Review of Masters of the Universe (1987) by Lindsay W — 29 May 2009

I'm willing to give 80s films a lot of leeway, but this is just too much to forgive. Unlike Flash Gordon, which embrassed its ridiculousness, this film seemed to take itself too seriously. And in a story where the main character runs around almost naked, carrying a sword, fighting a skeleton-faced megalomaniac, and yelling "I have the power," being stoic is probably not the way to go.

I will give a slight nod to the decent special effects, but the horrible costumes and makeup still make this visually laughable. Courtney Cox was just about the only actor that didn't make me want to cry.

Even Billy Barty, who usually brings a smile to my face, was just awful in this - although a lot of blame for his poor performance goes back to the costume/makeup issue. Unless you're really into the He-Man mythos (and willing to forgive that it apparently has very little in common with the character from the comics and cartoon), then there's really no reason to subject yourself to this.