Though it aired for only two seasons the classic 1980s cartoon series HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE remains a nostalgic favorite of anyone who grew up in the Reagan era. Originally created to sell a line of action... more » figures the syndicated series transcended its toy-tie-in roots with imaginative storytelling hand-drawn animation and an adroit blend of action fantasy and science-fiction.The series follows the mythical adventures of a mild-mannered royal whose magic sword transforms him into a loinclothed Prince Valiant-coiffed muscleman known as He-Man the most powerful being in the universe. Together with a loyal band of followers--including his pet tiger Cringer; his man-at-arms Duncan; the beautiful captain of the guards Teela; a cloaked floating magician Orko; and his winged mentor Sorceress--He-Man fights to protect the magically-powered Castle Greyskull from the evil clutches of his skull-faced nemesis Skeletor who presides over his own army of supervillains. This collection presents the first half of the second season with episodes 66 through 98.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: NR UPC: 787364671090« less
"The He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Season Two Volume 1 box set arrives in a box with a orange hue background. He-Man stands proud with Teela and Man-at-Arms by his side. The side art of the box continues the puzzle theme of the previous two box sets. By puzzle theme I infer that if you line the boxes up together they will make a picture. Inside the box is very colorful and episode screen shot stills adorn the flaps. Each disc is covered with a picture of one of the shows characters. Some people like surprises so I won't mention which characters are featured on the individual discs. The six discs include the first 33 episodes from the shows second season. Presumably, the second half of the season two episodes will follow shortly.
There are so many great things about the He-Man box sets. You feel like you get so much more than just episodes on DVD's. It's truly an experience. The set includes a rather thick color booklet which includes episode descriptions and screenshots from each episode on the set. The DVD box set also includes cards 9 and 10 of 16 of the collector cards included in each set.
You would think that with three He-Man releases there would be no more room for special features. I mean what's left? Wrong.
Special Features include:
2 new documentaries-
The Stories of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
The Magic of Filmation
3 Full episode commentaries
50 detailed profiles of various characters, creatures and artifacts
Fun Trivia Facts & much more.
The He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Season Two, Vol. 1 DVD box set is a true experience. The episodes look and sound great and the producers of the set worked extra hard to please the fans."
An All-Time Classic
N. Montelongo | CA, USA | 04/24/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ever since I was a kid, this has always been my favorite cartoon series. As far as mass media is concerned, this is the first attempt at blending sci-fi and fantasy together, making it a great story full of interesting characters. He-man stands as the ideal hero and role model for kids while Skeletor makes the ultimate villain. As always, this box set contains two art cards drawn by the best artists in the business, documentries on the making of the series, and character bios. In this set in particular, it contains episodes 66-98. You won't regret buying this."
The Scheimer Supremacy Continues in Season 2
Thomas Krider | Poultney, Vermont USA | 06/10/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Season 2 Volume 1 is the beginning of the end of DVD sets for the Most Powerful Man in the Universe, but dont count him out. This season marks some pretty powerful episodes. The Problem with Power, The Origin of the Sorceress, Into The Abyss, Teela's Triumph, any of the episodes appearing in the famed 10 best set that sparked the return, will grace the sets. All new featurettes hint at more of the voice acting work, Alan Oppenheimer reminisces about the work he did and how he made Skeletor a part of the American villain gallery.
Note that Tom Tataranowicz, who wrote the Problem with Power, also has a character named after him in that very episode. These shows were hitting an emotional chord as well as still sparking the imaginations of children everywhere. No crossovers from Princess of Power, but never fear. He-Man does crossover to She-Ra and that will obviously with the release of the Best of She-Ra Princess of Power, be the beginning of DVD sets for He-Man's twin.
Note fancy covers does not make He-Man or She-Ra sell, it is the content and imagination, and fantasy and the heroism that we all loved and adored back in 83 and now can relive thanks to BCI Eclipse, He-Man.org and mostly the fans.
They truly have
Let The Power Return"
Very close to perfection for an animated DVD boxed set
R. Hedges | Coast Guard Island, CA | 06/08/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The prior two releases for season 1 were superior, but the content on this first half of season 2 is truly unique. First, the animation included more details on the characters, because the animators were building on experience drawing those characters from the first season. Second, while a lot of stock footage is still used, there is new animation for all of the characters to varying degrees. Third, the writers were interested in deeply exploring the characters-this show evolved from a simple "He-Man vs. Skeletor" to more of "The adventures of He-Man" which was very cool.
The documentary about Filmation is something I've wanted to see for many years-it reveals how Lou Schiemer ran Filmation and all kinds of interesting trivia about Filmation studios that has never been disclosed in an organized collection for public viewing before. Nice job BCI Eclipse!
As always, the boxed set includes an embossed cover, very attractive cells on the DVD's and the internal boxes and I liked the two art postcards in this collection more than the prior releases.
The only way this could have been perfect beyond perfect is if BCI Eclipse included closed captions and if they could include at least one episode with the original music remixed/resampled for stereo (I always loved Shuki Levy's music in this show).
For a He-Man fan (Filmation era), you'd do yourself a huge disservice not to get this DVD boxed set (as well as the others). Well worth the price, especially if you have an interest in learning a lot more about Filmation studios."
Another Excellent Boxed Set!
C. L. Hanson | Coon Rapids, MN United States | 06/08/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I just picked up the Season Two, volume one DVD boxed set of He-Man and the MOTU, and must say it is just as great as the Season One, volumes 1 and 2 sets.
The effort put into the creation of these boxed sets of this great cartoon show is nothing short of amazing. Everything from the carton design, the character art on the DVD's, and to the cartoons themselves, everything here is first class all the way.
If there are any complaints whatsoever, it would be on the part of Filmation, who recycled some sets and in some cases sacrificed story to introduce new characters. But in 1984 when this occurred, the He-Man cartoon and toy line was exploding with popularity, which no doubt caused a rush to get these cartoons finished and on TV. They are still extremely fun to watch, and if only for a half-hour at a time, transports you back to an easier time in your life.
I highly recommend any fan of this show to buy this set! You most definitely will not be disappointed! I look forward to the fourth and final boxed set, Season Two, vol 2."