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Dolph Lundgren, Frank Langella, Meg Foster, Billy Barty, Courteney Cox ... see more see more... , Chelsea Field , James Tolkan , Christina Pickles , Robert Duncan McNeill , Jon Cypher , Peter Brooks , Anthony De Longis , Gwynne Gilford , Barry Livingston , Pons Maar , Jessica Nelson , Robert Towers , Walter Scott

Dolph Lundgren stars in this live-action film version of the popular television cartoon series (based on a collection of Mattel action figures). Lundgren is He-Man, a well-muscled super-hero, battling... read more read more... the evil Skeletor (Frank Langella) for control of the universe. Skeletor has designs on conquering the planet Eternia, a ravaged utopia ruled over by the Sorceress of Greyskull Castle (Christina Pickles). He-Man is summoned to stop Skeletor's plans. But when the wily dwarf Gwildor (Billy Barty) utilizes his Cosmic Key, He-Man and Skeletor finds themselves transported to California. There, a waitress named Julie (Courteney Cox) and her boyfriend Kevin (Robert Duncan Mitchell) come across the Cosmic Key and become embroiled in the intergalactic battle between He-Man and Skeletor. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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38% liked it

47,360 ratings

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16 critics

PG, 1 hr. 49 min.

Directed by: Gary Goddard

Release Date: August 7, 1987

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DVD Release Date: October 23, 2001

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Flixster Reviews (2,332)

  • phubbs1
    May 2, 2012
    phubbs1
    Oh my how delicious is this piece of 80's panto, some of the best badly adapted hokey nonsense I've seen yet somehow its so damn good :)

    Where to start! this really is your typical fantasy film of the era, every cliche every funny little niche is here as you would expect and the... read more funny thing is it was actually meant to be a blockbuster. I have since found out there were many problems in creating this film and it does show some what, the film is really nothing like the original He-Man cartoon in any way.

    Effects wise this sorta stumbles through with some interesting ideas, some of the makeup is actually quite good, 'Skeletor', 'Beast Man' and 'Saurod' all have pretty nice makeup appliances and costumes which fit the He-Man universe. Other effects are laughably terrible with some awful bluescreen work, nasty models of which most seem ripped straight outta 'Star Wars', faded poor laser blast effects and some of the most hilariously bad stunts and fight choreography you will see. Most kicks and punches clearly (and I mean CLEARLY) don't make their intended contacts lol!

    The cast are actually a mix of decent character actors which is the funny thing, some of these performances saved the film and gave it cult status. Of course Langella as 'Skeletor' is the co de gra of cheesy villains with his snarling voice and bellowing cries lusting for power. For me the best and most amusing performance was James Tolkan as the no nonsense cop 'Lubic' with his sharp tongue, gotta love that guy and his baldness.
    Along for the ride is steady character actor Jon Cypher, fantasy actor regular Billy Barty, Meg Foster as the quite sexual 'Evil-Lyn' in her lovely tight barbarian-esq outfit with luscious lips (oh yeah!) and last of all Courtney Cox, yes THAT Courtney Cox of 'Friends' fame and as you would expect she's still annoying as hell even back then.

    So yes the film is practically a joke with its 'Punch n Judy' style and completely awful effects, fights etc...but it has gained allot of notoriety for just that. Even when I saw this back as a kid I knew the film bared no resemblance to the original material, it always bewildered me why the creators thought to create new bad guys when there were so many rich villains to use, who the hell was 'Blade', 'Karg' and 'Saurod' suppose to be!? where was 'Trap Jaw' 'Tri-Klops' 'Mer-Man' or 'Man-E-Faces'? the same could be said for the heroes also. Then there was the question of who on earth were all these stormtrooper type foot soldiers clad in black armour that were an idea rip from so many films!?.

    I have since found out they were stuck in so 'He-Man' could kill things without becoming too violent for the kids as He-Man wasn't suppose to kill. I can see that now but it still doesn't work right does it, I can't believe Lucas never sued frankly haha even with the almost identical ending to 'ROTJ'.

    Its funny to look back and laugh, even more so to think films like this actually made it to the cinema and were meant to be big money spinners hehe. I actually love how the film just goes off on its own tangent completely ignoring the source material, its so far gone its brilliant in such a bad way. Gotta love 'Skeletor's' golden coloured horned silver foil battle mask getup when he transforms at the end which seems to be a rip off from 'Big Trouble in Little China'!, the way Tolkan swears oh and the fact 'Teela' seems to be wearing a thin thong if you look closely as well :) kids film?.
  • MidnightMadwoman
    February 13, 2011
    MidnightMadwoman
    This film is absolutely hilarious. I was literally laughing out loud, by myself in the basement. There aren't words for this kind of exuberant ridiculous trash. It's got lines like: "You dare threaten her life?" "I DARE ANYTHING! I am Skeletor!" and a villain named Evillyn. Anyon... read moree who expects someone named Evillyn to do anything BUT mess with your day deserves exactly what's coming to them. Imagine, if you will, a film where Courtney Cox, running from extra-terrestrial, bounty-hunting monsters runs straight into the chest of... Fabio. Dolph Lundgren plays He-Man (or rather, as I came to learn, "Heehee!-Man") and spends the movie dressed like he's posing for the cover of a Viking-themed romance novel. I know this because I have read such novels, and they are as much fun as they sound. Oh my god, why am I not watching this movie RIGHT NOW?? Here is the secret formula for making giggly joy: Beefcake in underwear + Cape + Mullet = Hilarity!
  • ajv2688
    February 4, 2011
    ajv2688
    This movie has a good, and interesting, cast. The story is better than I expected from a cartoon I didn't really care for, and it's got a nice combination of sci-fi, fantasy, and 80s cheese. I really enjoyed this movie, and I highly recommend it.
  • DragonEyeMorrison
    November 15, 2010
    DragonEyeMorrison
    Errr, i iked this as a kid, fucking nostalgia.
  • stormyweather980
    June 27, 2010
    stormyweather980
    As someone who is a HUGE fan of the original cartoon series from the 80's (I've often called it my all-time favorite cartoon, I don't know, but it's definitely up there near the very top), I can honestly say that this movie is horrible beyond words when it comes to staying true t... read moreo the original. When it comes to movies made based on a popular cartoon, video game, etc., especially if it's one I love, I want it to be as close to the original as possible. I mean, what's up with saying "Good journey"? They never said that in the cartoon! Skeletor looks hideous, they didn't even color his face yellow, and he had no eyes in the cartoon! I sort of like the dwarf that's on He-Man and crew's side, but like Blade and others on the opposing side, he was never in the series, they made him up just for this movie! And speaking of characters, where are all the fan favorites such as Mer-Man, Tri-Clops, Orko, Prince Adam, Battlecat, etc. etc. The one time He-Man lifts his sword and says "I have the power" isn't convincing at all. Skeletor didn't have armies either, and He-Man and others using guns all the time? Give me a break! The only reason I'm not giving this only half a star is because the story is at least interesting enough to follow, even as uninspired as it is. I thought "Super Mario Bros." was the worst film of this type, but I was wrong. This is. It shouldn't have ever been made, period.
  • ythelastman89
    May 25, 2010
    ythelastman89
    Incredibly bad and inaccurate to the source material, but this is a lot of fun and perfectly wacky. It is a perfect example of 80s movies gone wrong, but this has so many weird elements going on that it's entertaining. Dolph Lundgren as He-Man was really a perfect fit as was Fran... read morek Langella being Skeletor. What really spun this movie out of control was the time traveling element. This movie should have stayed in Eternia, but for some reason it seemed plausible to make the story blend in with pop culture.
  • SirPant
    September 29, 2009
    SirPant
    I got very excited about this film when I was a child. I have still got every He-Man figure (apart from the yellow ?Evil? He-man). I don't have this film though and I doubt I will ever buy it, it?s too much of a disappointment still. I don't think I?ll ever get over how much they... read more changed the characters! Dolph Lundgren & Frank Langella were good though! Watch this music video instead! - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ1u2_PopPk
  • TheMachinist
    July 11, 2009
    TheMachinist
    "I have the power!"

    Ok, this movie doesn't have any power... I'm pretty damn sure that most of us guys who are now in their thirties, have had He-Man action figures. I remember that I collected a lot of 'em. When I grew up, I did what every man had to do... I destroyed them. B... read moreurned them to their plastic origins. But still, fond memories remained and when the movie came out, I was anxious to see it. Probably liked it then but now when I saw it can't say the same thing. This movie destroyed my last good memories of the He-Man universe.

    The cartoons that was aired on TV were, what I recall, fun to watch. A lot of good material that the movie could have based on. But no, the filmmakers had to fuck up that too. Why on earth did they have to put the Eternians to Earth? Why couldn't they give us what we want and do a decent script that would've focused on Prince Adam and his alter ego, He-Man. And were the fuck is Orko!?! What we (former) fans would've wanted is a major battle between the good and evil on Eternia, not some deserted US city.

    So, the story is crap but so is pretty much everything else. The acting is horrific and even my favourite Swede, Dolph Lundgren, couldn't save this film from failing. He does look like He-Man but he doesn't "feel" like it. The action is also one of the weakest parts of the movie. Very lame...

    Now we live in a time of remakes and reboots. Rumors of such a thing has been in the web for a long time. According to Imdb, next year He-Man should give it another shot. Will it work? Probably better than this one. But please, give us then what we want. A proper story with all of the good characters, cause there's a lot of good ones to choose from. Orko would be my choice...
  • matertenebraum
    July 4, 2009
    matertenebraum
    Okay, let's face it. We all have our own opinions on films. Some say the Godfather is one of the best films made. Personally i could name 10 films that easily beat it (Masters of the Universe isn't one of them by the way) but there are much better films out there. But despite our... read more professionalism when it comes to rating films, there's always a special place in our hearts for those really cheesy childhood movies that made on hell of a difference to our upbringing one way or another. Masters of the Universe is one of those films. Frank Langella, Skeletor, plays the part of He-Man's nemesis better than anyone else i could dream of. Dolph was perfect for the part of He-man. Sure there were some good old fashioned bad guys missing. And where was battlecat? I'll tell you where, at the bottom of the budget. At least we had Air Centurions and a damn sexy Evil Lynn. But above all, we had some bad ass lines in there. I think they done well with what they had. Even the tune is good (thanks for Rocky too Bill). If you don't like this movie it's cause you've got no soul. Masters of the Universe is a masterpiece in every way, shape and form. There hasn't been a bad guy like Skeletor (with the exclusion of Darth Vader) who was able to do the role justice. You probably grew up on a steady diet of westerns (that didn't include Clint Eastwood) and therefor have no imagination. If you don't like Masters of the universe then there's a good chance you don't like other classics like Big Trouble in Little China and other such masterpieces. In which case go back to watching so called classics and pick out another sweater from bland wardrobe and rot.
  • FilmFanatik
    March 15, 2009
    FilmFanatik
    Ok, so what if I have a guilty pleasure for or two tucked away on my dvd shelf. Gimme a break. If people can have dvds at home like Disaster Movie or Meet The Browns, then by god I can have Masters Of The Universe on mine, so leave me alone. For me, this movie is all about nos... read moretaglia because I was a Pepsi Generation kid (or a Generation X kid, whichever you prefer) and there were some cool toys and cool cartoons that came out of that era. M.O.T.U. being one of them in both categories. In 1987, they released the live-action movie based on the toy line (not the cartoon which many people misconstrue). Upon its release, the movie peformed terribly at the box office, and so like many movies of its kind, it crashed and burned and never saw its full potential, but let's take a look at the film's positive aspects, shall we? To begin with, the cast is a pretty good one, mostly due to the casting of Frank Langella as Skeletor who steals the show and gives an electrifying and Shakespearian performance. Dolph Lundgren holds his end up pretty well, as does the rest of the remaining cast, including a young Courtney Cox, Frank Tolkan, Billy Barty, Meg Foster and Christina Pickles. The look of the movie itself is not half bad, though at times it can look a little flat, due to the way the film was rushed to the finish line and not given time to find its look, which they had to do while shooting. The Eternia scenes look nice and sharp, but its the night time scenes on Earth that are the most effective in giving the characters (heroes and villains alike) a classic good vs. evil contrast and look. The score is pretty bombastic and over-the-top with a lot of brass and driving melodies, giving the film an urgency that I think it needs. At times it does tend to get in the way, rather than drive the action, but its not a huge obstacle because the film is always moving visually. Ok, here comes the tough part, assessing the film's flaws without prejudice or favoritism. I guess I would have to say that some of the performances in the film, particularly Dolph's, are pretty weak, even though he does look and act the part of the heroic He-Man reasonably well. The ending of the film, or rather the climatic battle between He-Man and Skeletor is a bit cheap and unimaginitive, being cast mostly in shadow to hide its flaws, but its flaws come through anyway. The director wished to have a grand sword fight, but due to Cannon pulling the movie on him at the last minute, he was lucky to shoot what little he could, so I give him credit for making something visually interesting, even though it isn't really that exciting of a battle. The film also has a lot of logical flaws, but I won't get into those because in a story about aliens from another world and time travel, I don't think logic stands much of a chance anyway. I have to say that I really love this movie, and I do think a lot of it has to do with nostaglia rather than film fanaticism, but having said that, this is NOT as terrible a movie as some might have you to believe. The story is solid, the visuals are solid, the special effects, the sets, the costume design, the direction...all of it, solid. I think director Gary Goddard made a nice looking film and one that I will continue to thoroughly enjoy, even if it is just a guilty pleasure.

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Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
May 13, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety

The result is a colossal bore. Full Review

Walter Goodman
May 21, 2003
Walter Goodman, New York Times

Their weapons make a Fourth of July sparkler show, but they almost never hit anybody. Full Review

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

Little kids at play have come up with craftier plots, better characterization and conceivably more spectacular effects -- provided their mothers let them play with matches. Full Review

May 13, 2008
Empire Magazine

The first film to be based on a line of toys, this might not be the last, but it'd take something awful to replace it as the worst. Full Review

May 13, 2008
TV Guide's Movie Guide

There are some decent special effects, but overall it's about what you'd expect from a movie inspired by a line of toys. Full Review

Mark Salisbury
June 24, 2006
Mark Salisbury, Time Out

There are lots of flashes and bangs, but the effects are neither special nor camp enough to be more than vaguely amusing. Full Review

Clint Morris
May 12, 2005
Clint Morris, Moviehole

Goddard does a good job of bringing the characters to life....a treat for the fans

James O'Ehley
November 7, 2002
James O'Ehley, Sci-Fi Movie Page

Halfway through this live action version of the popular early 1980s kiddies TV show, I wondered what I had done wrong to deserve all this pain and suffering. Full Review

Stefan Birgir Stefansson
August 1, 2002
Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is

stinks

Scott Weinberg
July 25, 2002
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

I'm not saying He-Man deserved all that brilliant of a movie ... but this thing's a freaking disaster.

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    • Sorceress of Castle Greyskull: Men who crave power look back over the mistakes of their lives, pile them all together, and call it 'destiny.'
    • Sorceress of Castle Greyskull: The dark can embrace the light, but never eclipse it.
    • Skeletor: Yes! Let this be our final battle!
    • Skeletor: Everything comes to he who waits. And I have waited so very long for this moment.
    • Skeletor: I must possess all, or I possess nothing.
    • Narrator: At the center of the universe, at the boarder between the light and the dark stands Castle Greyskull. For countless eons the sorceress of Greyskull has kept this universe in harmony, but the armies of darkness shall not rest and the capture of greyskull is ever most in their minds. For to those who controls Greyskull comes the power, the power to be supreme, the power to be all mighty, the power to be.... masters of the universe.
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Masters of the Universe Trivia

  • If you take a different castmember from each of the following movies, which TV show would you have? Whole Nine Yards Charlie's Angels Analyze That Bruce Almighty Masters of the Universe Since You've Been Gone  Answer »
  • Which actress had parts in 'Masters of the Universe', 'Commandments', 'The Shrink Is In' and 'Ace Ventura Pet Detective'?  Answer »
  • Which movie has the tagline "A battle fought in the stars. Now... Comes to Earth"?  Answer »
  • What HE-MAN cartoon character(s) never made it to the 1987 MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE movie?  Answer »
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