Planet Eternia and the castle of Grayskull are under threat from the evil Skeletor (Frank Langella, Dracula), who wants to take over the planet. A group of freedom fighters led by the heroic He-Man (Dolph Lundgren, Rocky IV) is accidentally transported to Earth by the mysterious Cosmic Key, which holds the power to turn Skeletor all-powerful. Once on Earth, He-Man joins alliances with two teenagers as they attempt to find the key.

Toy Robot Video is proud to present a newly unearthed Preview Cut of the film featuring never-before-seen footage, including new and extended scenes plus alternate takes.

For thoughts on Masters of the Universe (1987), please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required:

Video Quality

Toy Robot Video presents Masters of the Universe (1987) with a stellar 2160p transfer in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. This restoration was handled by Amazon MGM Studios and graded in 4K HDR10/Dolby Vision. The previous Blu-Ray release from Warner Bros. in 2012 was derived from an older master, and we do not have that release to compare directly. By all accounts, that release was in need of a refresh, and even recent international boutique releases of the film have been stuck on Blu-Ray. This release marks the 4K UHD debut of the film, and the results could not make us happier, especially since the label is presenting a new Preview Cut of the film on a second 4K UHD disc, so fans can choose to watch the film in two different ways in the best quality possible.

This restoration retains the rich natural film grain as it resolves perfectly without any signs of clumping or swarming. Everything is completely authentic with no serious lingering specks of print damage or stray lines. The movie looks exceptional with minute details on display that will make you feel like you are watching the film for the first time. The texture present in the costumes and within the fantastical production design is astounding. When it comes to encoding, there are no digital anomalies such as compression artifacts, banding, or other such nuisances. Even in settings with brighter light sources, the screen sidesteps any spiking or other stray encoding issues.

The implementation of Dolby Vision for expanded color output is an immediate benefit with such vibrant material. A critical aspect is the depth found in the black levels with nothing in the way of crush present, as well as the impeccable highlights that are crisp with no signs of blooming. Certain facets of the clothing and production design make the most of the technology with more accuracy than ever. The frame is packed with detail that is a delight to survey with this disc. Whether on Earth or Eternia, each environment is presented with the appropriate delineation. The new scenes in the Preview Cut blend well with the preexisting material to create a consistent viewing experience. This presentation from Toy Robot Video is a winner on all fronts.

Audio Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray of the film comes with a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio stereo track, along with a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio experience, each of which handles the material with the utmost care. The label has made the wise choice of providing two audio options for fans, with at least one of them capturing the theatrical intention without any notable flaws. We love the effective score from Bill Conti that flows through the room without any dip in fidelity. All of the various sounds in the mix seem accurately rendered so that nothing ever feels askew.

Dialogue comes through clearly without being overshadowed by the sound effects. The ambitious soundscape emanates to provide some effective ambient details. The surround sound track makes things more immersive without fundamentally changing the heart of the soundscape. Moments of thrilling action are exciting without becoming a sonic sludge, as everything is distinguished with precision. This presentation does not succumb to any hiss, distortion, or other age-related wear and tear. Toy Robot Video is thriving all the way here. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided.

Special Features

Disc 1 – Theatrical Cut (4K UHD – 1:45:43)

Audio Commentary: Director Gary Goddard provides a commentary track in which he reflects on how he got involved in this project, assembling the ensemble, the construction of the gigantic sets, how budget constraints impacted certain filming decisions, the challenges of being a first-time filmmaker, why certain characters were left out of the film, and so much more.

Behind the Legend – Archival Featurette: A nearly five-minute piece in which you get archival interviews with the cast and creative team, who discuss the creation of the world, the new characters introduced into this world, and more.

Theatrical Trailer (1:48)

Teaser Trailer (1:18)

Stills Gallery (11:29)

Production Design Gallery (2:04)

Disc 2 – Preview Cut (4K UHD – 1:50:01)

Audio Commentary: Production designer William Stout provides a new commentary track in which he discusses replacing a production designer who didn’t get along with the director, the locations they filmed in, his approach to creating this world, and more.

Becoming Kevin – An Interview With Robert Duncan McNeill: A new 16-minute interview with the actor in which he discusses his path to performing, the making of Masters of the Universe, the prolonged shooting schedule, his friendship with Courteney Cox, handling expensive props, the challenges of the production, and more.

The Call Me Blade – An Interview with Anthony De Longis: A new 14-minute interview with the performer in which he discusses his background, the experience of working on Masters of the Universe, the qualities of his character, his prowess with swords, how his costume impacted his coordination, and more.

Designing the Universe- An Interview with William Stout: A new 17-minute conversation with the production designer in which he talks about his background, how he got involved in the entertainment industry, getting hired on Masters of the Universe, the designs for new characters and gadgets he worked on, and more

Final Thoughts

Masters of the Universe (1987) is the product of studios recognizing that younger audiences were hungry to consume more from the cartoon they loved so much, and they delivered that in live-action form to halfhearted results. If you are a fan of cheesy sci-fi/fantasy outings, you will have a pretty fun time, but there is no denying that certain aspects of the product feel like a knockoff version of the property. The weakest element is the handling of the script, which has a good framework but saddles the performers with some rocky exchanges. If the ensemble were stronger, they might be able to overcome these limitations, but most of these performers are running on charisma more than talent. Frank Langella is innocent, though, as he brings a gravitas to Skeletor that is desperately needed yet somewhat out of step with the rest of the film. This film is being carried more by nostalgia than genuine appreciation of story and craft, but sometimes that is what you desire. Toy Robot Video has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray featuring a 5-star A/V presentation and a fine assortment of special features. Recommended

Masters of the Universe (1987) is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray and Blu-Ray.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Toy Robot Video has supplied a copy of this set free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.