Masters of the Universe
MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE (PG)
D: Gary Goddard
Cannon (Menahem Golan & Yoram Globus)
US 1987
106 mins
Adventure/Fantasy/Science Fiction
W: David Odell [based on characters from the cartoon
series]
DP: Hanania Baer
Ed: Anne V. Coates
Mus: Bill Conti
PD: William Stout
Dolph Lundgren (He-Man), Frank Langella (Skeletor), Meg
Foster (Evil Lyn), Billy Barty (Gwildor), Courteney Cox (Julie Winston) James Tolkan (Det. Lubic)
The modus operandi of Cannon studios during the
mid-to-late 1980's was to buy the rights to blockbuster material and then produce it with such a low budget, even B-movies of the 1960's would point and laugh.
This method of filmmaking was to befall on their
adaptation of the Master Of The Universe TV cartoon serial, which saw He-Man battle Skeletor in a magical kingdom. The TV series helped shift a huge amount of merchandise during the decade,
including a line of action figures.
Cannon practically ended all the trade with this
completely inadequate action fantasy, hampered with a bungled storyline and relocated to Earth for reasons only the filmmakers will know.
Everything about this is completely inferior, from the
performances and script to the production design, makeup and visual effects,
Even die hard fans of the TV show would be hard pressed to
enjoy this.
3/10
