As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster. Oh shit, wrong movie. As far back as I can remember, I was completely enthralled with the killer doll genre, long before Chucky took center stage in 1988 and really kicked off a line of killer doll films from competing studios. It all really started for me with Talky Tina and THE TWILIGHT ZONE, then spilled over into Stuart Gordon’s DOLLS– a film I became obsessed with when I was very young, and still has a grip on me today as an adult. Not long after DOLLS hit video store rental shelves, which is where I discovered it, another film that Charles Band, who produced the 1987 horror flick, and his production company FULL MOON PICTURES showed up in the horror section of my local Mom and Pop Video Store entitled PUPPET MASTER. And this little movie did for FULL MOON what Freddy did for NEW LINE- it built a legacy and a ton of quirky B Horror and straight-to-VHS horror films to follow. And we all have Blade and friends to thank for it.
To be totally transparent, I actually saw PUPPET MASTER II before seeing the first movie. I know, wild; I was totally confused, but it didn’t restrict any love that happened upon my first viewing because I was immediately hooked and went to rent the original the following day. So, hence, the sequel is the one that truly sparked my love for the franchise and the one that remains a favorite. Not just for nostalgic reasons, but I firmly believe this is the best film of the franchise without a doubt.
SYNOPSIS:
The living puppets dig up their dead creator, Andre Toulon. Running low on the secret life-giving fluid, Toulon and his killer creations harvest brain fluid from a team of paranormal investigators at the Bodega Bay Inn. At the same time, Toulon targets a researcher he believes is his reincarnated wife.
Puppet Master IIramps up the body count, expands the franchise lore, and introduces some of the most iconic elements of the entire series. The deadly marionettes-Blade, Jester, Pinhead, Tunneler, and Leech Woman are running out of the mystical green elixir that sustains them. To save themselves, they head to a foggy graveyard, dig up the mummified corpse of their creator Andre Toulon, and bring him back from the dead.
Toulon is now alive, but he is a decomposing mess wrapped in bandages. To brew a fresh batch of his life-giving serum, he needs a very specific ingredient: fresh human brain tissue. YUMMO. Conveniently, a team of unsuspecting paranormal investigators rolls into the creepy Bodega Bay Inn to look into the events of the first film. Toulon, masquerading as a hotel guest and trying to channel his best Claude Rains impression, unleashes his mini-monsters to harvest the team’s grey matter.
Things take a bizarre turn when Toulon realizes the lead investigator, Carolyn, looks exactly like his deceased wife, Elsa. The plot shifts from a simple slasher into a mad-scientist romance. Toulon concocts a plan to murder Carolyn, kill himself, and transfer both of their souls into life-sized human mannequins so they can live happily ever after.
How romantic. Also the most nightmare-inducing images of the entire movie.
Puppet Master II is also the introduction to one of my favorites of the franchise, TORCH. The only puppet with the absolute balls to kill a kid.
As an 80s kid, I’m a stickler for practical effects, and David Allen’s stop-motion animation gives the puppets a distinct, uncanny movement that CGI just can’t replicate. Which is something I’m afraid of happening, as rumors are circulating that BLUMHOUSE will be rebooting the beloved B Horror franchise in the future. I’m all for breathing new life into the puppets of my generation, but let’s be clear- Blumhouse has always been hit or miss, with a lot more misses, unfortunately, when it comes to horror movie reboots. This is why I can’t even fuck with the new Chucky movies or series. There is way too much CGI going on, and it makes the dolls look even more cheesy than intended and completely unrealistic. I mean, it’s about as fake as you can get, and we’re talking puppets and dolls who come alive from spells and potions. Which is a WILD thing to even say. But I just know that Blumhouse would pull that same kind of shit, and Toulon’s creations will just become another mediocre product from Jason Blum.
Yeah. I said it.
That being said,Puppet Master II perfectly balances genuinely creepy imagery with the delightful, low-budget B-movie charm of the early ’90s, and I’ll always remember the first time I saw it thanks to my local video store. Another treasure that gained momentum through word of mouth, an intriguing VHS cover, and inspired young horror fans to come back for more B horror.
All hail the memories of horror movie video rentals.
He-Man comes to life in 2026 in a way we could only dream of as kids.
I admit this is the movie I was most afraid to see this year. Simply because I was worried that somehow Hollywood would do what it’s known to do and take a beloved IP and entirely fuck it to Hell and back. Any of our long-time readers will know what a He-Man fanatic I am. It’s my favorite thing of all time, the one IP I collect in any form I can find (on that note, one of my favorite pieces in my collection is a stupid paper Birthday plate from the ‘80s), and I’ve written more about MOTU on here than anything else, with Godzilla being a close second. Naturally, this is the movie I wanted to see but was scared it would be nothing but another disappointment, and I think that’s why a lot of people aren’t giving it a chance. We’ve been burnt too many times before.
So everyone who knows me wanted my thoughts on this highly anticipated movie. After seeing the movie four times (three times the first three days of its release), I’ve finally let it digest enough where I could share my thoughts confidently. In short, I love this movie! It surpassed my expectations, delivered a genuine He-Man story, and brings a whole lot of heart to a movie that’s essentially a glorified Saturday morning cartoon brought to live-action life.
Before seeing it, I told friends I didn’t care really if the movie was subpar as long as it had good fights; I would try to like it regardless. My expectations weren’t all that high as you can imagine, so I wasn’t expecting to be hit right in the feels by a story that’s deeply heartfelt and, well, powerfully hopeful.
First impressions
Director Travis Knight made it clear right from the start they wanted to base this cinematic world’s look primarily on the toy line, a series of colorful characters and playsets with distinct looks, weapons, and traits. MOTU is also the first toy line to be released with its own lore backing it. A lore expanded over the years through mini-comics, cartoon shows across the decades, and epic comic storylines.
People readily recognize these characters, and Castle Grayskull is an icon among pop culture. Why mess with perfection? Luckily, Travis Knight proves to be a fan like the rest of us and faithfully brought us an Eternia we’ve been waiting forty years to see.
This is a movie full of big characters, bigger battles, and a badass return to the joy and simple pleasures of Saturday mornings when the cereal was sugary, and the floor was littered with our favorite toys. MOTU 2026 proudly plays right into the campy fun of the Filmation cartoon we grew up on, complete, I might add, with a valuable lesson learned once the movie ends.
That camp might discourage some who wanted a more serious-based He-Man film, but, for fuck’s sake, we already have a serious take on MOTU that was released nearly forty years ago (I feel old as fuck now), and despite it finding its cult following now, that movie was rejected by fans upon its initial release.
What about the controversies that surrounded the movie?
It’s ok to have fun at a movie, something many people have forgotten how to do, and the box office is showing that. Despite the praise from both critics and fans alike, the film is struggling at the box office, and that’s hard to admit. It has people asking how a movie so praised and loved can be struggling this badly. I don’t have an answer for that other than people are silly, spoiled, or stuck like a bump on a log. Some people are crossing their arms and refusing to go see it for one reason or another, and that’s not doing the box office any favors for sure. I read a lot of people already made up their minds not to see it, largely due to some controversies prior to the movie’s release. So let’s look at what all the fuss is over.
The Controversies
Jared Leto’s casting caused people to lose their minds. They foamed at the mouth, they pulled out their teeth, and they shoved whole pineapples up their asses when he was announced to be playing the greatest villain of all time, Skeletor. People thought he’d ruin the character and acted like his casting meant the world was going to explode. However, upon the film’s release, he’s since been called the best part about it. Skeletor steals the show! Anytime he’s on screen, he eats it up with his dastardly villainy and dramatic evil.
He’s larger than life and can go from pouting and pissed off to violent and dangerous in an instant. He insults his underlings and kills at a whim. He’s absolutely a threat and Eternia fears him. It shows why Eternia needs He-Man, the only one who has the power to combat someone as dangerous as Skeletor. I especially like how Skeletor hints that he comes from the darkest regions in the universe, making him both a mystic and cosmic threat. Plus he and He-Man have an amazing fight!
Earth was in it. We’re only on Earth for like fifteen minutes, so don’t let that be a reason to keep you away. Yeah, when people weren’t bitching about Jared Leto, they were shitting the pants over the Earth scenes…myself included. Some people said they’d refuse to see the movie altogether due to it. I repeat, though, please don’t let that be a reason to keep you away. The Earth scenes aren’t awful. In fact, they’re used as a fun way to stick in some Easter eggs for eagle-eyed fans. Earth is also directly linked to Queen Marlena, who, yes, comes from there and decides it’s an ideal place to hide Prince Adam from Skeletor. So Earth is grounded in the lore, and who can deny how much fun it was to see Beastman rampaging across a crowded highway?
Overpopulation. People also thought there were too many characters. Somehow, despite the many characters filling out this cinematic universe, everyone is given fair screen time, with the exception of a few of them given greater character arcs such as Man-at-Arms. I especially love the early on conflict set up between him and Trapjaw. In a silly movie made about toys, it has a ton of heart and human soul played out in the drama of these characters. It dares to tackle subjects like using power over violence, getting up when you’ve been kicked down, and overcoming failures and loss. Many action films today lose these elements.
It’s a He-Man movie! Leading up to the release, I heard plenty of YouTubers saying this was going to be Teela’s movie and He-Man would be a side character. I think we have that Kevin Smith thing to thank for that, but rest assured, the focus is entirely on He-Man. About him learning to be the true hero and balance the hefty weight of Power laid on him.
It’s a fan film, but does it alienate newcomers?
One of my favorite things was taking my besties to go see it. Neither of them ever watched any of the shows or played with the toys growing up. There was no nostalgic pull for them, and the only link they had to this world was from seeing my MOTU collection scattered all over my home. They only went to support me; however, once the credits rolled, I heard them both shout, “I LOVED IT!” They related to the characters and followed along. As newcomers, they assumed they’d be lost the whole time but were pleasantly surprised by how much it pulled them in. Converts were made that day, and I walked out with my besties being MOTU fans.
That’s the power this movie has. All over online, you’ll find pictures of parents with their kids smiling ear-to-ear at the movie. People who grew up loving MOTU now get to share that bond with their own kids. This is a movie connecting generations of people, rekindling an old love and making people feel good. What’s wrong with that? A film about heroes and villains, a sword and sorcery film parents can take their kids to, and a movie best friends can bond over. It’s a love letter to fans, and I’m sure stuck-up critics won’t understand that, but hey, it’s for us.
Its cinematic future
Amazon claims the film is a win in their eyes already because they base success on fan reception, which means it’s already a win. Fans are eating this movie up and have gone to see it multiple times already; one guy says he’s seen it thirty times already. Not to mention the merchandise sales alone can make the company rich. I admit even I got pulled in to buying every popcorn bucket and specialty cup theaters had to offer. The only bucket I didn’t get (yet) is the Battle Cat one.
Amazon also says they’re measuring the film’s success by the upcoming streaming and Blu-ray/4K sales, which is proving another win, seeing that MOTU’s preorder sales are sitting at #1 on the site. They’re also watching to see how many fans tune in to Prime to watch the old cartoons. Both Filmation and the 200X shows are available, and there’s no better time to give in to the He-Mania than now and show Amazon we want more.
Let’s not forget that Travis Knight has gone on record to say there are still plenty of movies to make, with hopes of bringing She-Ra and Etheria into the cinematic universe. Plus, all those cool post-credit scenes hint at more story to cover. It’s an exciting time for fans.
He-Mania is on, and it feels like the ’80s have come full circle. He-Man is everywhere again. He’s on Denny’s menus, at the theater, and who’s ever gonna forget how they built Castle Grayskull at the Chinese Theater for the MOTU world premiere right there in Hollywood? A toy line made all of this happen. Not to mention that out-of-this-world drone show that lit up the night sky in preparation for this movie. I’m so glad to be alive and to have seen this all play out.
give it a watch!
People wonder why a generation never got over He-Man, but my answer is just watch the show. Read the comics. Watch this new movie. Get lost in the characters and lore. In every single variation and all across differing media, the main concepts are never lost. The visuals of good vs evil, that regular people can achieve wondrous things, and the power of friendship all solidify and make MOTU what it is, and, not only that, make us love it because it’s inspiring. These aren’t new concepts, and they’re found in so many epic tales and legends such as Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. They’re concepts that inspire generations of people, and He-Man has proven to do just that.
Going back to the Earth scenes, which in retrospect I argue are important, you can’t help but see the connection Adam shares with each one of us. Adam is stuck working a dead-end office job and bombarded by mundanity. From every angle, he’s being told he has to stop dreaming and just be normal. Live just like everyone else and be miserable all the while he’s dreaming of Eternia. He’s looking beyond the horizon of this dreary world, expecting something so much better.
Isn’t that what we each do? We have to live here where we pay bills, get dressed for work, and deal with stupid management. We’re forced to fit in, but fantasy, oh beautiful fantasy, allows us to look beyond the cubicle. It gives us a glimpse into worlds so much more beautiful, and even if severely dangerous, we still love it. We’re willing to trade in the safe world we know for faraway places where rings are magical, wizards go to school, and a sword gives a dork the Power of Grayskull!
He-Man is our generation’s King Arthur. He is our legend and a hero to look up to. He’s fundamentally good. When he’s not He-Man, he’s still a great guy. He is what we need in a time like today. He’s always stood out as a role model, and this new movie lets that shine. He has the big muscles, but it’s not about those; it’s about heart. He can punch a villain’s face off but would rather try to see the good in anyone. Some out there are just bad to the core, though, and Skeletor, we love you for that!
came home with me
I stood under a massive standee at a local theater and couldn’t believe it really. The characters I grew up loving stared back at me life-sized, and minutes before I went to watch the movie. There’s a little five-year-old in me that was losing his mind. He always knew these characters could come to life, and it finally happened. I know there was another movie, but nothing like this. Nothing to this degree.
I originally finished this review by saying my collection increased thanks to this movie, but that’s only a half-truth. It’s hokey, but I’ll say it anyway: my life’s increased now. People are connecting over this thing, and I’m encouraged by that. In an ugly world of endless arguments and online bitterness, it’s nice to see the anger lift and have people celebrating a hero. If you’re still on the fence and love He-Man, it’s time to go see it. It lives up to the hype and celebrates He-Man in a big way. This is a movie you want to see on the big screen and probably more than just once!
Plus, check this track out that’s actually in the movie. You’re welcome
Genuine excitement is a rare commodity these days. And by these days, I’m not simply referring to our daily dose of chaos because it stretches back further than any of us care to think about. No, for the purposes of this piece, let’s wind the clocks back to the summer of 2018.
Seventeen years after Joe Bob Briggs was ousted from TNT’s MonsterVision, a gift was bestowed upon Briggs disciples who’d never stopped missing the drive-in totals: Joe Bob was returning for a 24-hour horror extravaganza intended to be the Grapevine drive-in critic’s farewell to movie hosting. And the fervor felt by legions of Mutants was nothing short of electric.
“This is special, Joe Bob.” The T.V. cowboy (you heard that, didn’t you?) has since referred to Felissa Rose’s remarks from that initial marathon on numerous occasions. And for good reason. She was right.
Eight years on, what is most special can be whittled down to a single word: sustained.
To pull a Joe Bob, what is sustained? Something that is maintained at length without interrupting or weakening. And that, folks, is what made The Last Drive-In so special: that our excitement, from the anticipation of that first dusk-to-dawn marathon to the final regularly scheduled double feature, has been sustained.
Whether it was each week, each month, or each special, our giddiness never waned. We woke excited on Joe Bob Fridays, stocked up on snacks and libations after work in preparation, and shared that excitement on social media as we watched the “Joe Bob Begins” countdown tick toward blood, breasts, and beasts. And we have bookended server glitches to prove it.
The Last Drive-In gave us the most overqualified Mail Girl the drive-in has ever seen. It raised money for mental health, battered women, and more. It made “spry as fuck” part of our lexicon. And birthed an appreciation for Walpurgisnacht that borders on national holiday. It offered respite from the horrors of daily life and provided a community for those who didn’t feel seen. And so much more.
Our excitement and anticipation remained the same from that first night through the final night–last night.
And it will carry on to whatever’s next.
In the wake of Joe Bob’s somber social media post, he followed it up with a short video to answer our worried questions and emphatically stated “we ain’t done.”
So, whatever’s next, be it Shudder specials, another streaming service, or somewhere in between, we will be there because as I said following that first 13-movie marathon that we’d originally thought was the end–the drive-in, and our love for Joe Bob, will never die.
