Hollywood's embrace of '80s nostalgia continues with the release of the long-awaited, semi-live-action remake of Masters of the Universe. Based on a fantasy cartoon and comic book series, this film is a well-known property, especially among older millennials and younger Gen Xers, that has never successfully transitioned to the live-action realm. The original 1987 movie, a Hail Mary attempt to boost toy sales, failed to capitalize on the He-Man craze and was a box office flop, making less than the animated The Care Bears Movie of 1985. Despite this, the new film is expected to outperform its predecessor, adjusted for inflation, despite being decades removed from He-Man's commercial peak.
The 1987 version, produced by Cannon Films, was a branch-out from their action and semi-exploitation movies, aiming for a big-budget fantasy. However, it was released during a time when the world was moving away from such lavish fantasies, with the success of Return of the Jedi and the spoof Spaceballs already in theaters. The film's opening credits and theme music, reminiscent of Star Wars and Superman, were ahead of their time, but the movie itself was a commercial failure, reflecting the changing landscape of the film industry.
The new Masters of the Universe movie embraces its '80s roots, with a soundtrack filled with period hits, a brighter and more garish color scheme, and a faithful preservation of the cartoon's aesthetic. However, it also pushes its luck by setting much of the story on Earth, differentiating it from the cartoon and making it feel more realistic. Despite this, the teenage-couple plot never effectively intertwines with the He-Man story, and Dolph Lundgren, who plays Prince Adam/He-Man, seems checked-out, citing it as one of his least beloved experiences.
The key difference between the 1987 and 2026 versions lies in their intentions. The original was a crass commercial space-filler, made to boost toy sales and video rentals, with a post-credits scene hinting at a sequel. The new film, while also driven by commercial interests, is expected to be taken more seriously, with a focus on 'heart' and a more coherent narrative. However, this raises the question of whether audiences have actually become more sophisticated or if they are demanding less at a greater expense.
In conclusion, the Masters of the Universe remake is a nostalgic trip down memory lane, but it also raises questions about the evolution of the film industry and the expectations of audiences. As Jesse Hassenger, a writer and podcaster, points out, the film's success or failure may not be a sign of changing tastes but rather a reflection of the industry's current state.
