Bionicle 3: Web of Shadows

Bionicle 3: Web of Shadows
Directed by	David Molina, Terry Shakespeare
Written by	Henry Gilroy, Brett Matthews, Bob Thompson
Produced by	Morten Melbye Andersen
Starring	Christopher Gaze, Trevor Devall, Paul Dobson
Music by	Nathan Furst
Distributed by	Miramax Films,Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Release dates	October 11, 2005
Language	English

Bionicle 3: Web of Shadows is the Annie Award-nominated (http://annieawards.org/33rdwinners.html) third Bionicle movie installment. It is also the 2nd movie in the Bionicle timeline, as of 2005. The visuals are completely computer-generated. The events of the movie take place after the film Bionicle 2: Legends of Metru Nui. It tells the tale of the Toa Metru returning to Metru Nui after safely taking to Mata Nui the Matoran they rescued at the end of the second movie. The end of Bionicle 2 is basically the beginning & end of Web of shadows

Plot

The movie begins with us seeing the red protodermis prison of the Makuta. Suddenly, the cold female voice of Roodaka calls his name and a talon scratched the prison and a small single shard fell off and landed in a sand circle with other colored lightstones. Vakama comes in telling the tale of the Toa Metru, who sealed the evil Makuta and vowed to save the sleeping Matoran. But the task would not be easy. Makuta had called out to his legions, lead by a vicious king and a malevolent queen.

The Toa Metru return to Metru Nui to rescue the Matoran trapped beneath the Colosseum. The Toa's ship, the Lhikan II, crashes into the protodermis ocean. They survive and arrive at Metru Nui; however, the Toa follow Vakama's orders into a trap when Visorak spinners attack the Toa, who then crash onto the floor. Later, another Keelarak heads to the Colosseum to report to Sidorak. The king of the horde orders the Toa killed. As the Keelarak went to carry out the order, it was stopped by the evil Roodaka, viceroy of hordes. Roodaka pursuaded Sidorak to experiment on the Toa and bring her proof -- their bodies. As the Toa hung above in their cocoons, Matau blames Vakama for leading them into a trap. As they hang, mysterious transformations take place in the Toa, who fall from their high altitude. Luckily, they are saved by the six beings who later introduced themselves as Rahaga.

But now, they are no longer Toa Metru, but bestial beings known as Toa Hordika. As Hordika, they cannot use their Mask Powers (Invisibility, Translation, Telekinesis, Control, Shape-shifting, Night Vision), and they are much more susceptible to passion. Their only hope of changing back lies in the ancient hermit-like rahi Keetongu, whom no one has seen for millennia. Vakama, angry for leading his friends into a trap, storms off; thinking that he can save the Matoran alone but unfortunately is captured by the Visorak Boggarak. He later wakes up in the Colosseum observation tower and starts roaring like a Rahi beast. He is then persuaded by Roodaka to accept a certain idea; if he leads the hordes, he can rule Metru Nui. Accepting her offer, Vakama turns to darkness and lets his Hordika side come to the fold. He captures five of the six Rahaga, except Norik, and destroys much of the Great Temple so no one has a chance of finding Keetongu.

Thankfully, the Rahaga managed to translate some of Temple's inscription. It read; 'Follow falling tears to Ko-Metru, until they reach the sky.' The answer was liquid protodermis coming out of the Great Temple. So the five Toa Hordika and Norik follow the stream to Ko-Metru and found that the "tears" DO touch the sky via upwards chute. Meanwhile, Vakama is made master of the Visorak hordes and prepares to capture the Toa so they could be "trained" just like him. The Toa and Norik discover Keetongu and request his help. He refuses, speaking in language that only Norik can understand. According to Norik, "Keetongu could not start a battle on your behalf, but he could aid those loyal to the three virtues. Those like Toa. And doing so is his sworn duty." When Matau asks to be changed back, Keetongu says: "No." Norik explains by saying that in order to rescue Vakama and the Matoran, they must learn to live and fight as Hordika. Matau exclaims, "We came all this way, JUST TO FIND OUT WE DIDN'T HAVE TO COME ALL THIS WAY!" Keetongu finds it funny. However, devotion to Vakama has touched the Rahi and he joins them in their fight.

Later, at the Coliseum, the final battle for Metru Nui begins. While the Toa kept the Visorak busy, Matau would take care of Vakama and Keetongu would take care of Roodaka and Sidorak. Matau did the best he could to convince to Vakama to come back to the light. Meanwhile, Keetongu was avoiding Sidorak's shots while climbing the Coliseum wall, but was hit by Roodaka. The two leaders of the Visorak went down to check on the "great" Rahi. Matau was nearly thrown off of the Coliseum observation deck when he spoke some words that convinced Vakama that his place was with his Toa kin. Keetongu was weak, but still alive and crushed Sidorak while Roodaka watched. Roodaka, in contradiction of her emotional intercourse with Sidorak, cares nothing for her partner.

Matau was about to die when Vakama saved him. Norik freed his fellow Rahaga and joined the Toa. Roodaka, riding atop a Kahgarak, demanded the Toa give her their elemental powers. When the five Toa fire their spinner-weapons, it fails to defeat her. But Vakama had the last blow. Roodaka warned him all the assembled Visorak will destroy him and his friends if she's struck down. He tells every assembled Visorak that they are free from Roodaka's power, backing his claim with the power Sidorak had given him as commander of the hordes. Roodaka has no minions and when Vakama fired his shot, it made contact with the red stone in her breastplate. As Roodaka's body falls a crimson hand encloses her and teleports her away, leaving behind the stone that was on her breastplate which is now gray. Vakama realizes that the stone was Makuta's, carved from the same protodermis that they sealed him in. By giving the last bit of elemental energy, he sets Makuta free.

The Toa then approach Keetongu, wishing him to change them back to their own shapes. Keetongu is at first reluctant; being Hordika places them at peace with their "beast within", which is symbolic of passion and desire. From a utilitarian perspective, they are better off. But Vakama, inspired by Matau, declares that it is their destiny to be Toa. Keetongu agrees and raises his arms, with the Toa Hordika in a circle around him linking arms. Suddenly, a bright light is seen coming from Keetongu. The scene changes, showing the Toa, once again Toa Metru, readying a fleet of airships which will take them to their new home of Mata Nui, named after the Great Spirit. Finally they left, after a lengthly farewell to Keetongu and Norik. Vakama felt he might miss the Rahaga and Keetongu. As they near the Great Barrier, Onewa notices Makuta had really been freed. Vakama knew Toa would always defeat him. And the movie's end, Vakama (now a Turaga), who has been narrating the story, picks up six lightstones and follows Takanuva, Jaller and Hahli to the light.

Production

Nathan Furst composed the music for the movie, and Director David Molina said that watching the movie with the music was an "amazing experience", making the story "suddenly alive and emotional".

Reception

The computer-generated effects were praised by some critics, stating that they could be appreciated even though the film was geared toward teenagers and young people. The DVD release was noted for its good quality audio and video but meager extras.

Bionicle was nominated for the Golden Reel Award for Best Sound Editing in Direct to Video -Motion Pictures Sound Editors Annie Award for Best Home Entertainment Production.

Cast and characters

• Alessandro Juliani as Toa Vakama
• Tabitha St. Germain as Toa Nokama
• Kathleen Barr as Roodaka/Rahaga Gaaki
• Christopher Gaze as Turaga Vakama
• Trevor Devall as Toa Nuju and Rahaga Iruini
• Brian Drummond as Toa Matau/Toa Onewa
• French Tickner as Rahaga Norik
• Paul Dobson as Sidorak/Toa Whenua
• Scott McNeil as Rahaga Bomonga and Keetongu

External links

• The Official Website
• IMDB Entry for Bionicle 3: Web of Shadows
• Teaser Trailer