Hearing about an extended cut of Masters of the Universe made me want to chant “Release the Goddard cut!” It’s actually only four minutes longer and I needed other He-Man sites to tell me what was added. Early bits with Man-At-Arms (Jon Cypher) injured and Kevin (Robert Duncan McNeill) playing the key are minor, but some additions at the end add meaningful closure to the finale.
I always liked the 1987 live-action movie. And there is about 90% more location and set builds than this year’s Amazon version, though that was also fun for a modern take. Frank Langella steals the show as Skeletor but Dolph Lundgren is a good He-Man. He has the body for it but also seems sincere.
Three interviews with McNeill, Blade actor Anthony De Longis and production designer William Stout are good finds. An old behind-the-scenes spot has some good Lundgren quotes about catching fire and his appreciation of He-Man’s heroics. He seems to really get it.
Stout’s commentary on the Preview Cut gets scene specific about sets and costumes. In between those he gives some general anecdotes. One location was the future site of the Rodney King incident. The commentary director Gary Goddard recorded for the 2012 Blu-ray is also included on the theatrical cut.