hyped garbage

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

He-Man is an older cartoon from before the 90s that was during the golden age of "Saturday Morning Cartoons". Children from around the United States would tune in ever Saturday to watch cartoons and share something awesome from the television. Granted, many of the shows were just to sell toys, but that didn't stop from helping to shape the childhood of children everywhere. Las I checked it was something like 20-30 million children that would tune in. How many do you suppose that watched He-Man?Anyway, He-Man gets his own movie tie in. This movie is a bit on the special side as it introduces He-Man's girl counterpart – She-Ra. She has most of the same goods that He-Man does, a mystical sword, enchantment phrase, costume, princess identity, as well as a talking mascot. She-Ra, unlike He-Man is from a world that is under war at all times; there is a great rebellion and She-Ra is part of it. Only, this movie is the predecessor to She-Ra and introduces her to her own series.In this movie, a portal has opened within the keep of Castle Greyskull. The Sorceress has summoned Prince Adam (He-Man) to check out this gateway to another realm. Adam reluctantly goes with his faithful companion Cringer. He takes with him a sword that has a special destiny for a woman. On the other side he makes friends and enemies fairly quickly. He is soon caught up in the rebellion against "The Hoard". Turns out one of the generals is the woman he is looking for and the sword he is carrying soon breaks the Hoard's mind control on her. The general does some soul searching, but is soon borough back under the influence of the Hoard. The movie spends a great deal of time behind this general's history, but I will not spoil it.There is quite a bit of cross over in this movie; different characters get screen time, and for the most part they make it a very memorable cartoon movie, unlike another 80s cartoon (Transformers – the Movie) which has one memorable fight and death and that is it. This movie also explains the origins of the villains, the relation between He-Man and the general, as well as why current events in Asteria exist the way that they do.I've heard that He-Man's animation team used the same models throughout the series and even in this movie, many of them look similar with only minor changes to differentiate characters. I do know He-Man transforms at least twice, his walk animation has been used in other sequences outside of the movie, but as well his punch is the same animation reused twice in the movie. His punch animation is also used in the introduction of the television series if I am not mistaken. Character models themselves are also a bit weird – big shouldered women with small waists and big hips, while the men have muscular legs that look real, their shoulder width is unbelievable – especially He-Man and Prince Adam.The music for the series is good – but many 80's movies had music play throughout – even if it was electronic music via a keyboard, it was a sign of the times. Voice acting definitely strived for differences in the characters and did it quite well, but at times the different renditions of the character's voices (played by the same actors no less) sounds bad at certain points and otherwise sounds out of place.This movie also combines technology with fantasy as magic is used right alongside science fiction elements. The fight sequences are also interesting and I enjoyed some of them. The overall plot for the movie is also good, but I will not spoil it. I recommend this movie to those that enjoy animated films or are looking for 80's nostalgia. Those that prefer live action may want to look elsewhere – as this movie has a bit of a goofy feel to it at times.Originally posted to Orion Age ().

I liked this movie, I thought it was entertaining , and I love the 80s values it has. It has good, loving 80s themes. A time I wish I was born into with full consciousness and could of stayed in for my entire life. A time of love and morals, ethics on the TV. As a Heman movie, yeah, it's accurate, it's truthful to Heman . It's a good family film, I enjoyed watching it. But , it's really long. It just drags on and on lol. I think it's one of the longest existing cartoon movies I've ever seen. Good old, 80s cheese, love. I love it for that, such a cherished, loving children's film. It was a nice , little film . Enjoyable for sure. Why Orko isn't in it? I don't know, I guess he just takes too much screen presence, I don't know. And watching it , Heman's voice changes towards the end? ANYWAYS who cares.Good 80s love classic .

A hundred million years ago, I thought He-Man was cool, but She-Ra was even cooler. I don't even know why I thought so.. maybe because I also dug Wonder Woman, The Bionic Woman, and Batgirl.. but I digress. When the movie came out, pre-multiplex, kids of all ages rejoiced when Adora 'held aloft her magic sword and said, "For The Honor of Greyskull!" Yeah, that was cool. She-Ra had a more upbeat theme than her brother, He-Man, and quite honestly, her special effects were better too. I coulda done with Cowl, the owl, and "Swift Wind", the lame-ass talking horse, but the rest of it was decent. Bo had a rockin' bod, Castaspella (don't you just love the name?!) could kick Shadow Weaver's butt, and Queen Angella, with her wannabe English accent, defended Castle Bright Moon till the cows came home. Mixing the original He-Man series with She-Ra was done effectively, meaning it was a buyable story-line... and when all was said and done, and Adora, nay She-Ra, realized her true identity, she decided to stay and "defend Etheria against the evil forces of Hordak." Pure cheese, but when you're a kid, who cares?!

From the powers behind the very successful ‘He-Man and the Masters of the universe' (1983), came a really original and interesting movie length cartoon called ‘The secret of the sword' (1985). With all the true He-Man class, here is a cartoon that has had me captivated both as a kid and an adult. If you are a true He-Man fan, and have not seen ‘SOTS', then you must see it, see it now. Prince Adam and Cringer are asked by the Sorceress to travel to Etheria (with a new sword of power), in search of the ‘one' who is meant for a special destiny..... to gain the powers of becoming ‘She-Ra, the princess of power!', possessing similar powers to her twin brother, He-Man. She-Ra is able to fight and free Etheria from the grasp of the evil Horde!The former ‘Filmation' group produced one of the truly great cartoon movies. The story here is really fresh and original. When Prince Adam enters on a quest to find the owner of a mysterious sword, the adventure goes from one battle to another. I love how we learn about the dark secrets of the new planet ‘Etheria', how evil the Horde have been to the planet, the rebellion (which Adam learns are trying to right the wrongs of the Horde) and how great a person Adora is going to be. Yet this story also has very original characters on both sides. Then for the story to contain the aspects of He-man's ‘twin sister', rounds the story of beautifully. The writers of ‘SOTS' were Larry Ditillo and Bob Forward. The characters of this movie are really well defined. Of course there are the normal characters of Prince Adam and his pet tiger, Cringer. Adam is summoned to Castle Grayskull by the Sorceress, whose part in the movie is of vital importance. However once Adam enters ‘Etheria' we meet some quite extraordinary people. First off the rank is the rebel ‘Bow' and his owl-like side kick called ‘Kowl'. Bow helps Adam escape some evil guards, after this, Bow takes him too meet the rebel leader, the beautiful Glimmer. After Glimmer, we meet the bumbling witch ‘Madam Razz' and her talking broom stick. All of these characters are so different, making them all entertaining and interesting to learn about as Adam is on his adventure. But the bad guys are pretty evil. The hordes leader is a tyrant named ‘Hordak'. Under Hordak are some, you would have to say, pretty ordinary characters in the realms of the story. Shadow Weaver is an evil witch, with her only desire to serve her leader, you have Grizlor, Catra, Scorpia, Mantana, Leech and the flying pig, ‘imp'. However there is one character on the side of the Horde, who is slowly starting to be turned to the forces of good, that of ‘Force captain Adora'. He-Man meeting her has put doubts in her mind, so much so that she goes to learn what the Horde is really like. But under the evil spells of Shadow Weaver, Adora is kept in check. But for how long?Then when Hordak plans an evil end to the Rebels, all seems doomed for Etheria. After He-Man is captured by Hordak, Adora has a night's sleep that is disturbed by strange dreams. Once she wakes, she learns the secrets of her past, through her sword of power (which is just like He-Man's, although it has a jewel in the middle of it). I won't tell you her secret past that is for the movie to do. She is told by the Sorceress, to serve the forces of good, ‘For the honor of Grayskull'. When she holds up her sword and shouts those words she turns into ‘She-Ra, the Princess of Power!‘ Once this happens, all is much better for Etheria, but not so for Hordak, who is most displeased with the new foe that has appeared. Then when Adora decides to return to Eternia with Adam, it infuriates Hordak, so much so that he also returns with them. Here is where we see two old rivals, Hordak, and He-Man's archenemy ‘Skeletor' reunited, to help Hordak win back Adora. Skeletor is one of my favourite He-Man characters and here is as good as ever. I have partially looked at what the story is about, but if I am tempting you too see the movie, please by all means see it. The people behind making the movie were the four directors, Ed Friedman, Lou Kachivas, Marsh Lamore, Bill Reed and Gwen Wetlzer who were all a part of bringing us ‘Masters of the Universe'. Here they all put their delicate touch to the film, and help bring out the great story that was written. The voiceover talents were also great on this film. Regulars like John Erwin, Alan Oppenheimer, Erika Scheimer, Linda Gary and Eric Gunden are joined with Melendy Britt and George Dicendzo. All these people have terrific scope with their voices, and were invaluable for a movie such as this one. I really am a fan of this movie, with each aspect of it being wonderful. There was also a terrific song written for it called ‘I have the power', performed by Erika Scheimer and Noam Kaniel. I guess my only criticism would be the exclusion of one of my favourite He-Man characters, that of Orko. I am sure he would have been an interesting character to add into the story, but I can understand the writers leaving him out. For memory, Orko appeared in an episode of the ‘She-Ra, Princess of Power' series, which I found a big let down after this great cartoon movie. By the way, my favourite She-Ra characters are Kowl and Hordak. I will also admit that a few years ago I went on a journey to find this film and while it took some time, once I found it, the wait was worthwhile. CMRS gives ‘The Secret of the Sword': 4.5 (Very Good-Brilliant Film)