Masters of the Universe

Masters of the Universe is a science fiction film released in 1987 that is set on the planet of Eternia. The story follows He-Man (played by Dolph Lundgren), the defender of Eternia, as he battles the evil Skeletor (played by Frank Langella) for control over the powerful Cosmic Key. Alongside He-Man is his ally Teela (played by Chelsea Field), mentor Man-At-Arms (played by John Cypher), and a group of teenagers from Earth who stumbled upon the Cosmic Key and ended up in Eternia.

The movie begins with Skeletor's army attacking Castle Grayskull, the source of He-Man's powers. Skeletor succeeds in capturing the castle and takes its sorceress hostage. Meanwhile, on Earth, a teenage girl named Julie (played by Courtney Cox) and her boyfriend Kevin (played by Robert Duncan McNeill) come across the Cosmic Key, a device that can open portals to other dimensions. Skeletor's henchmen appear in Julie's backyard and attempt to capture the device, but Julie and Kevin manage to activate it and transport themselves to Eternia.

After arriving in Eternia, Julie and Kevin ally with He-Man and his team. They learn of Skeletor's plans to use the Cosmic Key to conquer the entire universe and set out to stop him. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles and enemies, including Skeletor's army and a rogue mercenary named Karg (played by Robert Towers).

Despite being a part of a predominantly male-driven franchise, the movie has a strong female presence. Teela is a skilled fighter, and Sorceress serves as the voice of reason throughout the plot points. In addition, the character of Evil-Lyn (played by Meg Foster) serves as Skeletor's second-in-command and is just as feared and respected as Skeletor himself.

The film also boasts a considerable budget for its time, with elaborate set designs and special effects, particularly those of Castle Grayskull and the climactic battle scene between He-Man and Skeletor. Lundgren as He-Man and Langella as Skeletor give commendable performances, with Langella embracing the "over-the-top" nature of his villainous role.

Despite this, Masters of the Universe was a commercial disappointment upon its release, though it has since gained a cult following. The film was released during a time where fantasy and science fiction movies were popular amongst audiences, and its subject material appealed to kids who grew up with the original He-Man comics, cartoons, and action figures.

The film takes inspiration from both the animated series and the toy line, with Eternia physically resembling the toy sets and the iconic characters all appearing in full costume. The film also downplays some of the cartoon's more comic-book sensibilities and embraces a more mature and dark tone.

In summary, Masters of the Universe may not have been a critical or financial success, but it remains a beloved artifact of '80s nostalgia. It is a film that admirers of the franchise and '80s cinema in general will enjoy, with its action-packed story and top-notch special effects. It is a thrilling escapade through the fantastical world of Eternia and a celebration of the He-Man franchise.