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Happy 30th anniversary Masters of the Universe!

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Happy 30th anniversary Masters of the Universe!

Old 02-02-17, 02:54 PM
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Happy 30th anniversary Masters of the Universe!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QEBE5Wgmw4I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Yes this year marks the 30th anniversary of the Masters of the Universe movie. The third of Cannon's attempts to become a studio like Warner or Universal. Even though it's hard to say how much Cannon financed it. The director told a story that Cannon told Mattel they would put up half if Mattel did. When Mattel asked where Cannon's half was Cannon said they didn't have it and Mattel had to finance the whole thing.

I have a soft spot for this since it was the first movie that I saw theatrically. It had a bad reputation for awhile but people seem to slowly be coming around to the side of enjoying it. It's cornball and stupid but it's probably one of Cannon's most professional looking movies and it has a lot going for it.

Dolph looks the part and makes for a solid hero. Frank Langella looks like he's having the time of his life and he makes a good compliment to Dolph. He's even said this was his favorite role. Meg Foster makes a good and sexy Evil Lynn especially with her cat eyes she has always had. Courtney Cox is...here but not as hot as she would be later in life.

Maybe it's just nostalgia but I still enjoy it and watch it occasionally. I give it a 4/5.
Old 02-02-17, 03:25 PM
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Re: Happy 30th anniversary Masters of the Universe!

1987 was a good year for movies.
Old 02-02-17, 03:56 PM
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Re: Happy 30th anniversary Masters of the Universe!

I liked the Filmation series as a kid but I actually have never seen the film. I'm surprised there hasn't been a new movie by now. I know there's been talks but I don't think anything is actually in development yet.
Old 02-02-17, 04:06 PM
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Re: Happy 30th anniversary Masters of the Universe!

I remember liking this movie but I remember thinking Skeletor's face looked too much like a cheap mask.
Old 02-02-17, 04:18 PM
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Re: Happy 30th anniversary Masters of the Universe!

It makes me feel old to see all the major movies turning 30 this year:

Raising Arizona
Evil Dead 2
Lethal Weapon
Full Metal Jacket
The Untouchables
Hellraiser
Planes Trains and Automobiles
Eddie Murphy Raw
Old 02-02-17, 04:42 PM
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Re: Happy 30th anniversary Masters of the Universe!

Top 25 box office of 1987:

1 Three Men and a Baby
2 Fatal Attraction
3 Beverly Hills Cop II
4 Good Morning, Vietnam
5 Moonstruck
6 The Untouchables
7 The Secret of My Success
8 Stakeout
9 Lethal Weapon
10 The Witches of Eastwick
11 Dirty Dancing
12 Predator
13 Throw Momma From the Train
14 Dragnet
15 La Bamba
16 Robocop
17 Outrageous Fortune
18 Broadcast News
19 The Living Daylights
20 Eddie Murphy Raw
21 Planes, Trains and Automobiles
22 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Re-issue)
23 Full Metal Jacket
24 A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors
25 The Last Emperor
Old 02-02-17, 05:41 PM
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Re: Happy 30th anniversary Masters of the Universe!

I was a huge fan of the toy line. My grandmother took me to see it in the theater. What a patient, loving woman to put up with this shitty thing. Deep down even I knew it was a piece of shit. I just lacked the critical skills to express that I thought it was shitty. For everything they got right (Dolph) they got something wrong (replacing Orco with some rando). Moving the thing to present was not what anyone wanted. Even 9 year old me knew they did that to save money.
Old 02-03-17, 02:47 AM
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Re: Happy 30th anniversary Masters of the Universe!

Originally Posted by Mabuse
Even 9 year old me knew they did that to save money.
Lol...I was seven and I remember thinking "that little guy is supposed to replace Orko I guess..."

Still enjoyed the movie, He-Man was always my favorite growing up. The movie delivered for me, and did actually do some things well - the score....while derivative, is excellent...Bill Conti did a great job with it. Langella is having fun, and some of the makeup still looks pretty good. I've been tempted to get the blu-ray for years.

Of all the games and toy lines getting new movies...why they can't turn this into a LOTR meets Star Wars thing is still puzzling. They could ditch the alter ego Prince Adam thing (like this movie did) along with other changes... use models like LOTR did... I would love to see that. Heck, even marketing it as a 300 knock-off would work.
Old 02-03-17, 06:45 AM
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Re: Happy 30th anniversary Masters of the Universe!

30 years, that's the Dissapointing and Inaccurate Adaptation Anniversary, isn't it?
Old 02-03-17, 08:31 AM
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Re: Happy 30th anniversary Masters of the Universe!

Love this film. Saw it in theaters also. As a kid, I knew as well they were saving money by setting it on Earth, but whatever it was still a He-Man movie. It's interesting that the viewer is just dropped into the story line, after a large battle that you don't see, (again to save money) and that Skeletor has won already.

Best scene and an amazing monologue. Langella was great:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vOsHoqhbUIU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Last edited by stingermck; 02-03-17 at 08:53 AM.
Old 02-03-17, 08:34 AM
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Re: Happy 30th anniversary Masters of the Universe!

Needed this epitome of 1980s masculinity

Old 02-03-17, 09:04 AM
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Re: Happy 30th anniversary Masters of the Universe!

Just watched the Cannon documentary "Electric Boogaloo" for probably the 3rd time. Man, that doc is great and it's sure a time saver too considering you can get the gist of dozens of good/bad movies in an hour and a half. One of my favorite parts of that doc is the MOTU section where a guy recalls Sly Stallone visiting the set of MOTU. Sly points to Dolph and says "you gave THAT GUY lines"? Cracks me up every time!

I think "Electric Boogaloo" is still on Netflix for those who want a quick "Cannon infusion".
Old 02-03-17, 09:23 AM
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Re: Happy 30th anniversary Masters of the Universe!

Originally Posted by stingermck
Love this film. Saw it in theaters also. As a kid, I knew as well they were saving money by setting it on Earth, but whatever it was still a He-Man movie. It's interesting that the viewer is just dropped into the story line, after a large battle that you don't see, (again to save money) and that Skeletor has won already.

Best scene and an amazing monologue. Langella was great:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vOsHoqhbUIU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Sorry, but I can't help but think: "This is how Trump saw his inauguration." I kept waiting for Skeletor to start claiming the crowds were much larger.
Old 02-03-17, 09:26 AM
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Re: Happy 30th anniversary Masters of the Universe!

Originally Posted by GuessWho
Needed this epitome of 1980s masculinity

This thread inspired me to put the original cartoon on last night (it is on Netflix). I had forgotten about that color scheme and spent the whole time wondering "What in the @#!$".
Old 02-03-17, 09:34 AM
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Re: Happy 30th anniversary Masters of the Universe!

Originally Posted by Abob Teff
Sorry, but I can't help but think: "This is how Trump saw his inauguration." I kept waiting for Skeletor to start claiming the crowds were much larger.
I had the same thought, but put it away. Can't tarnish a childhood favorite
Old 02-03-17, 09:51 AM
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Re: Happy 30th anniversary Masters of the Universe!

Fashion PSA: it's passe to wear a pink tunic, lavender tights and furry purple speedo after Labor Day.
Old 02-03-17, 08:57 PM
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Re: Happy 30th anniversary Masters of the Universe!

I was a huge fan of the cartoon, and my brother took me to see this when I was 6. Even back then I remember thinking "what the fuck is this?"
Old 02-04-17, 12:22 PM
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Re: Happy 30th anniversary Masters of the Universe!

I am little late to the party when it comes to Cannon Films, I have watched some awesome Chuck Norris and Charles Bronson movies, but Masters of the Universe is definately on my watch list. I never got to see it as a kid.
Old 02-05-17, 10:45 AM
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Re: Happy 30th anniversary Masters of the Universe!

I was a huge fan of the action figures, castles and everything, which are still in my basement waiting for my son to get a bit older. I used to watch the cartoons whenever they were on, so I was excited when I finally got to see the movie. It was good, but not as satisfying as it could have been. All of the highs and lows have already been mentioned in this thread.

The teased pic from the movie that was supposed to be in development looked awesome. I hope that gets off the ground soon.
Old 02-05-17, 11:40 AM
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Re: Happy 30th anniversary Masters of the Universe!

This reminds me, where are we at on a new movie?
Old 08-07-17, 05:58 PM
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Re: Happy 30th anniversary Masters of the Universe!

30th anniversary today!

Currently watching on Blu-ray. Skeletor owns this movie.
Old 08-07-17, 06:06 PM
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Re: Happy 30th anniversary Masters of the Universe!

Old 08-07-17, 11:38 PM
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Re: Happy 30th anniversary Masters of the Universe!

I'm friends with Gary Goddard on Facebook. He's been posting Masters of the Universe stuff all day long.
Old 08-08-17, 01:10 AM
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Re: Happy 30th anniversary Masters of the Universe!

Teela used to give me wood.
Old 08-08-17, 02:28 AM
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Re: Happy 30th anniversary Masters of the Universe!

I was a big Masters of the Universe fan as a kid, and saw the the movie in theaters. I thought it was awesome. I didn't even notice that the Gwildor guy was supposed to be a replacement for Orko. I was too caught up in the action.

I saw the movie recently and for me, it still holds up well. The casting was great for the most part. Teela and the Sorceress maybe been casted differently and had better costume designs, but everything else was great.

I'm surprised it has such a bad reputation among fans of the original cartoon series/toyline.

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