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Masters of the Universe (1987)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 3.1/10
Reviews Counted: 16
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 14

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 0 | Rotten: 3

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Average Rating: 2.6/5
User Ratings: 47,014

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Movie Info

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 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)

PG, 1 hr. 49 min.

Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Directed By: Gary Goddard

In Theaters: Aug 7, 1987 Wide

On DVD: Oct 23, 2001

Cannon Films

Masters of the Universe Trailer & Photos

Cast

Dolph Lundgren
He-Man
Frank Langella
Skeletor
Meg Foster
Evillyn
Billy Barty
Gwildor
Courteney Cox
Julie Winston
Chelsea Field
Teela
James Tolkan
Detective Lubic
Christina Pickles
Sorceress of Castle Gre...
Robert Duncan McNeill
Kevin Corrigan
Jon Cypher
Duncan Man-at-Arms
Peter Brooks
Narrator
Anthony De Longis
Blade
Gwynne Gilford
Mrs. Winston
Barry Livingston
Charlie
Pons Maar
Saurod
Jessica Nelson
Monica
Robert Towers
Karg
Walter Scott
Mr. Winston

Critic Reviews for Masters of the Universe

All Critics (16) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (3) | Rotten (14) | DVD (2)

The result is a colossal bore.

May 13, 2008 Full Review Source: Variety

| Comment

Variety Staff

Variety

Top Critic

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

May 21, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment

Walter Goodman

New York Times

Top Critic

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.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Washington Post

| Comments (2)

Rita Kempley

Washington Post

Top Critic

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.

May 13, 2008 Full Review Source: Empire Magazine

| Comment

Empire Magazine

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

May 13, 2008 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

| Comment

TV Guide's Movie Guide

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

June 24, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment

Mark Salisbury

Time Out

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

May 12, 2005 Comment

Clint Morris

Moviehole

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.

November 7, 2002 Full Review Source: Sci-Fi Movie Page

| Comment

James O'Ehley

Sci-Fi Movie Page Source: Sci-Fi Movie Page

stinks

August 1, 2002 Comments (4)

Stefan Birgir Stefansson

sbs.is

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

July 25, 2002 Comment

Scott Weinberg

eFilmCritic.com

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Masters of the Universe

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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. Anyone who expects someone named Evillyn to

February 13, 2011

Emily Armstrong

Super Reviewer

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.

December 1, 2010

AJ Verser

Super Reviewer

Masters of the Universe Quotes

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1. Skeletor: Yes! Let this be our final battle!
– Submitted by Emil � (3 months ago)
1. Skeletor: Everything comes to he who waits. And I have waited so very long for this moment.
– Submitted by Emil � (3 months ago)
1. Skeletor: I must possess all, or I possess nothing.
– Submitted by Emil � (3 months ago)
1. 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.
– Submitted by Byron L (5 months ago)
1. He-Man: I have the power!
– Submitted by Byron L (5 months ago)