"Castle Grayskull" A weekend full of flashbacks
8.4.2020
Translation: machine translated
Anyone who is familiar with "Masters of the Universe" will also know "Castle Grayskull". The fortress on the planet Eternia. In 3508 parts, it also comes to you in your mancave.
Castle Grayskull is the base of He-Man and his comrades-in-arms, the Masters of the Universe. They defend Eternia and the good against Skeletor and his henchmen. In the 80s, they were the ultimate in action figures. I wasn't born until a few years later, but I remember the animated series like it was yesterday. Fancy a flashback?
Castle Grayskull, the centre of Eternian culture and the repository of all knowledge in the universe, has even made it to the big screen. With Dolph Lundgren as He-Man and Frank Langella as Skeletor. By the way: a new film version will be released on 4 March 2021. I'm already eagerly awaiting it. As a reminder: this is what the original film looked like:
Gorgeous!
So, now to the reason why you're actually here: the kit from Mega Construx.
Get to work on the kit
I was impressed at first glance not only by the sheer size of the packaging (60cm × 35cm × 20cm), but also by the elaborately illustrated artwork. The box is a work of art. I already love it. On each page you'll find scenarios from the action figure series and their characters at Castle Grayskull. The four cardboard boxes included are also vividly printed. They contain over 50 plastic bags with 3508 individual parts, which you can use to build the fortress and six action figures. He-Man, The Goddess, Sorceress, Man-At-Arms, Skeletor and Beast Man.
A large box with many individual parts also includes a large construction manual. Just as much love has been put into its design. Not only are the individual building steps clearly explained, but the page layout and illustrations are also impressive.
The instructions are divided into sub-steps that can be gradually combined to form the castle. I particularly like the small details in the walls or the wooden roof. Although these sections are extremely time-consuming and anything but pleasant on the fingers, their appearance makes up for everything.
Like the Castle Grayskull released by Mattel back in 1982, the new version from Mega Construx can be opened up. Inside the fortress there are many details such as a working passenger lift or the throne room with trapdoor into the catacombs. The castle gate can be opened from the outside using He-Man's Sword of Power. If Skeletor or other uninvited guests appear and want to take over the fortress, it has defence systems at its disposal. In addition to the two towers with embrasures, there is a Gatling gun on the left-hand side. You'd better not mess with that.
Conclusion
What a weekend! It took me two days to put the Castle Grayskull together. Of course, I could have spread it out over several evenings during the week. But that didn't suit me. On the one hand, I had nothing better planned for the weekend and on the other hand, I almost fell into a meditative state and forgot all sense of time and space around me. The Castle really is a great kit and I can highly recommend it to any Masters of the Universe fan. Admittedly, the price of this set is not exactly cheap. But you get much more than just a building set. You get a good portion of childhood memories back and feel like you used to when the following words came out of the television: "By the power of Grayskull. I HAVE THE POWER!"
Riding my motorbike makes me feel free, fishing brings out my inner hunter, using my camera gets me creative. I make my money messing around with toys all day.
