"He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" (2002) TV series

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Jong-Sik Nam

Writers:

James Eatock (writer)
Randy Littlejohn (writer)
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

26 August 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Animation | Family | Fantasy | Sci-Fi | Action

Tagline:

A sword will choose a master, a boy will become a man, and a hero will be born.

Plot:

In Eternia, a young prince gains the ability to become a powerful warrior to aid in the war against the forces Skeletor.

Plot Keywords:

Castle | He Man | Masters Of The Universe | Prince | Villainess

Awards:

1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

Cam Clarke	...	He-Man / ... (15 episodes, 2002)
Gary Chalk	...	Man-At-Arms / ... (15 episodes, 2002)
Brian Dobson	...	Skeletor / ... (15 episodes, 2002)
Scott McNeil	...	Beastman / ... (15 episodes, 2002)
Kathleen Barr	...	Evil-Lyn / ... (14 episodes, 2002)
Gabe Khouth	...	Orko / ... (14 episodes, 2002)
Lisa Ann Beley	...	Teela / ... (13 episodes, 2002)
Nicole Oliver	...	Sorceress / ... (13 episodes, 2002)
Paul Dobson	...	Trap-Jaw / ... (12 episodes, 2002-2003)
Michael Donovan	...	King Randor / ... (8 episodes, 2002)

(more)

Series Directed by
Gary Hartle		(14 episodes, 2002-2003)
Jong-Sik Nam		(unknown episodes)

Series Writing credits
Kevin Campbell		(3 episodes, 2002-2003)
Dean Stefan		(3 episodes, 2002)
William Forrest Cluverius		(2 episodes, 2002-2003)
Michael Reaves		(2 episodes, 2002)
James Eatock		(unknown episodes)
Randy Littlejohn		(unknown episodes)
Steven Melching		(unknown episodes)
Ian Richter		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Michelle Cogan	....	associate producer (2 episodes, 2002)
Bill Schultz	....	executive producer (2 episodes, 2002)
Liz Young	....	co-producer (2 episodes, 2002)
Mike Young	....	co-producer (2 episodes, 2002)
Ian Richter	....	producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Joseph LoDuca		(unknown episodes)

Series Art Direction by
Ellen Jin		(4 episodes, 2002)

Series Art Department
Jay Oliva	....	storyboard supervisor (9 episodes, 2002-2003)
Adam Van Wyk	....	storyboard artist (5 episodes, 2002)
Lynell Forestall	....	storyboard artist (4 episodes, 2002)
Vinton Heuck	....	storyboard artist (4 episodes, 2002)
Eric Canete	....	storyboard artist (3 episodes, 2002)
Tim Divar	....	storyboard artist (3 episodes, 2002)
Alan Wan	....	storyboard artist (3 episodes, 2002)
Dave Bullock	....	storyboard artist (2 episodes, 2002)
Ron Frenz	....	storyboard artist (2 episodes, 2002)
Chap Yaep	....	storyboard artist (2 episodes, 2002)

Series Sound Department
Elizabeth Hinson	....	sound editor (unknown episodes)
Rick Hinson	....	supervising sound editor (unknown episodes)

Series Visual Effects by
Shant Jordan	....	3D modeler (unknown episodes)

Series Animation Department
Kirk Tingblad	....	timing director (39 episodes, 2002-2003)
Steve Vallino	....	animatic editor (3 episodes, 2002-2003)
Erick Aragon	....	color key artist (unknown episodes)

Series Editorial Department
Steve Vallino	....	assistant editor (3 episodes, 2002-2003)

Series Music Department
Randall Monday	....	music editor / music engineer (26 episodes, 2002-2003)
Scott Davidson	....	music engineer (13 episodes, 2003)
Terry Reiff	....	music editor (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Dean Stefan	....	story editor (6 episodes, 2002-2003)
Jeremy Lang	....	director of information technology (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• BLT Productions
• Mattel
• Mike Young Productions

Distributors

• Cartoon Network
• YTV

Other Companies

• Marshall/Plumb Research Associates  script research
• Mattel  merchandise

Also Known As:

He-Man (USA) (promotional title)
Masters of the Universe vs. the Snake Men (USA) (new title)

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:TV-Y7

Company:

BLT Productions

Trivia:

Prince Adam's narrative during the opening titles is a variation on the opening monologue from the original "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" (1983). In both cases, it's meant to explain the Adam/He-Man relationship, but here Adam is interrupted. The unfinished portion from the original is: "Fabulous secrets were revealed to me the day I held aloft my magic sword and said, 'By the power of Grayskull!'"

Quotes:

[Skeletor is wearing a magical belt that electrocutes him whenever he says, does, or thinks anything evil]
Skeletor: He- Man, defeated. This is the most delightful moment of my...
[the belt shocks him]
Skeletor: AAAAH.
Trap-Jaw: Life?

Movie Connections:

Version of Grayskull (2011)

The power rekindled

I was born in 1983 (the same year the original series first came out) so it's not too far of a stretch to say that I literally grew up with it, in any case it remains one of my all time favourites. So, when I heard they were coming out with a remake I was hopeful, but skeptical. I've seen too many fall flat and too many are blatant money ploys with little bearing on the original (like a certain movie that I won't name.).

That said, when I first watched the series I was pleasantly surprised. This is obviously a labour of love that gives as much respect to old schoolers like myself as it does to those who have never even heard of Eternia. I was amazed to see the amount of detail, from Evil-Lynn's hair to the long standing Keldor/Skeletor rumour, that was brought into it.

The characterization is also terrific and they've even expanded on as are many of the details and relationships that weren't as heavily addressed in the old one. The animation is much richer and smoother and the series lacks the classic "80s cheese" (oh well).

Not to say that there aren't some points that I don't think work well ie: my biggest problem is Cringer not talking, though that's a rant I've done elsewhere.

This is a strong series that I've really enjoyed up to now and is, so far, a worthy successor to the original.