Bionicle (film series)

Bionicle films
The logo variant used for the last entry in the series, Bionicle: The Legend Reborn (2009)
Directed by	Terry Shakespeare David Molina (2003–2005) Mark Baldo (2009)
Based on	Bionicle by The Lego Group
Music by	Nathan Furst (2003–2005) John D'Andrea (2009)
Distributed by	Buena Vista Home Entertainment (2003–2005) Universal Studios Home Entertainment (2009)
Release date	2003–2005; 2009
Countries	Denmark United States
Language	English
Budget	$8.5 million – $10 million (first two films only)

Bionicle is a series of direct-to-video animated science fantasy action films based on the Bionicle toyline from Lego.

In total, four films have been released. The first three from Miramax serve as the original trilogy, while Universal's Bionicle: The Legend Reborn served as a soft-reboot. The fourth film takes place on a different planet with new characters, which was intended to start a new saga of films in the series, but sequels were ultimately scrapped following Bionicle's cancellation in 2010.

Films

Film	U.S. release date	Director	Screenwriter(s)	Producer(s)
Original trilogy
Bionicle: Mask of Light	September 16, 2003 (2003-09-16)	Terry Shakespeare and David Molina	Alastair Swinnerton, Henry Gilroy and Greg Weisman	Sue Shakespeare, Janice Ross and Stig Blicher
Bionicle 2: Legends of Metru Nui	October 19, 2004 (2004-10-19)		Henry Gilroy, Greg Klein, Tom Pugsley and Elliot Gabrel	Sue Shakespeare
Bionicle 3: Web of Shadows	October 11, 2005 (2005-10-11)		Brett Matthews	Sue Shakespeare and Bob Thompson
Stand-alone film
Bionicle: The Legend Reborn	September 15, 2009 (2009-09-15)	Mark Baldo	Sean Catherine Derek and Greg Farshtey (story)	Kristy Scanlan and Joshua Wexler

Original trilogy

Bionicle: Mask of Light (2003)

The first film began production in 2002, with production being completed in 13 months. The film was co-directed by Terry Shakespeare and David Molina of Creative Capers Entertainment with Bionicle co-creator Alastair Swinnerton, Henry Gilroy and Greg Weisman serving as writers. Sue Shakespeare, Janice Ross and Stig Blicher served as producers. It was the only film in the series to be written by Greg Weisman, who was fired during production for "yawning".

Bionicle 2: Legends of Metru Nui (2004)

Originally intended for a theatrical release, production on the second film was completed in 12 months, one month shorter than the first feature. The film was co-directed by Terry Shakespeare and David Molina of Creative Capers Entertainment with Henry Gilroy, Greg Klein, Tom Pugsley and Elliot Gabrel serving as screenwriters, with a story by Bob Thompson and Henry Gilroy. Sue Shakespeare served as producer.

Bionicle 3: Web of Shadows (2005)

Also originally intended for a theatrical release, the film was co-directed by Terry Shakespeare and David Molina of Creative Capers Entertainment with Brett Matthews serving as screenwriter, with a story by Bob Thompson, Henry Gilroy and Greg Farshtey. Sue Shakespeare and Bob Thompson served as producers.

Stand-alone film

Bionicle: The Legend Reborn (2009)

The film was directed by Mark Baldo with Sean Catherine Derek serving as writer, with a story by Greg Farshtey. Kristy Scanlan and Joshua Wexler served as producers.

Music

See also: Music of the Bionicle film series

The first three films were composed by Nathan Furst, while John D'Andrea composed the fourth film. Mask of Light, Legends of Metru Nui and Web of Shadows had their soundtracks released on March 10, December 12, and December 22, 2017, respectively by Rising Phoenix Records, although The Legend Reborn's soundtrack has yet to be released.

Characters

• A dark grey cell indicates the character did not appear in that film.
• A ^M indicates a character in the form of a Matoran.
• A ^T indicates a character in the form of a Toa.
• A ^Tu indicates a character in the form of a Turaga.

Character	Original trilogy			Stand-alone film
	Bionicle: Mask of Light	Bionicle 2: Legends of Metru Nui	Bionicle 3: Web of Shadows	Bionicle: The Legend Reborn
Primary cast
Jaller	Andrew FrancisM	Appeared
Takua/Takanuva	Jason MichasM T
Tahu	Scott McNeilT
Vakama	Christopher GazeTu	Alessandro JulianiM T Christopher GazeTu
Onewa	Dale WilsonTu	Brian DrummondM T
Nokama	Lesley EwenTu	Tabitha St. GermainM T
Gali	Kathleen Barr
Pohatu	Trevor Devall
Hahli	Chiara Zanni	Appeared
Makuta	Lee Tockar		Appeared
Lewa	Dale Wilson
Kopaka	Michael Dobson
Onua	Scott McNeil
Matau	AppearedTu	Brian DrummondM T
Whenua		Paul DobsonM
Nuju		Trevor DevallY
Lhikan		Michael DobsonT
Krekka		Michael Dobson
Nidhiki		Paul Dobson
Dume		Gerard Plunkett
Sidorak			Paul Dobson
Roodaka			Kathleen Barr
Norik			French Tickner
Keetongu			Scott McNeil
Mata Nui				Michael Dorn
Metus				David Leisure
Raanu				Armin Shimerman
Strakk				Jeff Bennett
Ackar				Jim Cummings
Kiina				Marla Sokoloff
Tuma				Fred Tatasciore
Gresh				Mark Famiglietti
Berix				James Arnold Taylor
Vastus				James Arnold Taylor
Tarix				Jeff Bennett
Supporting cast
Kolhii Announcer	Doc Harris
Hewkii	Michael Dobson
Rahkshi	Julian B. Wilson
Ta-Matoran Guard	Julian B. Wilson
Kongu		Lee Tockar
Bomonga			Scott McNeil
Gaaki			Kathleen Barr
Iruini			Trevor Devall
Vorox				Dee Bradley Baker
Bone Hunters				Dee Bradley Baker
Skrall				Dee Bradley Baker
Villagers				Mark Baldo

Release

The first film, Bionicle: Mask of Light, had its world premiere at Legoland in Carlsbad, California on September 13, 2003, and was released in the United States three days after the premiere, on VHS and DVD by Buena Vista Home Entertainment under the Miramax Home Entertainment label.

The second film, Bionicle 2: Legends of Metru Nui, had its world premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California on October 6, 2004, and was released in the United States on October 19, on VHS and DVD by Buena Vista Home Entertainment under the Miramax Home Entertainment label.

The third film, Bionicle 3: Web of Shadows, was released in the United States on October 11, 2005, on DVD by Buena Vista Home Entertainment under the Miramax Home Entertainment label.

A fourth stand-alone film, Bionicle: The Legend Reborn, had its world premiere at Legoland in Carlsbad, California on August 29, 2009, and was released in the United States on September 15, on DVD by Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

Promotion

Cartoon Network's anime block, Toonami, hosted a sweepstakes contest for the television premiere of the first film, Bionicle: Mask of Light. Viewers could call-in the channel's number to have a chance to win prizes that included miscellaneous Bionicle sets, one Magnavox 36” TV, one Magnavox Progressive Scan DVD player, as well as the addition of one lucky winner receiving a Platinum Avohkii mask. For the film, fast food chain Burger King also released a set of Kids Meal toys in the United Kingdom. Later, Cartoon Network would host another sweepstakes contest on the Miguzi block, for the television premiere of the third film, Bionicle 3: Web of Shadows, where viewers could yet again call-in the channel's number and have the chance to win miscellaneous Bionicle sets as well as one lucky winner receiving a life-size Visorak Keelerak statue made out of Lego pieces. Scholastic, one of the biggest publishing corporations in the world, also released books made to tie-in with the films from the original trilogy.

Reception

Critical response

The first installment, Bionicle: Mask of Light, received generally positive reviews from journalists upon its release, but in retrospect, has been criticized for its dated visuals. Matthew Attanasio of Comic Book Resources noted that the animation held up but stating for character animations that they are "hit or miss". He also said that the story was "pretty straightforward" while also stating that Takua and Jaller made "great protagonists", but was disappointed to see the Toa, mainly Onua, have little screen time.

The second installment, Bionicle 2: Legends of Metru Nui, received mixed reviews from journalists upon its initial release, but in retrospect, has been viewed more favorably compared to its predecessor, with it being praised for its upgrade in animation, but was criticized for its filling in of plot holes from the first film. Matthew Attanasio of Comic Book Resources gave a negative review of the film, stating that "LEGO's decision to focus on prequel material was received as a slap in the face". He added that the positive aspects of the film included its animation, but also criticized the editing, saying that like the past film, "maintains the problem of poor editing to the point of being laughably bad".

Accolades

Year	Award	Nominated work	Result
2003	Golden Reel Award for Best Visual Effects in a DVD Premiere Movie in December 2003	Bionicle: Mask of Light	Won
2004	Saturn Award for Best DVD Release	Bionicle: Mask of Light	Won
2004	DVD Exclusive Award for Best Animated Premiere Movie	Bionicle 2: Legends of Metru Nui	Nominated
2004	DVD Exclusive Award for Best Director	Bionicle 2: Legends of Metru Nui	Nominated
2004	DVD Exclusive Award for Best Original Score	Bionicle 2: Legends of Metru Nui	Nominated
2004	Saturn Award for Best DVD Release	Bionicle 2: Legends of Metru Nui	Nominated
2004	iParenting Media Award for Best Home Video/DVD	Bionicle 2: Legends of Metru Nui	Won
2004	Golden Reel Award for Sound Editing in a Direct to Video Release	Bionicle 2: Legends of Metru Nui	Won
2005	Golden Reel Award for Sound Editing in a Direct to Video Release	Bionicle 3: Web of Shadows	Nominated
2005	Annie Award for Best Home Entertainment Production	Bionicle 3: Web of Shadows	Nominated