Masters of the Universe
The Masters of the Universe franchise is gaining significant attention this year, despite the lackluster box office performance. The most notable development for the Mattel property is the new adaptation from Amazon MGM Studios, which aims to revitalize the series. While the film struggled at theaters this past summer, it has garnered a much larger audience since its release on Prime Video.
The franchise also highlights the original 1987 live-action adaptation from Cannon Films, featuring Dolph Lundgren and Frank Langella. Arrow Video has launched a new division called Toy Robot Video, focusing on cult films. Masters of the Universe is included in their debut lineup for upcoming 4K releases, with one standout feature being a recently discovered “Preview Cut” of the film that includes extended scenes and alternate takes.
Preview Cut
One thing I appreciate is that Toy Robot began both discs with a movie preview. The preview is likely for an upcoming release — the 1983 Tom Selleck film, High Road to China. That was a delightful surprise.
Now, let’s dive into what you might have been anticipating — the Preview Cut of Masters of the Universe. According to the packaging, this cut is just four minutes longer than the theatrical version. Advertised as “recently unearthed” and labeled a “preview cut,” I expected something rougher — perhaps sourced from a VHS tape or an old, grainy film print. However, the Preview Cut is actually remastered alongside the theatrical version and looks just as good as the theatrical 4K transfer!
Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite meet expectations. The differences between the two cuts are minimal. There are some extended scenes that provide additional context to the film, but they don’t feel particularly special for fans. The most noticeable changes include an extra scene with Man At Arms that contributes to world-building and a few additional exchanges between Skeletor and Sorceress, which I enjoyed due to Frank Langella’s remarkable performance as Skeletor; however, these moments are brief. There may be alternate shots I missed, but overall, the Preview Cut closely resembles the theatrical version. That said, I still consider it superior with those added moments.
After watching this cut, I realized that this movie was pivotal for Cannon Films, nearly leading to their downfall. It’s likely that not much was left on the cutting room floor, as they had to maximize every second on screen.
4K Blu-Ray
The UHD Blu-ray on both discs looks fantastic. Arrow Video consistently delivers high-quality transfers, and even under a different label, the quality remains consistent with Arrow releases. Both cuts feature DolbyVision and DTS lossless audio. The movie looks impressive! We recently reviewed the Mars Attacks 4K from Warner Bros., and I didn’t notice a significant quality leap in that picture. Masters of the Universe also appears to come from Warner Bros., but its restoration is handled by Arrow, and I can definitely see a difference in the care invested in both films. It’s crisp and sharp with some grain and looks amazing. The audio is dynamic, with certain elements of sound design coming through effectively in surround sound.
We also receive extras including new interviews with actors Robert Duncan McNeill and Anthony De Longis, along with production designer William Stout. Additionally, there’s an interesting archival featurette that has been well-preserved for this release (which resembles the VHS transfer I anticipated for the preview cut). An audio commentary from director Gary Goddard is included as well as trailers and stills. The storyboard images are both amusing and poignant due to their grandiosity. It’s amusing to think that Cannon believed they could manage such an ambitious production while it’s also disheartening that there was a more faithful vision for Masters of the Universe, which ultimately had to be compromised to save costs.
Final Verdict
I am a fan of the 1987 Masters of the Universe. Arrow has done another excellent job with this presentation transfer, and if you’re a big fan of the film, I’d recommend it. You can pre-order it HERE. For collectors who are fans of the film and can afford it, I believe it’s a worthwhile upgrade.
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