Movie Background

Masters of the Universe

When the evil Skeletor discovers a mysterious power called the Cosmic Key, he becomes nearly invincible, seizing Castle Grayskull and the surrounding city. The Sorceress is now Skeletor's prisoner and he begins to drain her life-force as he waits for Eternia's moon to align with the Great Eye of the Universe, which will bestow god-like power upon him. However, courageous warrior He-Man locates the locksmith-inventor Gwildor, who created the Key and has another version of it. During a battle, one of the Keys is transported to Earth, where it is found by teenagers Julie and Kevin. Now, both He-Man and Skeletor's forces arrive on Earth searching for the potent weapon.

Director(s)

Robert Duncan McNeill

Gary Goddard

Adrienne Hamalian-Mangine

Frederic B. Blankfein

John Eyler

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Cast & Crew

Dolph Lundgren

Dolph Lundgren

He-Man

Courteney Cox

Courteney Cox

Julie Winston

Christina Pickles

Christina Pickles

Sorceress

Chelsea Field

Chelsea Field

Teela

Meg Foster

Meg Foster

Evil-Lyn

Gwynne Gilford

Gwynne Gilford

Mrs. Winston

Barry Livingston

Barry Livingston

Charlie

Walter Scott

Walter Scott

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Adrienne Hamalian-Mangine

Adrienne Hamalian-Mangine

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Frank Langella

Frank Langella

Skeletor

Anthony De Longis

Anthony De Longis

Blade

Billy Barty

Billy Barty

Gwildor

Frederic B. Blankfein

Frederic B. Blankfein

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Jon Cypher

Jon Cypher

Man At Arms

James Tolkan

James Tolkan

Detective Lubic

Jessica Nelson

Jessica Nelson

Monica

Robert Duncan McNeill

Robert Duncan McNeill

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Gary Goddard

Gary Goddard

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Robert Towers

Robert Towers

Karg

Walter Robles

Walter Robles

Carl the Janitor

Pons Maar

Pons Maar

Saurod

Tony Carroll

Tony Carroll

Beast Man

Cindi Eyman

Cindi Eyman

Gloria

Peter Brooks

Peter Brooks

Narrator (voice)

Richard Szponder

Richard Szponder

Pigboy

Mike Carlucci

Mike Carlucci

Warlord (uncredited)

Nicholas Grabowsky

Nicholas Grabowsky

Skeletor's Dark Trooper

John Eyler

John Eyler

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Details

GenresAction, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Adventure, Thriller
Runtime1h 46 mins
Released on07 Aug 1987
Languageen
Age RatingPG
Produced InUnited States of America

Reviews

GenerationofSwine

10/10

Masters of the Universe, at least the cartoon and toys, were one of the reasons I am so happy I had a childhood in the 80s... along with GI Joe and Star Wars, they were some of the most defining things of 80s childhood play. And then this came out and we all felt a little cheated that we had a knock-off Orco, but totally excited that we had a movie we could see on the big screen. And we were young enough to not see how low the budget was. But, man, Frank Langella really sold his role didn't he? He brought his A-Game to this and knocked it out of the park. And Chelsea Field deserved better roles, she's never been bad in any of her films, even this low budget fair. But, watching it as an adult... it's a lot more B-Movie than it was when I was a kid, and the nostalgia and, well, Langella, are all that's really carrying it. But it's still fun. It still entertains, and is still all that matters.

Peter89Spencer

9/10

Somehow, Dolph Lundgren portrayed He-Man brilliantly! This was an epic classic. And it had a young Courtney Cox!

Filipe Manuel Neto

2/10

**The glorious "greasy sci-fi" of the 80s: who doesn't miss the days when a rough rubber mask was a good idea in a movie?** I'm not really a comic connoisseur. It was only when I read about this film that I realized that the characters had been taken from that literary universe and from a line of action toys created by the American company Mattel. This is something that helped me to understand the sheer confusion and goofiness of this film, which I think only toy fans will truly appreciate. The best thing about this movie is the cast. There are some very respectable actors here, and their commitment and talent is remarkable, raising the quality of a cheesy movie quite a bit. Frank Langella's involvement is particularly good. He gave life to the great villain, a being called Skeletor, who looks like Darth Vader in the day he decided to go to Halloween dressed as Death. The character himself isn't impressive, he's a huge cliché without any intimidation ability, but Langella is really enjoying and having fun with this work. On the opposite side is Dolph Lundgren, a herculean and apparently invulnerable young man who came out of the world of combat sports, who doesn't know how to play and has the dramatic qualities of an avocado, but who manages to respond to what is asked of the character. Meg Foster, the proud owner of one of the most beautiful pairs of eyes of her time, has a charisma of her own and does a very good work. But let's be honest, is anyone going to see a movie just for the cast? I do not think so. It's a good argument, but it doesn't take anyone to the theatre by itself. Does the movie have anything else? Do you have qualities? Is it really worth it? There are audiences for all types of cinema, including kitsch, trash and B cinema. The proof of this is the success of some films that would never convince a person with the least amount of good taste. Therefore, I believe that lovers of “oily sci-fi” will be delighted with this magnificent piece of cheese with a very characteristic taste of the 80s. We have everything: stilted action scenes, choreographed like a Russian ballet, extraordinarily cheap special effects, “DIY” level, a very poor script, characters reduced to sketches, dialogues more melodramatic than a Mexican soap opera, crude make-up (Langella's mask is particularly bad) and many laser shots, in the golden age of lasers and neon. One last word for the soundtrack, bloated and arrogant like a 16-year-old on steroids.

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