MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE

US, 1987, 106 minutes, Colour.
Dolph Lundgren, Frank Langella, Meg Foster, Billy Barty, Courtney Cox, Cristina Pickles.
Directed by Gary Goddard.

Masters of the Universe is space and galaxy action, based on comic magazines. The film re-creates this style, quite entertainingly.

Dolph Lundgren (Rocky IV, Red Scorpio) is He- Man. Frank Langella, covered by a skeletal mask, is the villain Skeletor. Meg Foster enjoys herself as Evil Lyn.

The film has sequences in the galaxies but then suddenly comes to Earth and there is confrontation in an ordinary American town. Set designs, costumes and special effects are important. The score, by Bill Conti, is reminiscent of John Williams' scores for the Star Wars series. In fact, the whole enterprise with characters, monster warriors, Skeletor in black, are reminiscent of Star Wars.

1. Comic book space adventure? In the Star Wars tradition?

2. The sequences in the universe, the galaxies, the contrast with Earth? Kingdoms in space, Greyskull? The importance of special effects, stunts? The Star Wars style score?

3. Struggles and battles of good and evil, magic keys, the Earth people contributing to the battles for the universe?

4. The situation in Greyskull, Skeletor and his control, Evil Lyn and her helping with the robbing of the key, the confrontation with He-Man? and his warriors? The key and the search through the universe for it?

5. Skeletor as evil, wanting to rule the world, his appearance, manner of speaking, the spell over the sorceress? The search for the key, the battles, the sending of the monsters and their failure, his killing one? His going to Earth, battles on Earth? His defeat?

6. Evil-Lyn?, her support for Skeletor, getting the key? Her sending of the warriors, their failure? Her going to Earth herself, the confrontations and battles, her disguising herself as Julie's mother to get the key? Defeat?

7. The sorceress, the warnings, her being held in prison, her ageing? The final time and her release?

8. He-Man? as the hero of the universe, his appearance, style, the battles, joining with the warriors? Going to Earth, Julie and her fear, his saving her? The battles on Earth, confrontation with the policeman? His being captured, taken with Skeletor? The final rescue?

9. Guildor, the dwarf, the making of the key, the robbery, his humour and comedy, going to Earth, trying to adapt to Earth, talking to the cow, the clothes, people's reactions to him? His contribution to the battle?

10. The warriors, the man and the woman, standing by He- Man, their help on Earth, the battles?

11. Kevin and Julie, on Earth, the ordinariness of their lives, jobs, plans? Julie and her grief about her parents? The discovery of the key, the music, remembering the melody, taking it to the music shop? Their separation, the preparation for the evening and the arrival of the space people, the monsters, Julie and her fear? Kevin and the confrontation? The police? His giving them the melody, the chord? Restoring everything, going to the kingdom? Going back to Earth, the day before Julie's parents were killed? Julie and her being deceived by Evil-Lyn? in the disguise of her mother?

12. The policeman, his obtuseness, the siege, wanting to put people under arrest, going to Greskull, deciding to live there?

13. Expected action, characters, adventure? The blending of the galaxies and Earth? Comic book style?