Review of Masters of the Universe (1987) by Nicholas W — 03 Sep 2011

What were we thinking in the 80's?!

A very straight forward plot overly complicated by sci-fiction cliches, poor reflection on the source material & rejects from The Dark Crystal.

There is so much wrong with this film, and so little right and yet I have no regrets in watching it. The cheesy/blatant copying of aspects of other successful films/franchsies from the last 10years, such as Superman & Star Wars makes the film feel sort of familiar, but the quality of acting does not line up with the quality of special effects, make up, script which creates a continual tension while watching. That said this film has one of the most beautiful sets I have ever seen in it's interior of castle Greyskull. And seeing Courteney Cox in a film pre-friends is always a delight too. Cypher puts on the best of some incredibly labored acting and is pleasantly relaxed against Lundgren's stiff and awkward portrayal of He-Man.

You can tell a lot of effort has sort of gone into it to cash in children's interests while still trying to appeal to older men. Though the writers have strayed so far from the source content, they alienate both audiences by making it more of a drunken dream of something we remember vaguely from long ago.

All in all this film is a case book example of having a semi successful source material and trying to work as far from it as possible and expecting a success.

But hey that's what happens when you have Tom Paris saving the day.