‘Masters Of The Universe’ Turns 35: When A Bad Film Becomes A Nostalgic Classic Due To Lack Of Options [The Playlist Podcast]

Way before the Marvel Cinematic Universe showed that superheroes and kids franchises could be record-breaking box office hits. Even before “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” showed that film adaptations of children’s toys and cartoons could work. Hell, predating Tim Burton’s world-changing “Batman,” there was “Masters of the Universe.” The 1987 box office bomb starring Dolph Lundgren was a Hollywood attempt to capitalize on a famous cartoon and toy line doomed by a low budget but filled with a ton of heart. And though it isn’t often brought up as a cult classic of the late-‘80s, The Playlist Podcast is here to say that it should. Well, kinda. 

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In this episode of The Playlist Podcast, we discuss 1987’s “Masters of the Universe.” The film adapted the toy line and cartoon of the same name and follows He-Man and his friends as they venture to ‘80s suburbia in hopes of recovering a magical keytar before the evil Skeletor gets his hands on it. Yes, it’s ridiculous. Sure, it is super hokey with cringeworthy writing. And no, most of the special effects don’t hold up. But back in the late-‘80s, this is what you got. And you damn well better like it!

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The film recently celebrated its 35th anniversary, and that milestone brings up plenty of nostalgia for an era of film and TV where these sorts of live-action adaptations of kids’ cartoons, comic books, toys, or video games didn’t actually get made all that often. And therefore, you couldn’t help but love to see your favorite characters brought to life, even if it was in an objectively bad movie. Thinking back on that really makes you feel like an entitled ass when you sit there and critique the nuances of the latest “Doctor Strange” film, right? 

You can hear the full discussion below:

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