High Octane Pictures presents the nostalgic and inspiring documentary, Power of Grayskull, featuring Dolph Lundgren and Frank Langella. Directors Randall Lobb and Robert McCallum manage to put together the stars, the artists, and the creative team behind the definitive history of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe franchise.
In the early 1980s, He-Man arrived on the scene and hit the world with a punch as powerful as the character himself. Designed in the wake of Conan the Barbarian and under the shadow of Star Wars, He-Man’s surprising popularity spawned a multi billion dollar empire that included toys, comic books, cartoons, live-action movies, and a literal sister spinoff show – She-Ra – and continues to appeal to a ravenous fan-base today.
Here are 5 reasons why you should see Power of Grayskull: The Definitive History of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe:
5) The Behind-The-Scenes Drama!
Viewers will get an introspective look at Mattel’s action figure toy line. After losing the rights to Star Wars and realizing Conan the Barbarian was for adult audiences, He-Man came out as an original idea inspired by both franchises. I really enjoyed how the documentary provides early sketches and concept art of He-Man before the finalized version.
4) She-Ra!
I knew I wasn’t the only person who enjoyed She-Ra cartoon more than He-Man’s. It’s amazing how Sense8 co-creator J. Michael Straczynski doesn’t hold back about the obstacles he went through with executives on the cartoon. Straczynski reveals what his creative vision endured while encountering chauvinistic views.
3) Dolph Lundgren!
My favorite part of the documentary deals with the making of the Masters of the Universe movie. Creed II actor Dolph Lundgren mentions how the studio and toy company argued over how He-Man doesn’t kill. Even though Masters of the Universe wasn’t a commercial success, Lundgren has a lot of pride looking back on the film.
2) Frank Langella!
Frank Langella was incredibly scary and dominating in his Skeletor performance. Langella had bulked up for the film because Skeletor is shirtless in the toys and cartoons. Because of budget cuts, Langella eloquently describes an elaborate fight scene He-Man and Skeletor that was supposed to take place.
1) An Enlightening Documentary!
If you have the toys and watched the cartoon, Power of Grayskull does a fantastic job recreating the joy and fun of childhood memories. You will definitely be shouting the theme of inner strength, “I have the power!”
Power of Grayskull: The Definitive History of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe arrives September 3rd, 2019 on DVD and Digital.