He-Man & The Masters Of The Universe – Volume 3 (2002/BCI DVD)
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras: B+ Episodes: B-
Back for
one last romp around Castle Gray Skull; He-Man
and the Masters of the Universe: Volume 3 contains the final episodes of
the latest He-Man series. The series has
not changed much in three volumes, but to some degree has gotten more detailed
as far as action and storyline. The
series (if followed from the beginning) does get the viewer hooked with its
interlocking storylines and ability to amp of the suspense with time. Overall, the 2002 edition of He-Man was a
great and highly detailed series that this reviewer is sad to see end. Who knows what the future holds for our sword
swinging, loincloth touting hero…only time will tell.
The
technical features on this final round of the 2002 remake are adequate, but
have yet to dawn the title of masters of the DVD universe. The picture
once again is in good shape for a newer series in its 1.78 X 1 Anamorphic
Widescreen and maintains solid, bright colors throughout with a crisp, clean
image. It has a certain cinematic
quality about it. The sound is presented in a nice Dolby Digital 2.0
Stereo and this reviewer continues to wish they would have utilized a more
booming surround presentation as He-Man shouted out his battle cries. The
sound does have a better power behind it this time, but not by much.
The
extras on He-Man Volume 3 are
comparable to the previous season set releases in that it is full of solid,
interesting features. The extras this
time around contain:
- End of Episode Morals
- 2 Video Commentaries (1
extended)
- 5 Audio Commentaries
- Interviews with Toyline
Artists from Mattel and The Four Horsemen
- Digital Comic Book of
Unproduced 40TH Episode
- 3 Image Galleries
- 3 Full Episode Animatics
- Scripts for Episodes 27-40
(DVD-ROM)
- 2 Art Cards by acclaimed
comic book artists Jason Shawn Alexander and Chris Bahalo
The
extras are pretty self explanatory, but the one extra that stands out on this
set is the interviews with the Toyline Artists at Mattel and Four
Horsemen. After years of television
series and films being released on DVD, one series FINALLY puts an extra
feature that describes the marketing aspect of the feature in terms of toys. The Star Wars Special Editions briefly touched
on George Lucas’s great marketing skills, but did little in actually discussing
the toys. Here on this set, fans get a
first hand look at the creative process as action figures and other
collectables are created for the newest He-Man incarnation. If no other special feature was included but
the Toyline interview, it would still be a great set; thankfully BCI rightfully
gave fans a ton of other extras to sift through as well. Plus you get some neat art cards!
The last
13 episodes of the 2002 He-Man series
really explodes with everything the series has to offer when all chaos breaks
loose throughout the kingdom. The Snake
Men and evil Hordak seek to rule the world, but as the evil grows closer He-Man
unlocks a power and a legendary link with King Grayskull that will change the
lands forever. The series was epic from
beginning to end and now is not the time to miss out.
BY THE
POWER OF GRAYSKULL! This reviewer is
out…
- Michael P. Dougherty II