He-man & The Masters of the Universe 2002

[madtitan]

So just picked up Volume 3 of this series on DVD. I have the complete series from the 80's and love it don't get me wrong but I really liked what they were attempting with this retelling. I think its look and some of the background story tie ins were well done. The series had great writers, voice actors, composers and animators on this series. Too bad it didn't last since it would have been nice to see Season 2 completed and move on into the proposed Season 3 story arc.

If you don't have the series and are a fan of He-Man I urge you to check this animated series out. I am seriously thinking of running an rpg of this if ever I have the time and the players.

check out an Episode 1 of The Beginning here:


Episode 2


Episode 3

[Tommy Brownell]

I agree...what I got to see of the '02 revival was excellent...I wish it had continued longer.

When I was a kid, He-Man was IT for me.

[daredevil]

I liked the old He-Man as well. Ever see She-Ra ?

[Tommy Brownell]

I even owned some of the She-Ra toys.

I'm not ashamed to say it.

[madtitan]

She-Ra kicked butt and was a great show. I still have to get around to picking up the DVD series for He-Man's sister.

As far as the 2002 series it would have been nice to see where it would have went as they were going to introduce She-Ra as well:

Warning there could be spoilers for those wanting to watch the DVD releases.

Unfinished Third Season
In a Q&A session with the members of He-Man.Org, Ian Richter of Mattel, who was behind many of the storylines of the cartoon, revealed some details on what had been planned for the show. Had the series continued, the second half of season 2 was planned to have featured King Hiss being regenerated after his capture by the Masters, and a final showdown between himself and Skeletor, of which Skeletor would have emerged the victor. Skeletor was then to have used his creation, Faker (character) to trick the Eternians into thinking He-Man had turned against them, thus enabling him to overthrow Randor and conquer the kingdom for himself. The third season would have involved the takeover of Eternia by Hordak and the Evil Horde, who would have been released from their prison by Evil-Lyn and overthrown Skeletor, thus spreading mayhem across Eternia, effectively making He-Man and the Masters wanted fugitives.

Apparently the intention was for Skeletor, who owed his very life to Hordak, to have finally gained the power to overcome his mentor by the end of the season. At some point, Man-At-Arms was to have been captured and turned temporarily into a Snake Man (how long this change would have lasted has never been confirmed), Teela would have learned of her heritage, and She-Ra would have been introduced, according to Ian Richter, 'when the time was right'.

After the second season wrapped up, the series was terminated by Cartoon Network, and the toyline itself was swiftly ended by Mattel. The reason being that the show had not received strong ratings, and the toyline failed to appeal to the main demographics. Fans insist the series' failure was due to the lack of hype, promo time, and a decent time slot on the networks' part (even though Cartoon Network at one point scheduled He-Man right after Teen Titans, the highest rated show on the network at the time), whereas Mattel simply failed to promote the toyline themselves, concentrating mostly on their female products like Barbie.

The line suffered from poor distribution of the action figures within the toyline (i.e. three Skeletors to every one Evil-Lyn) as well as spotty shipments to retailers. Most collectors found it nearly impossible to collect every figure as the only ones to be found were the primary characters, which led to toy stores becoming frustrated with merchandise that would not sell, which in turn meant less restocking.

Trivia
*Gary Chalk, the voice of Man-At-Arms, voiced He-Man in The New Adventures of He-Man series.

*Michael Halperin, developer of the original He-Man series bible, wrote "Of Machines and Men" for the second season.

*Despite the original form for He-Man only appearing for three more episodes in the second season, a new, longer transformation sequence was created for Adam calling on the power of Grayskull.

*As an homage and in joke towards the original series, the opening sequence seems similar to the original where Prince Adam gives the classic monologue: "I am Adam, Prince of Eternia, Defender of the secrets of Castle Greyskull. This is Cringer, my fearless friend. Fabulous secret powers were...". The monologue is abruptly cut off at this point by a fierce fight sequence which composes the rest of the opening sequence.

*In the first season episode Sky War, Skeletor gets his hands on the Ambrosia, a miracle food which bestows great power upon those who consume it. The effects transform Skeletor into a version of himself not unlike the one seen in the live action movie, a possible homage to the 1987 film. Later, when the Ambrosia's effects finally wear off, Skeletor elicits the same anguished cry that he voiced when losing his god-like power in the movie.

*Cringer/Battle Cat does not talk in this version since Mike Young Productions didn't want that. Also, they banned the use of Granymyr when it came to the episode "Separation."

*As an in-joke, the prologue of one episode sees Skeletor attempt to acquire the Diamond Ray of Disappearance, the first mystical weapon he uses against He-Man and Castle Grayskull in the first chronological episode of the original series (it was not the first produced nor was it the first broadcast).

*The series marked the first time that the character Stinkor ever appeared in any animated form. The character was first introduced in the original Masters of the Universe toy-line in 1985, and was originally meant to be a part of the She-Ra: Princess of Power TV series as a member of the Evil Horde. But, he was considered to be too silly of a character. Considering the fact that was basically a humanoid skunk character, who's only power was that of releasing a horrible stench from his body. He was never used in the "She-Ra" series, nor did he appear in the original He-Man and the Masters of the Universe series. The character was finally introduced in this series and was even given a back story as to why he retains his terrible smell. A chemical accident mutated him from a small petty thief known as Odiphus, into the vile Stinkor.

*The series actually had "moral of the story" segments (as did the original Filmation series). However, these were not seen in the U.S. broadcasts. The segments were later included in the DVD release.

*In flashbacks during season 1, Man-At-Arms is seen with no mustache. This is a possible joke or reference to the original Man-At-Arms figure, which had no mustache. The mustache was added to the cartoon version because they thought he looked too young.


I would have to say that Mattell really Dropped the ball as did Cartoon Network on this. They had a hit but of course the idiot suits messed it up.
Shame really....had I any power in Mattell at the time this was out I would have pushed it to the moon. And it would have sold. But I guess that is the difference I am a fan where as the suits just look at whether it makes money just sitting on the shelf. Lets push Barbie or as she is aptly named: BHE-"The B***h has Everything.

[daredevil]

Thanks for the info Mad Titan. Now i'm going to buy He-Mam and watch it all over again. Plus you get Exalted.

[madtitan]

Aug 9, 2008 16:02:37 GMT -5 daredevil said:

Thanks for the info Mad Titan. Now i'm going to buy He-Mam and watch it all over again. Plus you get Exalted.

Thanks Daredevil!

[oninowon]

OT but had to share...

So I got to try out Soul Caliber IV on the internet today and my opponent made a He-Man character (and he so rocked!). That player played really well (he kicked ass).

[madtitan]

Aug 9, 2008 17:11:20 GMT -5 oninowon said:

OT but had to share...

So I got to try out Soul Caliber IV on the internet today and my opponent made a He-Man character (and he so rocked!). That player played really well (he kicked ass).

Wait you can create your own characters in SCIV?! d**n! I might have to go out and pick that game up now!

[oninowon]

I don't own the game myself but apparently, you can take any one of the characters and change his appearance and stats. I think you can also change his fighting style but I don't know to what extent.

When my friend went on the internet to find opponents for us, one of the opponents brought his own made up character that had a pretty good semblence to He-man. I was impressed.

My friend dabbled in character creation and from what little I saw, you pick one of the main characters and you can change the color (from hair, eyes, to clothes), physic (body build), and give him whatever weapons. All these cost points which you accumulate by playing the story mode and arcade.

[madtitan]

Interesting....