Masters of the Universe (1987)

“Masters of the Universe” is a live-action adaptation of the popular 1980s animated television series and toy line. The film follows the adventures of He-Man (Dolph Lundgren), the heroic defender of the planet Eternia, as he battles the evil Skeletor (Frank Langella) who seeks to conquer the universe. When Skeletor invades Eternia and gains control of Castle Grayskull, He-Man and his allies—Teela (Chelsea Field), Man-at-Arms (James Tolkan), and Orko (voiced by Christina Pickles)—are thrust into a battle to save their world. They journey to Earth in search of a magical device called the Cosmic Key that can help them reclaim their home and defeat Skeletor.

Dolph Lundgren delivers a classic portrayal of He-Man, embodying the character’s physicality and heroic presence. While his performance is somewhat wooden, it aligns with the film’s campy, larger-than-life tone. Frank Langella’s Skeletor stands out as one of the film’s highlights. Langella’s performance is charismatic and menacing, and he brings a campy gravitas to the role that adds a memorable edge to the film.

Gary Goddard’s direction emphasizes action and fantasy elements, but the film is often criticized for its uneven pacing and lack of character development. The film’s attempts to blend high fantasy with Earth-based settings result in a disjointed narrative that sometimes struggles to balance its epic aspirations with its more mundane aspects.

The plot of “Masters of the Universe” follows a straightforward good-versus-evil storyline with He-Man fighting to save his world from Skeletor’s tyranny. While the film attempts to capture the essence of the animated series, it falls short in terms of depth and complexity. The Earth-based subplot involving the Cosmic Key and the involvement of human characters like Julie (Courtney Cox) and her boyfriend Kevin (Robert Duncan McNeill) feels out of place and detracts from the primary fantasy narrative.

The film explores themes of heroism, friendship, and the battle between good and evil, but these themes are often overshadowed by the film’s campy tone and occasionally confusing plot.