He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (1986)

He-Man movie poster
View the Trailer

Cast & Crew:


Tragically, this relic from the mid-80s is one of my all-time favourite movies.


Why? well, it seems I have a version of rose-tinted glasses that allow me to enjoy horrifically cheesy things because, well, this movie sure as heck is.


Based on the He-Man toys and cartoon TV show, this film brings the titular hero to life along with the world of Eternia and the other assorted heroes and villains.


At least as best as the 80s could manage.


The story begins on Eternia with Skeletor, Evil-Lyn and assorted baddies chasing after He-Man and crew in hot pursuit of a great-big musical Maguffin. The chase quickly zips to Earth, pulls some unlikely heroes into the action and builds towards an ending battle so cheesy as to require lactaid to view safely.


There really isn't any point in going into more detail on this. It's just that... good?


So, what makes this movie stand out for me? And continue to leave me chuckling?


When I first watched it, I think it was how well the iconic cartoon characters were portrayed and the quality of the actors that ended up playing them. Dolph Lundgren was a near-perfect physical match for He-Man and had just enough the acting skill to pull it off. Then there was the veteran actor Frank Langella playing Skeletor with both a straight face and scene-chewing fervor. Combine that with Meg Foster doing an absolutely fabulous job as Evil-Lyn and it may help explain why I still like evil women to this day. *ahem*


Then there's the fact that, years after I first watched it, I re-watched this film and realized that the unlikely Earth protagonists were played by Courtney Cox of Friends and Robert Duncan McNeill - Lieutenant Tom Paris of Star Trek Voyager.


Intrigued? Amused? Terrified?


Then, "By the power of Greyskull!" watch the trailer!



Done laughing yet? Good. Now go admit to something embarrassing on your own webpage.


Cheers,
Adrian