There are many films that fail miserably with critics and cinema audiences, but develop into beloved cult hits over the following decades. With Masters of the Universe a unique example is running on TV today. The fantasy action starring Dolph Lundgren has grown in popularity over the past 35 years since its inception.
On TV: The fantasy cracker Masters of the Universe was shredded by the critics
The first (and so far only) live-action adaptation of the He-Man franchise takes its fantasy story to 1980s America. At the Fight against his evil nemesis Skeletor (Frank Langella) unexpectedly lands He-Man (Lundgren) on Earth. Teenagers Julie (Courteney Cox) and Kevin (Robert Duncan McNeill) must help him return to save his world Eternia. But Skeletor has already set his sights on our planet.
Check out the English trailer for Masters of the Universe here:
Masters of the Universe – Trailer (English)
Contemporary reviews were anything but kind to Masters of the Universe. “Little kids can invent better plots“, wrote the Washington Post, for example. “Colossal boring” Variety called the fantasy cracker. In particular, the predictable plot, which was copied from great genre models, was criticized (via Metacritic ).
These judgments are not technically wrong. Masters of the Universe is not a good fantasy film in the way The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring or The Princess Bride is. The story is interchangeable and the action is often ridiculously wooden. but as a cult treat, the film is terrific.
35 years later: Masters of the Universe is absolute action cult for fans
Like many other initially reviled works, Masters of the Universe has evolved from film to spectacle. The costumes are grandiosely shrill and kitschy, the wooden fights hilariously funny. The 80s style makes for hair-raising nostalgia. And the celebrated stage actor Langella strings together one grandiose performance after the next as a bony villain.
© Scotia/Cannon
Dolph Lundgren as He-Man
It’s a fun movie. Where it makes no difference if you don’t pay attention for 5 minutes. A film to celebrate as a fan treat. Dolph Lundgren in loincloth and baby oil may have been boring in 1987. Today he is the screamer.
When will the fantasy action Masters of the Universe be on TV?
Masters of the Universe is coming this Saturday, July 9, 2022, at 8:15 p.m. on Tele 5. If you don’t have time, you can catch up on the film on July 11 at 11:20 p.m. The film has a running time of 106 minutes without commercials.
Fantasy Movies Podcast: 10 Streaming Tips on Amazon, Netflix and Disney+
If you want to discover other extraordinary worlds, characters and stories in addition to Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, here are 10 strong streaming recommendations for fantasy films that are currently available on Netflix, Amazon and Disney+.
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Whether it’s a classic, an animated film, a blockbuster or an insider’s tip: the streaming services are guaranteed to have something to suit every fantasy fan’s taste. Dragons, Polymorphs, Stardust, Epic Journeys and Sorcery included.
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What do you think of Masters of the Universe?