Sheman: Mistress of the Universe

Sheman: Mistress of the Universe is a 1988 Filipino fantasy adventure comedy film directed by Tony Reyes and starring Joey de Leon as the titular character, alongside Panchito, Ruffa Gutierrez, Dennis Da Silva, Erik Cayetano, Mylene Gonzales, Paquito Diaz, Ruel Vernal, Timmy Cruz, Palito, and Rene Requiestas. It parodies both the film Masters of the Universe and the character Panday as portrayed by Fernando Poe Jr.

Sheman: Mistress of the Universe
Film poster
Directed byTony Reyes
Written by
Produced byJoey de Leon
StarringJoey de Leon
CinematographyRody Lacap
Edited byIke Jarlego Jr.
Music byJaime Fabregas
Production
company
Release date
  • September 7, 1988 (1988-09-07)
Running time
102 minutes[1]
CountryPhilippines
LanguageFilipino

In the film, a male blacksmith gains the power to transform into an effeminate superhero dressed in drag.

Produced by Viva Films, the film was released on September 7, 1988. Critic Lav Diaz gave it a mixed review, praising De Leon's parody of Panday early in the film but expressed disappointment in the lessened comedic quality of later scenes involving Sheman.

Plot

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Pando is a provincial blacksmith who rescues a gay hermit. The hermit reveals himself to be a refugee from the Kingdom of Gayskull, which has been usurped by Kiss Manay, who in turn has sent goons into Pando's town to abduct children. To rescue the children and take back Gayskull, the hermit gives Pando the power to transform into Sheman, an effeminate superhero in drag with superhuman abilities and magic weapons.

They storm Gayskull, defeat Kiss Manay and rescue the children, after which the Kingdom is transformed back into its original form and the hermit reverts to his former role as prince.

Cast

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Fernando Poe Jr. has an uncredited cameo appearance in the film.[2]

Production

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Sheman is actress Timmy Cruz's first film.[3]

Release

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Sheman was released on September 7, 1988.[4][5]

Critical response

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Lav Diaz, writing for the Manila Standard, gave the film a mixed review. Though he praised the early comedic scenes of De Leon parodying Panday (as portrayed by Fernando Poe Jr.) through his blacksmith character Pando, Diaz considered the comedic quality to drop as the film progressed and began to involve Sheman, stating that it then creates an "anti-climactic feeling by the end of the film".[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "She-Man: Mistress of the Universe". iWantTFC. ABS-CBN Corporation. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Diaz, Lav (September 16, 1988). "Rambol ng mga bakla". Manila Standard. Manila Standard News, Inc. p. 15. Retrieved January 29, 2021. Masyadong nasapawan ng pag-i-FPJ niya ang anumang pakulong idinagdag. Kaya't tipong anti-climactic ang pandama sa pagwawakas ng pelikula.
  3. ^ Mendoza, Meg (September 9, 1988). "Regal's favorite baby". Manila Standard. Manila Standard News, Inc. p. 15. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  4. ^ "Movie Guide". Manila Standard. Manila Standard News, Inc. September 7, 1988. p. 15. Retrieved February 12, 2021. AVENUE......................She-Man
  5. ^ "Movie Guide". Manila Standard. Manila Standard News, Inc. September 6, 1988. p. 16. Retrieved February 12, 2021. AVENUE.............Ompong Galapong
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