BIONICLE: Mask of Light
From BIONICLEsector01
"But our happiness was not to last... for Mata Nui's brother, the Makuta, was jealous of these honors and betrayed him, casting a spell over Mata Nui, who fell into a deep slumber. The Makuta was free to unleash his shadows... and unleash them, he did..."
— Turaga Vakama
| BIONICLE: Mask of Light | |
| |
| Movie | |
| Director | David Molina, Terry Shakespeare |
| Producer | Conny Kalcher |
| Writer | Henry Gilroy, Tracy Berna, Bob Thompson |
| Starring | Christopher Gaze, Michael Dobson, Paul Dobson |
| Distributor | Miramax Films, Buena Vista Home Entertainment |
| Released | 2003 |
| Runtime | 72 Minutes |
| IMDb Page | |
Mask of Light is the first of the BIONICLE movies as well as the first LEGO movie overall. It tells the second-half of the 2003 story.
Contents |
Plot
The movie starts with Turaga Vakama telling the Legend of Mata Nui. Then it shows Jaller in Ta-Wahi, searching for Takua, who has disappeared shortly before the upcoming Kolhii game. He finds Takua crossing a river of lava, along with Pewku. While Jaller waits impatiently, Takua finds a totem on the other side of the river, and removes it from its pedestal. This triggers a trap, the ground begins to shake, and Takua drops the totem into the lava. A shining Great Kanohi then rises to the surface of the lava. Takua tosses it to Jaller, takes out his Lavaboard, and begins to surf across the stream. Before Takua can go back across to meet Jaller, however, a huge wave of lava appears. Thankfully, Tahu soon arrives and saves Takua from certain death. They surf over the edge of the falls, and then, with Takua on his back, Tahu makes his way back up to where Jaller is, who believed that Takua was dead. The Ta-Matoran is delighted at Takua's reappearance, and after Tahu briefly studies the golden Mask, he rushes the Matoran to the Championship of the Kolhii Tournament, the mask stowed in Jaller's bag.
Watched by the Matoran, Toa and Turaga of Po-Koro, Ga-Koro and Ta-Koro, a tough game ensues, in which Takua tries his new move and fails miserably, with the ball nearly hitting the Turaga. The game ends with the Ga-Matoran, Hahli and Macku, gaining victory. The Mask is revealed to the whole stadium, shining on Takua to show he is the Herald. However, Takua discreetly shifts it to shine on Jaller, while the Turaga look on with awe and amazement at the mask.
Later, using her Kanohi Rau, Turaga Nokama translates the inscription behind the Mask. It is the Mask of Light, the Kanohi Avohkii. It is destined to be worn by only the Seventh Toa, a Toa of Light, who, it is said, will free the island of Makuta's shadow once and for all. Unlike the other six Toa, this Toa would not just wash ashore, he would have to be found. Since the Kanohi Avohkii shone all its light on Jaller, he is designated as the Herald of the Seventh Toa, and is charged with the duty of searching for the Toa of Light. However, Takua is sent along as the Chronicler. After the announcement, three of the Toa who went to Ta-Koro to watch the Championship, Tahu, Gali and Pohatu, part ways. Gali goes to Kini-Nui, and spots a seventh Spirit Star in the sky, representing the coming of the Seventh Toa.
While Gali observes the magnificent discovery, Teridax, hidden in the shadows of his lair, watches the star with fear. With the coming of the Toa of Light, his reign over Mata Nui is soon to be ended. In fear of this, he releases the best of his minions, his very essence, the Rahkshi, for one last stand for control over the island. Guurahk, Lerahk and Panrahk are the first to be released, Teridax hoping that they will destroy the Matoran's values and retrieve the Herald of the Seventh Toa, stopping the arrival of the powerful Toa of Light.
After a word of farewell to Jaller and Takua, Vakama warns them of the dangers of Makuta and to stay in the light. As the Herald of the Seventh Toa leaves Ta-Koro with the Mask of Light, guided by it, the three Rahkshi reach the surface of Mata Nui, bursting abruptly out of Mangaia through the Kini Nui. After a short fight, both Gali and the Rahkshi make their way to Ta-Koro, in their search for the Mask of Light. Gali arrives before the Rahkshi, and is able to warn the Koro about the danger to come. After easily defeating the Toa and their villagers, Ta-Koro is completely destroyed by the Rahkshi, and sinks beneath the lake of fire. Thankfully, all the villagers have been evacuated, and the Toa are safe with only Tahu having a scar from the Poison of Lerahk's Staff, whose poison is slowly progressing and spreading.
Meanwhile, riding on Pewku, the two Matoran make their way to Le-Koro in search of the Seventh Toa. As they wander into the jungles of Le-Wahi, they encounter Graalok the Ash Bear, who tries to fend them away, thinking of them as intruders. In the nick of time, Lewa appears, entangling the Ash Bear in vines. He then later sets her free, telling the Matoran that she was just scared. To aid them in their journey, Lewa provides the two Matoran with a Gukko bird, leading them in flight towards Ko-Koro, where the Mask's light shines towards. Pewku is left behind, unable to board the Gukko.
On the top of a high glacier above Le-Koro, Jaller and Takua land and are forced to separate from Lewa, who decides that it is his duty to go back to Ta-Koro, which was invaded, and aid his brothers, having been told of the destruction of Ta-Koro by a message sent through the drums of Le-Koro. The two Matoran fight against the icy winds of Ko-Wahi, bumping into frozen Bohrok. Apparently, Kopaka froze them, and the two Matoran were unintentionally following him. With Kopaka leading the way, the Matoran travel towards Ko-Koro.
On the other side of the island, Lewa has just arrived in Ta-Wahi, too late to help fend against the invasion of the Rahkshi. When Gali attempts to encourage them to stay together, Tahu promptly walks away, ignoring the infecting scar on his mask.
Upon reaching Ko-Koro, Kopaka uses his Akaku Nuva to probe the village, spotting the three Rahkshi that originally attacked Ta-Koro. Passing the Matoran his Ice Shield, he tells them to leave, while he stays to fight against the Rahkshi. After blocking a hit from Panrahk, Kopaka jumps down a cliff, using his Ice Blades as power skates, and catches up with Takua and Jaller. After receiving another hit, Kopaka is knocked out, and the two Matoran fall off the shield. Takua attempts to escape with the Mask across a lake, to lure the Rahkshi away from Jaller. Just as the Rahkshi are about to take the mask, Kopaka comes to and shoots a dart of ice, causing the "Sons of Teridax" to plunge into the river, and he promptly freezes the entire lake. Kopaka retrieves his tools, speaks to the Matoran for a short while, and leaves without saying anything else. Climbing onto Pewku, who had just arrived, the Matoran continue their journey.
After reaching the Onu-Koro Highway, Takua and Jaller go into the darkness, following the Mask wherever it leads. After toying about with some plants, Takua is separated from Jaller and Pewku, and comes face to face with Teridax, who is manifested through the shadows. Teridax attempts to persuade Takua to hand over the Mask, offering to spare the Matoran and the other villages. Makuta taunts Takua, saying that he will never find the Seventh Toa and that Jaller will die. Takua refuses to betray his fellow villagers and runs away, but, scared, he also refuses to continue following Jaller to search for the Seventh Toa, leaving Jaller to search alone, as Takua leaves with Pewku.
In the shadows of Mangaia, Teridax releases three more Rahkshi: Vorahk, whose Hunger he hopes would consume the Matoran's Duty, Kurahk, whose Anger he hopes would destroy their Unity, and Turahk, whose Fear he hopes would keep them from their Destiny.
Takua finds his own way to Onu-Koro, meeting Onua and Pohatu, who are currently announcing the discovery of the Kanohi Avohkii and the Herald of the Seventh Toa being on a journey to find the Toa of Light to the Onu-Matoran. After the Toa see Takua, and question as to why he is not with Jaller, Takua explains that they were separated after encountering Rahkshi. Having received no news from Ta-Koro, the Toa have no idea what Rahkshi are. Just then, the three new Rahkshi arrive, bursting out of the walls of Onu-Koro. Takua recognizes them and notices them as being different from the original ones he faced in Ko-Koro. Onua promptly unleashes an earthquake, burying the Rahkshi under piles of earth. The beings escape their prison of earth quickly, and Vorahk jumps towards Onua, challenging his strength. Onua is quickly overpowered; his energy lost to the Rahkshi, and Pohatu is struck with fear while trying to aid his brother.
Among the fleeing Matoran, Takua bravely rides forward, attacking Kurahk with his Kolhii Stick. He is easily beaten, and Tahu, who arrives to help, steps forward to defend the Chronicler. Tahu is struck with anger from Kurahk, and begins fighting against Gali when she tries to help him. Lewa, amidst all the chaos, flies Takua out of the battle scene, telling him to go and warn Jaller. Tahu, being washed with water from Gali, is frozen by Kopaka, and brought out of Onu-Koro. As all this happens, Pohatu hurls his Climbing Claws at Turahk while it climbs a wall searching for Takua, who rides away on Pewku, and Onua accidentally brings the entire ceiling down on both the two Toa and the remaining Rahkshi. Onu-Koro is destroyed.
At another part of the island, Tahu is laid upon a stone, anger and poison destroying him. Gali instructs Lewa and Kopaka to cross their blades, in an effort to heal Tahu. To complete the healing process, Gali creates a bubble of water, which surrounds Tahu and sinks beneath his armor, cleansing him of the poison that was infecting him. After exhausting so much power, Gali collapses, and Kopaka brings her to a lake to rejuvenate. There, Gali ponders aloud upon whether the Turaga were right, and the Toa were losing their unity. She asks Kopaka, but the Toa of Ice has already left, unnoticed.
Takua, having picked up Jaller from a cliff, follows the Mask's direction to Kini Nui. Takua impatiently shakes the mask which shoots a laser out, partly destroying a statue and partially showing something behind it. At that moment, all six Rahkshi ambush them. After retreating towards the Amaja Circle, they are pleasantly surprised by the arrival of the six united Toa Nuva, who spring up around the two Matoran. (Kopaka, apparently, saved Onua and Pohatu from the collapsed ceiling.) United, the Toa are protected under a shield from Tahu's Hau Nuva, unharmed by the Rahkshi's combined power. After a short battle, the Toa seemingly defeat all the Rahkshi: Lewa and Tahu trap Guurahk, Panrahk and Lerahk in glass; Vorahk and Kurahk are frozen after being showered with Lava.
However, one Rahkshi remains. Turahk walks to Jaller and Takua, attempting to complete their mission. Striking Takua, the true herald, with fear, Turahk nearly kills him with one swing of its Staff. Seeing this, Jaller grabs onto Turahk's staff in an attempt to stop the Rahkshi from killing Takua. He is continuously stricken with fear, far too much to handle. Turahk merely swings the weakened Jaller off its Staff. The Toa Nuva then temporarily subdue the Rahkshi.
Takua hurries to aid his best friend, who is already dying. With his last breath, Jaller passes the Mask to Takua, and tells him, “You know who you are”.
Takua, burning with determination and vengeance for his friend, dons the Kanohi Avohkii, and transforms into much more powerful form. He is no longer Takua, but Takanuva, Toa of Light. With a display of power, Takanuva shoots a beam of light that stuns Turahk and defeats him, and he then fires a laser, which completely reveals a carving of Takua's mask under the stone statue in Kini Nui. He then picks up Jaller's body and silently leaves.
After a short talk with Vakama, Takanuva and the other Toa assemble the Ussanui, which will lead Takanuva to Teridax. After telling the Toa Nuva that it is not their destiny to destroy Teridax but his, Takanuva leaves on the Ussanui for Mangaia. Hahli secretly stows away in the Ussanui, later offering to be Takanuva's chronicler.
As Takanuva enters Teridax's lair, he tells Hahli to summon all the Turaga, Toa and Matoran, stating that Mata Nui would be awakened that day. The Turaga ponder for a while, thinking that they may not return, but go to Mangaia in the end after being convinced by an inspiring speech by Hahli.
Led to Teridax by a Kraata, Takanuva is challenged by Teridax to a “simple game of Kolhii”, taunted by the death of Jaller. If he wins, he can “try to open the gate”. If not, Teridax would keep the Mask of Light. The game begins, with the two titans hurling spheres of Light and Shadow energy against each other. In the middle of the game, the inhabitants of Mata Nui arrive, to “see Takanuva fail”, as Teridax puts it. Teridax then brings down the ceiling behind the Matoran, Turaga and Toa Nuva, preventing them from ever returning to the surface. Angered, Takanuva jumps towards Teridax, towards the shadow sphere Teridax hurls. In a stunning move, Takanuva throws the sphere right back at Teridax, hitting him head-on at a great speed, incidentally using the move which previously failed in the Kolhii Tournament.
Takanuva walks towards Teridax, only to find that he received little damage from the “game”. Takanuva again attempts to defeat Teridax, this time by removing his Kanohi Kraahkan. As a result, both entities fall into a Protodermis pool, and are fused together by its energies, creating Takutanuva.
With Light and Shadow merged, the massive stone door which blocked the way to Metru Nui is lifted in a show of strength by Takutanuva, and the present Matoran, Toa and Turaga pass through. As Hahli passes by with Jaller's mask, Takutanuva stops her and Jaller is revived with part of Teridax's life force. With so much energy lost, Takutanuva is unable to keep the door open, and it crashes down on him. The Mask of light slides out from the door, signifying that Takanuva died.
As Vakama tries to awaken Mata Nui, Jaller is placed onto a portion of the stone floor with the symbol representing Duty, Hahli on Unity, and the Mask of Light on Destiny. Takanuva is somehow revived when this happens, suddenly reappearing, to Jaller's surprised joy.
At the end, Takanuva uses his power of light and reveals the long-forgotten island of Metru Nui.
Bonus Features
The movie also contained several bonus features. They included the Mata Nui Explorer, along with deleted scenes, commentaries, interviews, and advertisements of the movie.
Characters
- Takua/Takanuva
- Jaller
- Toa Nuva
- Teridax
- Takutanuva
- Rahkshi: Turahk, Kurahk, Lerahk, Panrahk, Vorahk, Guurahk
- Hahli
- Hewkii
- Vakama
- Nokama
- Onewa
- Pewku
- Bohrok
- Hafu
- Macku
- Ka
- Graalok
Cast
| Actor | Role(s) |
|---|---|
| Christopher Gaze | Vakama |
| Jason Micheas | Takua/Takanuva |
| Michael Dobson | Kopaka/Hewkii |
| Trevor Devall | Pohatu |
| Scott McNeil | Onua/Tahu |
| Kathleen Barr | Gali |
| Andrew Francis | Jaller |
| Dale Wilson | Onewa/Lewa |
| Lesley Ewan | Nokama |
| Chiara Zanni | Hahli |
| Lee Tockar | Teridax/Pewku |
Awards
- The film won the 2003 DVDX Award for Best Visual Effects in a DVD Premiere Movie.
- It also won the 2004 Saturn Award for Best DVD Release.
- In 2004 the film won the Golden Reel Award for Best Sound Editing in Direct to Video.
Trivia
- The movie was translated into 26 different languages for sale in global markets.
- All the background Matoran seen in the movie only wear five types of masks: Komau, Kakama, Ruru, Rau, and Huna. The Hau, Kaukau, and Pakari are exclusive to Jaller, Hahli, and Takua, respectively.
- A special version of the movie was broadcasted in Australia on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Television and Cartoon Network prior to the release of BIONICLE 2: Legends of Metru Nui. The version featured an extended ending in which Vakama described the city of Metru Nui and clips from the second movie were shown.
- At the end of the credits, a small message in Matoran symbols can be seen. It translates as "No Rahi were harmed during the making of this film." This is a reference to when Jaller is about to kill Graalok the Ash Bear, but Lewa stops him. It is also a reference to similar disclaimers in live-action movies in which animals appear in potentially harmful situations.
See Also
- Gallery:BIONICLE: Mask of Light
- Comic 14: At Last -- Takanuva!
- BIONICLE: Mask of Light (Book)
- BIONICLE: Unmasked
- The Legend Continues
- Mask of Light Promo Animation
- BIONICLE: Mask of Light (Game)
- Mask of Light Production Journal
- Saga Guide - The Mask of Light
- Timeline - The Mask of Light
External Links
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