Random Movie Thoughts

Just finished up MOTU. Man what a trip and what a flop after the people behind this movie was promising it would be the star wars of the 80s.... Yup that didn't happen. Like I've mentioned before I enjoyed this Heman more then the cartoon version which I don't find to be that great. I am sure I wouldn't care for this movie if I didn't watch it so much as a kid because it has a ton of flaws but just find it fun to watch now. Watched it at work with some 10 year olds and they enjoyed it so it stands the test of time a bit.

-Let me get this out of the way first. This movie feels like a sequel to a movie that was never made. The first scene they drop you right into the action. Grayscull is now Skeletor's. Heman and his companions are out fighting for their lives. Why is the sorceress in a flashing beam? WHAT THE HELL DID WE MISS?!? We get zero origin on the events of what is going on in this world or who these people are and how they got there. Then you are thrown to earth where the movie is really about the two teens(boring). So to me this feels like we are picking up from the action of a prior movie... But we aren't. Odd. How kick ass would it have been if we had the first movie about the origin of Heman and how he came to be and in the end Skeletor takes over Grayskull leaving you hanging. Should have hired 5 year old me.

-Dolph is a good looking Heman but I don't know if he is a good Heman. To me he just seems like another side character. He has more of a role then Teela and Man at Arms but to me the movie isn't much about him.

-The scene with Heman listening to Skeletor's message to Eternia is pretty kick ass image.

-What is with this power that Skeletor is trying to get from the great eye? They just don't take the time to expand on any of this. Instead we are wasting time with the teens story at Robbie's Ribs.
-And why did this great power leave Skeletor when Heman broke his weapon? One moment you are shooting gold beams out of you're eyes at people and boom power gone. Couldn't tell you why.

-Bunch of odd characters that are not from the cartoon. Only cool one was Blade to me. The rest were forgettable.

-Frank Langella saves anything there is left to save in this movie. He kicks ass as Skeletor. He might be the only reason to watch this movie. He is scary, dark and merciless.
-No really.. Skeletor kick ass in this movie.

-I love the march anthem for Skeletor. I mean it isn't Darth Vader's but its pretty good.

-Gwildor adds some comic relief. Not much but the kids laughed at his car he outfits with some sort of Batmobile engine.

-How did he have time to outfit a Caddy with a Batmobile engine? I will never know.

-Special effects aren't bad for the time.

-Love the huge hover crafts Skeletor and his army march into earth on.

-Speaking of that march, where are the people in this city? The streets are empty. There are like no extras in this movie. Its like Batman 89.
- Skeletor's guards look like Darth Vader. Like these didn't even try.

-Heman steals their guns to much. To many laser shoot outs and not enough sword fighting.

-I want the cosmic key prop. It would look great by the family photos.

-Heman has zero fun in this movie. Again that just might be Dolph.

-Sword battle is little odd. Gets dark, no one else around. To short. Wish it was longer.

-The tone of the movie is pretty dark.

-When they show the wound on Cox's leg I always would close my eyes. It still grosses me out today.

-Light saber wip is cool.

-So now the key can travel back in time? If so when Julie is sent back... By Back to the Future rules there should be two Julies and two Kevins... Deal with that Gwildor.

-Good Journey
I still enjoy watching this movie. Its the Heman I have always enjoyed since I just think the cartoon can't hold a candle to Thundercats. Is it good? No, do I have fun watching it? Yes. If it was done a bit better with more of a Origin story and not on a budget(17 Mil) that kept everything on earth it would have been better. Leave the humans out and don't start the movie...in the middle of the story and we might be talking about a 80s classic.

Found two great Interviews with the actors of Man at Arms and Karg! (there is a blog for everything I swear)
Also a very good Interview with the Director who gives some great insight with all the challenges of making this film.


RMT, 80s, cartoons, heman, 80s movie,
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