct. New Jersey has been the downfall for many great things in this world...
Including New Jersey itself
Cyber Demon 😂 so true.
then why is it called "New" Jersey?
You had me in the first half, not going to lie hahaha
I was so eager to see this when it came out. I grew up to the animated series. Very let down when I did see it. Oh well, at least I had the Beastmaster at that age.
...and then Beastmaster 2 had the same plot as Masters of the Universe if I recall correctly. I'm...so sorry.
I loved both films as a kid, but I can't watch Beastmaster if you paid me. Then again, that could be due to TBS killing my love for that movie after rerunning it so dammed much in the 90's. On the other hand, childhood expectations aside, the MOTU film actually holds up as a decent film when looked upon as it's own thing.
I use to love Beastmaster! I hadn’t thought about that movie in forever 😂
This movie was shit beyond comparison.
I can't comment on Beastmaster as I've never seen it.
@@russkate88 a scentless turd maybe but not the worst shit from that era. this was just lame and corny.
I remember liking the movie the first time I watched it as a kid, but I was confused as to why they replaced Orko with Gwildor. The only disappointment I remember having was that they had changed Skeletor's voice actor for the movie's dub, since he sounded so different (I'm Brazilian, so I was watching the local dub, obviously). Many years later, as an adult, due to the magic of the internet and old movie clips shared on youtube, I realized that they didn't change the voice actor, he was just doing a different voice, more suited to the movie version of the character. And, frankly, the guy is AWESOME in both incarnations of the character (and as Wolverine as well). Having watched the movie in english as an adult, I have nothing but praise for the amazing performance Frank Langella delivered. Now I need that movie Skeletor toy!
I saw it in theater, and would continually rent it on videotape from the video store. Sure the differences between it and the cartoon first bugged me, I must have found something endearing about it since I kept renting it. Oh FYI. Should anyone be inclined, this movie is available to watch legally and for FREE on RUclips, or Tubi TV on Roku.
Cyborg was an ok movie. Imagine my surprise when I found out it was originally meant to be a MotU sequel
Jcluade would have been corny in a masters squeal, but we got live action wonky street fighter instead so im ok. no need to overdo it.
The sequel is better.
I adore this movie, and it's entirely because of Langella's Skeletor.
Ahhh the good ol’ days. I’ve experienced this movie as a child in the Soviet block without any clue for what is the MOTU franchise. Loved every minute of it. Hopefully the nostalgia wave for all the 30+ YO’s with credit cards will bring more respect for this piece...
He Man was my childhood . I would hold my imaginary sword up and scream by the power of Greyskull
I was fan of the animated series growing up and loved the movie, still do. I even have an original movie poster from the theater.
I had the pleasure of watching this film with my Grandma in Summer '87 at the Plaza Bonita Mall's, Mann 6 Plaza Theater back in San Diego. I enjoyed the film as well as the trip to Kay-Bee Toy store afterwards.
I've got 'Masters of the Universe' new, watched only once by myself on laserdisc. And it feels a little dirty to say that.
I bloody ADORE this film and it’s massively underrated. Skeletor is more complex and compelling then nearly all of the great cinematic villains. His dialogue shows such depth
The fact the film got made at all is a wonder
I enjoy it way more than Star Wars
I wish it didn't.
the movie was filmed in Southern California. Eternia was Vasquez Rocks. I use to play there often as it was only a half hour away from Santa Clarita where I lived.
I think "New Jersey" was Whittier? They scouted some places in Iceland early on before the money dried up...
Saw it in the theater (my older Sister took me), and watched it a lot on VHS. Then I became a snarky, angsty teen and I distanced myself from it until my late 30's when I watched it again and ended up loving it more than ever. I even showed it to my Daughter and she had a blast. I'm excited for those Super7 figures. #GoodJourney
I love this film. The casting was perfect and He-man even said “I have the power!”. Maybe it’s just my nostalgia.
I was way into the cartoon, but I still loved this movie. I saw it about two years after it was released and was later surprised to discover that a considerable number of film critics did not share my enthusiasm.
As I recall, Canon was responsible for Life force, another genre mashup that did poorly at the box office.
That's one of my favorite movies of all time.
Skeletor in this movie is one of my top 3 bad guys. Lots of problems with the movie but Frank langella was the perfect skeletor.
Was that Adam Sandler in the movie trailer testimonial: “Skeletor! Skeletor!?”
Saw this at my local drive-in. One of, if not the earliest of my movie-going memories.
I take it setting the sequel on Earth was an attempt to keep from building another VERY expensive Castle Greyskull set?
There actually was a sort-of use of the movie continuity later on. In the final two issues (12 and 13) of the Marvel/Star Comics MOTU, Adam had to travel to a bad future where Skeletor had won because he obtained 'something called the Cosmic Key'. Actually a very good story, much less kiddie than the rest of the series. This may have even had a nod to the cancelled sequel, since it said Skeletor used the key to seal Eternia off from Etheria. The Cosmic Key was almost all that was in there, since these comics were 90% based on the Filmation continuity.
In other news, young male lead Kevin so impressed with his aid of He-Man, he was taken into the future and managed to disgrace himself in Starfleet Academy - twice, before finally getting it right.
I remember my older brother taking me to see it in theaters. As a huge fan of both He-Man and Dolph Lundgren, I was still very unhappy. I've never even attempted to re-watch it, after all these years. It was that disappointing.
Still like the movie despite its warts. Visually its still a great looking movie. I loved Frank Langella and Billy Barty and a very young Robert Duncan McNeill before his got his part in Star Trek Voyager.
This video unlocked all the memories of reading those comics. I completely forgot
He-Man was my first "fandom". 3rd birthday was He-Man themed. I watched the cartoon daily. I had a He-Man alarm clock, a kid sized power sword and shield, a large assortment of figures. You name it. I absolutely loved it.
I was nearly 5 years old when the film came out. I saw it in the theater. And it absolutely sucked. It effectively killed He-Man for me. Years and years later I saw it again and loved the bits on Eternia. If film had just been set there, it could have been great. And Frank Langella as Skeletor is really the best part of the entire thing.
Really good overview. If they would have just utilized the mini-comic for their inspiration, nixing the cartoon would have been more acceptable. Skeletor on the throne, in Castle Greyskull, a familiar falcon, Zoar, in a cage, and prisoners being walked out under guard. The battle just ended. Zoom out the window to show the flag magically changing to indicate evil's presence in the Castle. Then go back through the closing drawbridge to show Evil Lynn leading Skeletor's minions back to the throne room, bringing him an object wrapped in thick fabric, covered in dust.
Zoar sees the package and they reuse the cry from the cartoon. Inside the bundle is the entire Power Sword, whole, which burned the hands of Evil Lynn, and his minions who tried to retrieve it.
This, Turtles and Big Trouble in Little China are 3 of my favorite movies. Saw all 3 in theaters between the ages of 9-12 when they came out. Movies didn't have the super effects of today but the imagination and uniqueness of those movies is untouchable for me.
I HAVE THE POWER!!! still gives me goose bumps every time!
I loved this movie as a kid! My brothers and I used to watch it on every rainy day. Heck, I still love it. I got it on blu ray a few years ago. If you look at it closely, it's more of a DC New Gods movie than a He-Man movie.
5:27 "City-state planet universe dimension whatever" is vocalized and phrased in a brilliant fashion.
I was big into MOTU as a kid but was almost completely unaware of movies/etc; some time after I or my brother had the VHS as a gift one birthday and we thought it was 'ehhhh'. I feel that by that point MOTU was all but done anyway, we had started to favour Transformers and Thundercats by then.