Masters of the Universe (movie)

***Masters of the Universe*** is a 1987 American superhero science fantasy movie. It is based on the 1983 animated television series _He-Man and the Masters of the Universe_, but does not follow the same timeline or story, with many details changing.

## Plot

On the planet Eternia, the evil warlord Skeletor has taken over Castle Grayskull and imprisoned the Sorceress who guards it. Skeletor's enemies - superhero He-Man, veteran soldier Man-At-Arms and his daughter Teela - rescue Gwildor (an alien inventor) from Skeletor's soldiers.

Gwildor reveals that Skeletor has stolen his invention: a "Cosmic Key" that can open a portal to anywhere by using musical notes. This is how Skeletor entered Castle Grayskull. He-Man, Gwildor and the others travel to Castle Grayskull and try to defeat Skeletor. However, Skeletor's army overwhelms them and they use the Cosmic Key to teleport away.

He-Man, Gwildor, Man-At-Arms and Teela arrive on Earth but have lost the Cosmic Key. The Key is found by two California teenagers, Julie and Kevin, who accidentally transmit a signal which allows Evil-Lyn and Skeletor's minions to track it. They arrive on Earth at attack Julie, who is then rescued by He-Man.

The damage destroys a school and Kevin cannot find Julie. The Cosmic Key is confiscated by a detective named Lubic. Evil-Lyn recovers the Key and summons Skeletor, who then breaks the Key. He-Man surrenders himself to save his friends and is taken back to Eternia.

Skeletor becomes Master of the Universe using the powers of Castle Grayskull. On Earth, Gwildor, Kevin, Julie, Teela and Man-At-Arms fix the Key and are transported to Eternia. He-Man manages to get his sword back and fights Skeletor. After the battle, Julie and Kevin return to Earth.

## Cast

- Courteney Cox as **Julie**, a teenage girl from California whose parents are dead
- Robert Duncan McNeill as **Kevin**, the boyfriend of Julie
- Dolph Lundgren as **He-Man**, a superhero from the planet Eternia who wields a magical sword
- Frank Langella as **Skeletor**, an evil demon who wants to take over the universe
- Meg Foster as **Evil-Lyn**, a wicked witch who works for Skeletor
- James Tolkan as **Lubic**, a detective
- Billy Barty as **Gwildor**, a short alien inventor who creates the Cosmic Key
- Jon Cypher as **Man-At-Arms**, a veteran soldier who works with He-Man
- Chelsea Field as **Teela**, the daughter of Man-At-Arms
- Barry Livingston as **Charlie**, Kevin and Julie's friend
- Christina Pickles as **Sorceress**, the guardian of Castle Grayskull
- Anthony De Longis as **Blade**, a cyborg servant of Skeletor
- Tony Carroll as **Beast Man**, a monster servant of Skeletor
- Pons Maar as **Saurod**, an evil alien warrior who is killed by Skeletor
- Robert Towers as **Karg**, a servant of Skeletor
- Peter Brooks as **Narrator**

## Reception

_Masters of the Universe_ was released theatrically in the United States on August 7, 1987. It received mostly negative reviews  from critics and fans. It earned $17 million at the box office, against a budget of $22 million, making it a commercial failure. However, as time went on, it has become a cult movie and is viewed more positively.

## Infobox (film)

- **name**: Masters of the Universe
- **director**: Gary Goddard
- **producer**: Yoram Globus
Menahem Golan
- **writer**: David Odell
- **music**: Bill Conti
- **cinematography**: Hanania Baer
- **editing**: Anne V. Coates
- **studio**: The Cannon Group, Inc.
- **distributor**: The Cannon Group, Inc.
- **runtime**: 106 minutes
- **country**: United States
- **language**: English
- **budget**: $22 million
- **gross**: $17.3 million