Masters of the Universe and What’s Making Us Happy
6/5/202624 min
The new Masters of the Universe movie is packed with Easter eggs for fans of the old 80s cartoon and toys, but does this wannabe summer blockbuster have anything to offer for everybody else? It features big names playing the signature characters, like He-Man (Nicholas Galitzine), Evil-Lyn (Alison Brie), Man at Arms (Idris Elba), and Skeletor (Jared Leto). But the movie also adds a contemporary and comedic comic riff on the story.
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First 90 secondsSpeaker 10:00
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Glen Weldon· Host0:13
[upbeat music] Are you in the Masters of the Universe window? If you were a kid in the '80s, you probably are, because ever since Mattel launched their line of Masters of the Universe action figures back then, there have been animated series, movies, comics, and more that worked to sell those toys to kids and nerds. Well, there's a new movie starring the whole gang, He-Man, Skeletor, Evil-Lyn, Man-At-Arms, and the cast is stacked with big names, Nicholas Galitzine, Alison Brie, Idris Elba. That's great news if you're already a fan, but does this wannabe summer blockbuster have anything to offer for literally anybody else? I'm Glen Weldon. Joining me today on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour is podcaster Jordan Morris. He's the co-host of Jordan, Jesse, Go! and Free With Ads. Hey, Jordan.
Jordan Morris· Guest1:02
Hi, Glen. I have the power to talk about this movie with you.
Glen Weldon· Host1:05
[laughs] You certainly, certainly do. Also with us is filmmaker, pop culture critic, and iHeartRadio producer Joelle Monique. Hey, Joelle.
Joelle Monique· Guest1:12
Hi, Glen.
Glen Weldon· Host1:13
Let's get to it. The new Masters of the Universe movie takes the basic plot points of the old '80s cartoon and adds a contemporary comic riff on them. Here, Adam is a sad sack HR professional on Earth, played by Nicholas Galitzine. He longs for his lost youth as a royal