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IMDbPro

Masters of the Universe

  • 19871987
  • PGPG
  • 1h 46m
IMDb RATING
5.3/10
41K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,075
987
Dolph Lundgren, Robert Duncan McNeill, and Courteney Cox in Masters of the Universe (1987)
Trailer for Masters of the Universe
Play trailer1:39
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Fantasy
The heroic warrior He-Man battles against the evil lord Skeletor and his armies of darkness for control of Castle Grayskull.The heroic warrior He-Man battles against the evil lord Skeletor and his armies of darkness for control of Castle Grayskull.The heroic warrior He-Man battles against the evil lord Skeletor and his armies of darkness for control of Castle Grayskull.
IMDb RATING
5.3/10
41K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,075
987
  • Director
    • Gary Goddard
  • Writers
    • David Odell
    • Stephen Tolkin(rewrite)
    • Gary Goddard(rewrite)
  • Stars
    • Dolph Lundgren
    • Frank Langella
    • Meg Foster
Top credits
  • Director
    • Gary Goddard
  • Writers
    • David Odell
    • Stephen Tolkin(rewrite)
    • Gary Goddard(rewrite)
  • Stars
    • Dolph Lundgren
    • Frank Langella
    • Meg Foster
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 242User reviews
    • 120Critic reviews
    • 35Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 5 nominations

    Videos1

    Masters of the Universe
    Trailer 1:39
    Masters of the Universe

    Photos284

    Robert Duncan McNeill and Courteney Cox in Masters of the Universe (1987)
    Dolph Lundgren in Masters of the Universe (1987)
    Dolph Lundgren and Courteney Cox in Masters of the Universe (1987)
    Dolph Lundgren and Billy Barty in Masters of the Universe (1987)
    Robert Duncan McNeill, Meg Foster, and Anthony De Longis in Masters of the Universe (1987)
    Frank Langella in Masters of the Universe (1987)
    Meg Foster and Frank Langella in Masters of the Universe (1987)
    Meg Foster in Masters of the Universe (1987)
    Frank Langella in Masters of the Universe (1987)
    Dolph Lundgren in Masters of the Universe (1987)
    Masters of the Universe (1987)
    Dolph Lundgren, Billy Barty, and Frank Langella in Masters of the Universe (1987)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Dolph Lundgren
    Dolph Lundgren
    • He-Manas He-Man
    Frank Langella
    Frank Langella
    • Skeletoras Skeletor
    Meg Foster
    Meg Foster
    • Evil-Lynas Evil-Lyn
    Billy Barty
    Billy Barty
    • Gwildoras Gwildor
    Courteney Cox
    Courteney Cox
    • Julie Winstonas Julie Winston
    Robert Duncan McNeill
    Robert Duncan McNeill
    • Kevin Corriganas Kevin Corrigan
    Jon Cypher
    Jon Cypher
    • Duncan (Man-at-Arms)as Duncan (Man-at-Arms)
    Chelsea Field
    Chelsea Field
    • Teelaas Teela
    James Tolkan
    James Tolkan
    • Detective Lubicas Detective Lubic
    Christina Pickles
    Christina Pickles
    • Sorceress of Castle Grayskullas Sorceress of Castle Grayskull
    Tony Carroll
    • Beastmanas Beastman
    Pons Maar
    Pons Maar
    • Saurodas Saurod
    Anthony De Longis
    Anthony De Longis
    • Bladeas Blade
    • (as Anthony DeLongis)
    Robert Towers
    Robert Towers
    • Kargas Karg
    Barry Livingston
    Barry Livingston
    • Charlieas Charlie
    Jessica Nelson
    • Monicaas Monica
    Gwynne Gilford
    Gwynne Gilford
    • Mrs. Winstonas Mrs. Winston
    Walter Scott
    Walter Scott
    • Mr. Winstonas Mr. Winston
    • Director
      • Gary Goddard
    • Writers
      • David Odell
      • Stephen Tolkin(rewrite) (uncredited)
      • Gary Goddard(rewrite) (uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Frank Langella went on record in an interview stating that playing Skeletor was one of his favorite roles. His young son was a huge fan and was running around the house shouting "By the power of Grayskull," so he took the role for him. He wrote some of his own lines, like: "Tell me about the loneliness of good, He-Man. Is it equal to the loneliness of evil?"
    • Goofs
      When Karg leads Skeletor's troops charge into Gwildor's home, he tells his men to "find the key". It is impossible for him to have known about a second cosmic key as his superiors did not even know until shortly later on.
    • Quotes

      Skeletor: Where are they? Where are your friends now? Tell me about the loneliness of good, He-Man. Is it equal to the loneliness of evil?

    • Crazy credits
      There is a scene at the end of the closing credits have ended: Skeletor pops up from the waters of the pit he was thrown in, and says "I'll be back!"
    • Connections
      Featured in Soirée spéciale Dolph Lundgren: Le Doc (2000)
    • Soundtracks
      Purple Haze
      Written and Performed by Jimi Hendrix

      Courtesy of Bella Godiva Music

    User reviews242

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    It is much better that regarded
    I have read a number of reviews on this movie and they are accurate and good for the most part. My credit is to Gary Goddard for all he endured and still getting a credible and succinct movie made.

    The fight scenes are real and actual so they seem methodical but they're great. The hair, clothing, make-up, special effects, and down the list we go, is so caked in '80s gunk it would be hard to fight for this as a classic. It is the only He-Man movie out there, and although a sequel beckons, eighteen years have passed without a stir.

    If a sequel were to made Langella would have to be Skeletor. I mean the best acting from both he and Lundgren comes when He-Man is being led by the Centaurian. Langella saying "I give you a choice: return to Eternia with me as my slave and save their despicable lives, or perish with them here on this tasteless, and primitive, planet." It's cold and dark and it's authentic. It's chilling and you get chills. Langella overacts sometimes but mostly is great. He took Skeletor from a whiny, irritating, and downright pathetic worm of a guy to a believable, earthy, credible, and despicable evil-doer. We get a taste of the importance of He-man and all that he does, here in this scene, too.

    Goddard did something brilliant here, he made the movie personable. He puts these people on Earth, interacting with Earthlings, and putting a grasp on how out there these "aliens" are. But it is also probably why this movie is so widely disregarded, because it doesn't have great and illustrative fight scenes. Instead they are sensible and plotted. To see this movie remade could be a real treat.

    Gwildar is, essentially, Orco. He was easy, sensible, irritating, but not nearly as annoying, and unfairly Billy Barty was nominated for a Razzie. The story interlocks with this missing "key" as created by Gwildar. This cosmos idea of God-like power through the manifestation of a fourth dimension is highly advanced. This is why the movie is good. Portals are doors and He-Man is definitely a science fiction adventurer. This puts an Earthy spin on an idea wiling out.

    Teela works and Man-in-Arms (Duncan) is good as a faithful sidekick to He-Man. That's what he is. He can hold his own but mostly is fighting for duty of right, and he follows He-Man for he is the epitome of it. Teela's gritty and pitched voice, with her desperate actions, are very formidable. Duncan is best when inspiring Kevin. Kevin is a sensitive guy with a talent. What these Eternians do is showcase pessimism on Earth for their planet is dying at their own hands. They are their own good and evil and it is hard to differentiate, so why care? By the end of the movie Courtney Cox and Robert Duncan McNeill (Julie and Kevin) see that. So does Lubic. The Eternians have no planet and yet they continue to hold hope and forge ahead: He-Man.

    Tolkan is not so much a distraction as he is pretentious. McNeill yelling to Tolkan "Lubic this is for real" as he dodges a Centaurian blast doesn't hold much weight, or reality. It is about unity, division, and strength. Both literal and figurative.

    Meg Foster is great as Evil-Lyn because she improves the movie rather than take time from Skeletor. Goddard lets most of the acting chops fall to the incomparable Frank Langella. He-Man is the ambassador of good. He is to talk slow, be level-headed, and search for justice. Lundgren does all of these things. He mission isn't to be malicious and blood seeking. When he runs into Julie (and a great fight sequence ensues) it is Duncan and Teela doing some leg work. He-Man is a protector. He'll abate killing Skeletor to keep any and all safe. In all honesty how many lines can you give someone? Someone suggested Brad Pitt as He-Man for a remake. I don't mind Pitt, but he would ham up the screen like some feel Skeletor did. Skeletor's was good, He-Man's would not be. Lundgren, in all honesty, is great. He has a mullet but looks the part, and contrary to popular belief, acts it. He wields the Sword of Grayskull gracefully, yet with force and some clumsiness. It's heavy, but he's well-skilled and versed in the sword. These oppositions are found in the Soceress. She would normally seem bad to us; however, she is the greatest power of good. Christina Pickles gives great lines of philosophy allowing for good banter and humor with Skeletor. And her love for He-Man is very evident and clear with solid acting.

    The cartoon is hardly to be found here, aside from the characters and Eternia. Battle cat, and all other characters good and bad, could cloud a remake. But it would be great to see history revealed for He-Man like the new Batman series has done. People forget we like to see depth in our characters. And the character Charlie is filler, not unimportant, but certainly not integral. He's written well. All in all watch this movie because it's really, quite engrossing.
    helpful•41
    18
    • rar2
    • Jul 27, 2005

    FAQ11

    • How was the after credits scene filmed?
    • What was that pink liquid Skeletor fell into?
    • Where is She-Ra?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 7, 1987 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • He-Man and The Masters of the Universe
    • Filming locations
      • Whittier, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Golan-Globus Productions
      • Pressman Film
      • Cannon Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $22,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $17,336,370
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,883,168
      • Aug 9, 1987
    • Gross worldwide
      • $17,336,370
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 46 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

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