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Random Movie Insights: Bionicle 2: Legends Of Metru Nui


fishers64

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It's what you've all been waiting for...:-)Legends of Metru Nui Notes• Main Character: Vakama• Secondary Major Character: Lhikan• Theme: “He must learn to believe in himself. Only then will he find his destiny.” This film focuses on self confidence, like the last film focused on self-discovery.• In some respects, this film is a direct sequel to the last film – we move from self-discovery to self-confidence, which are themes that build on each other – you know who you are, now you should be confident in it. The self-reliance theme, however, gives Mata Nui less of a role, so they had to include some plot to work him in.The Very First Scene• Mega-neat animation here, with the Miramax logo fading into a pillar of light. The light is an allusion to the last film, in which Vakama says “Light found itself and illuminated our destiny.” So this is what the light revealed, thus the column of light.• Since the sea was noticeably absent in the last film, we are working it in here quite nicely.• The light of Mata Nui shines through the red “Toa-rock” indicating that light will be shown through the “Fire characters” throughout the film, which it is. Vakama is the “Takanuva” of this film, even though it doesn’t feel like it. His visions show destiny just like Takuanuva’s light at the end of the first film, but more subtle. This makes the film a little more complex and engaging then the last one.• And the darkness doesn’t completely fill up the “Toa-rocks” completely either, showing that not all hope is lost.• The end of the scene shows Mata Nui being squeezed between two rocks that represent Makuta, and then we see Lhikan shoving two dark things aside, which, if you read the novel, are suva doors. This tells us the Lhikan is interested in resisting Makuta, even if we didn’t get it from the introduction. Also, both Mata Nui and Lhikan both meet bad ends at the end of the film, and in Vakama’s visions the two aren’t distinguished well.• Lhikan is also remarkably similar to Jaller. Just as Jaller helps Takua find his identity, Lhikan helps Toa Vakama to be more confident in himself, and both do it just before they die. Jaller comes back, and Lhikan doesn’t; after all knowing who you are actually takes you further than being confident in yourself, the films imply. Both actually do the opposite of what they are supposed to early in the film, Jaller by doubting, Lhikan by being captured. They are also the first people who appear in their respective films. And don’t wear that Kanohi Hau, pal, it is the kiss of a glorious death.• Instead of a Lame Matoran calling other Lame Matoran’s Name, the film’s pace is quick. 10 seconds in, Lhikan is performing cool acrobatic stunts to stay out of energy webs. (This is one of the reasons this film was better than the last one. Many reasons.)• And then we get the fall scene, and because this is Bionicle 2: Legends of Metru Nui, the film about self-reliance, Lhikan pulls out of his fall by his own resources and bails. The observers are the professional discouragement team led by Krekka. No, wait…• Also, before I leave Lhikan behind, I should point out that in some respects Jaller and Lhikan are foils in the fact that Jaller’s presence for most of the film led to problems for Takua, and it is Lhikan’s absence in this film that causes the most problems. Lhikan has great confidence in Vakama, but Jaller has zero confidence in Takua. Jaller actually has more parallels to Mata Nui, since he came back from the dead and was exposed to forgetful sleep. And you know what the Matoran used to represent Mata Nui? A Kanohi Hau Mask, which Jaller and Lhikan both wore. Jaller and Lhikan both are incomplete, fuzzy pictures of Mata Nui! This would explain the strange scene on the stairs to the chamber of Life where Lhikan says “As long as you remember me in your hearts, I am not truly dead.” or something to that effect. It almost refers to that point where Mata Nui’s spirit goes dormant in the Mask of Life, leaving a legacy behind, but never truly dead. So Lhikan = Jaller = Mata Nui, approximately speaking, like Lhikan ~ Jaller ~ Mata Nui, but that looks weird. If you knew that already, I might have discovered a new connection or two for you. So Tahu’s Kanohi Hau is (literally) a red herring. Back to the story:Introducing: The Toa Metru!• Because we don’t care much about identity here, the six Toa are promptly identified in what qualifies as Backstory. Then another cool action sequence with Vakama and Lhikan, and finally we get to that Lame Matoran chatty sequence we’ve all been waiting for.• Vakama’s first vision is similar to the Mata Nui-being-crushed/Lhikan-shove-open-sequence, which could almost qualify as an overuse. When Mata Nui is crushed, Vakama (and consequently the entire Matoran population) is going down with it. Vakama doesn’t get it.• “You should not blame yourself Vakama. You are a mask maker, not a Toa.” And how does Turaga Dume happen to know about these intimate details about Lhikan’s capture and what Vakama thinks? That should have been a red flag…and then Vakama’s voice evidences fear, which is unusual in the presence of a Turaga. Respect, yes, but fear is a little off. Coliseum: Round One• This is our first reference to the sea in this film. Because there was no mention of Po-Koro or the sea in the last film, we see lots of Po-Metru – and the sea.• This is a pattern from the last film. In MoL, the first time Takua does the kolhii match, he fails miserably, and the second time he succeeds – when it really counts. The first time the match was controlled, was done in an arena, with the Turaga watching. The second time the kolhii match is completed, it is against Makuta. The second time, Takua had discovered his identity. In LoMN, the “Sea of Protodermis” is repeated twice, first in an arena with a Turaga watching, and the second time, with Makuta, where it really counts. The second time, the Toa were considerably more confident of their abilities and did not botch it the second time. Moral: training pays off.• The Toa leave the stadium by bringing down the statue of Toa Lhikan. In the second round, they really do leave over Lhikan’s dead body, by bringing him down.• The Great Disks don’t work in the arena, and the Mask of Time isn’t too effective in the end. They are crutches that Vakama falls back on instead of himself.• On the self-reliance end of the spectrum, unlike last time where Takua and Jaller were defeated by others, the Toa Metru were busted by a machine. Takua’s defeat was his own fault, but the Metru never had a chance. That’s a foreshadow of the ending… all those inside the robot never have a chance against Makuta, whereas those outside (Spherus Magna’s) problems are their own fault.The Chute, Kikanalo, and a guy named Nidiki.• Nidiki and Krekka are mighty slow on the flight side, or Matau is a very fast chute jumper. In fact, it might have been cool to have Matau snatched out of the air by the Dark Hunters, Matau fight them off and crash them to the ground, and…but now I’m speculating.• Because we cannot Fire-bash like we did in the last film, we Air-bash because we can. Matau is actually supposed to be a comic relief character in an otherwise dark and depressing movie, but…he is pretty stupid. That and the infamous Krekka.• That vision hanging from the chute…the giant Lhikan next to the small Vakama is a picture of how Vakama thinks of himself. And, yes, that UDD symbol in the sky, the giant Lhikan to the giant Mata Nui, which was represented by the UDD.• Bottom line: Bionicle is generally partial to the water and ice personages. Nokama generally isn’t beat up, Gali owns the world, Hali gets to make epic speeches and play epic kolhii and be “Hali the Barabarian” and so on. Matoro saves the universe, Kopaka owns the world, but Nuju is…well, Nuju. But because in this film, Vakama is the owner of this tale, even Nokama gets her comeuppance on Matau’s accurate comment about “bad things happening in the desert”. This is actually, in part, a self-fulfilling prophecy by Matau.• “It’s amazing what you can learn when you aren’t always speak-teaching.” Then Nokame finds her mask power as translation, which is a speak-teaching power. Irony. By the way, all the Toa’s Mask Powers do fit them exactly, which is true even of the Toa Nuva, even if it is less of a personality fit. The only possible future exception to this rule is Kongu and Nuparu’s swapped powers, which the organic masks is another really strange concept…and I am getting off topic again. Bossy Onewa= mind control, always-wanting-to hide Vakama=invisibility, and so on. It make sense. • Lhikan says “Without self-discovery you will never find your destiny.” What, didn’t you all watch the last film?• The Toa walk right past the canisters that would have solved their mystery for them about the "odd storage containers". This wouldn't have changed very much...• …although it might have convinced the Toa to ride just a bit faster in the scene that follows. This is scene is supposed to be comic relief between two major action sequences.• This movie focused a lot more on action then the last film, it is a lot less mystic and a whole lot faster paced, less of a fantasy opera and more of an action film. I don’t know about you, but I think younger kids tend to like those better.• Vakama says “Toa Lhikan will be forever in your debt.” He is living in Toa Lhikan’s shadow the whole film. Only his death allows him to be himself, a parallel to the last film with Jaller’s death in the last film.The End• All the major villainous characters in this movie have the ability to fly in this film, and the only hero that really does is Lhikan.• The Toa were trying to get back to the Great Temple, but were stopped by Makuta. When the Toa Nuva tried to get the Great Spirit back, they got Makuta instead.• The last vision: It is difficult to see because everything happens so fast, but in the middle of images from the previous visions and their real-life fulfillments, there is this picture of Toa Vakama standing in front of the Great Spirit Rock, which is being closed upon. I am pretty sure this means that Vakama is the last hope for the Great Spirit, which is also the purpose of the Vakama-as-Matoran vision when he runs toward the last remainder of light. Whereas Lhikan and Jaller are representations of the Great Spirit, Vakama is the Great Spirit’s guardian, his friend, even. Every battle he has fought, and will fight, is not because he doesn’t have a choice, but because he has an affection for the people of Metru Nui and the principles they live by, and the person who gave those principles to them. Vakama, at first, doesn’t believe he can live up to the standard of others that have come before, like Lhikan, but he does. That’s part of what made Time Trap so great, is that Vakama can finally live with himself, he knows exactly who he is and want he wants, and he will stop at nothing to get it. Finally!• In contrast to Time Trap, Vakama is an absolute coward, cowering behind the Mask of Time and Lhikan to try to avoid getting pulverized. Then he hides (literally) behind his mask of concealment.• Only when all Vakama’s crutches (Lhikan, the Mask of Time) are removed does he come out and say – “I don’t need to, I’m a Toa.” Lhikan’s death frees Vakama to work out his own problems without the old hanging over his head.• “If Toa Lhikan could not defeat me alone, how can you?” I love that line, because the proper answer is “With one Mask of Time”(Time Trap). But the temporary answer Nokama gives is fine, too, and it takes away, slightly, from the over dominance of Vakama here. • At the end, the UDD symbol is in the sky over Mata Nui. It’s up there. I never would have guessed.The End (movie 2)

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You've done it again! This time you've even gone so far as to drag the Miramax logo into your awesome insights. For Web of Shadows, I bet you'll successfully find a way to link the FBI warning into all this!

That made me laugh out loud.And I am sure she will."The FBI warning relates to this, in the sense that this film is not at all stolen, especially not from Star Wars."
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Wow... these are really... deep. Guess I'll think more of these "straight to DVD kids' films." Good luck finding anything this deep in TLR. :P

Oh, you never know...I was going to come up with a response, but I believe I have been beaten. See below:

You've done it again! This time you've even gone so far as to drag the Miramax logo into your awesome insights. For Web of Shadows, I bet you'll successfully find a way to link the FBI warning into all this!

That made me laugh out loud.And I am sure she will."The FBI warning relates to this, in the sense that this film is not at all stolen, especially not from Star Wars."
You guys are making me laugh out loud. I never intended to drag the Miramax logo in, although, that city that is a part of it is a reflection of what you are about to see. And come on, saying that the "saving Vakama" scene is like Star Wars is like saying that MoL is like LotR. The film was made of cheese, but it had absolutely nothing to do with that.

Do I need to post my review of this movie now?

You do what you want. It was your decision to post your review of MoL, so it is your choice again. I have no part in it.
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I just thought the whole "Vakama turns evil" thing was a little similar to the Star Wars movie released a few months earlier.But, seeing as this is a topic about LoMN, not WoS...The film begins with an introduction that barely explains anything to the viewer. It then cuts to Lhikan stealing stones from a temple (the stones are not explained to well either.) A quick action sequence breaks out when two mysterious beings attack, and Lhikan flees from the scene. He delivers the stones to an teacher, a carver, an archivist, a psychic astrologer, a crash test dummy, and a mask maker with little self-esteem.Vakama is seen failing to make a Mask of Time. Lhikan gives him a vague description of what he has to do, before he is attacked by Nidhiki and Krekka.. They attack him, and Lhikan decides not to use his Mask of Shielding or elemental powers. After Nidhiki threatens Vakama’s life, Lhikan surrenders.Vakama falls down into some odd hole, and the insane Matoran has a vision. Lhikan tells him to “Save the Heart of Metru Nui.”At this time, we see a stone pretending to be Makuta.Vakama and the others arrive at the temple, and start talking. They put their stones into strange holes in an odd object, and become Toa. They all find Toa Weapons Tools somewhere, and Vakama has another vision. It shows The Coliseum, standing in the middle of nowhere, implying that all the other buildings will vanish. He tells the otehr Toa that they need the Great Disks, because they feel the need to prove themselves to the city leader. Nokama manages to convince the other Toa that Vakama's random hallucinations are possibly messages from Mata Nui, and they go on an incomplete quest, with many cliffhangers, and eventually find the disks.They go to the city’s leader, and proclaim themselves as Toa. He says that finding the legendary Great Disks was nothing, and the Matoran are stupid enough to believe him. He then has the floor (yes, the floor) attack the Toa. When they get beat up, the Vahki come for their immortal souls.No character said a Vahki’s name in the whole movie. This is because they all saw the first film, and new that saying their names would cause them to choke to death.A tornado starts in the middle of The Coliseum, and capture’s Nuju, Onewa, and Whenua. They get sent away from Kansas, as the three other Toa escape. They run towards giant liquid tubes, and jump in to avoid The Man.Dume reveals himself to be evil, and sends the Dark Hunters after the escaped Toa.It should be noted that at this point in the film, the Toa Metru are in liquid. They manage to talk (I think they talk), scream, and maneuver pretty well without breathing. The chute gets reversed, and the Toa escape. Matau (who must be very dumb) discovers the ability to fly, despite the fact that he flew multiple times before.The other Toa find a mysterious Turaga who gives them stupid tasks that seem useless. But, seeing as there is nothing better to do in prison, they play the Turaga's games.Vakama convinces himself that he can make the Mask of Time with the Great Disks. He feels that maybe, if he still acts like a Matoran, he will still be a Matoran. Grow up!The Toa then stow away on a legged vehicle, and find odd spheres. They leave, and are attacked by rhinos. In the middle of the stampede, Nokama turns around and holds up a hand, which somehow makes them stop. She claims it is her Mask of Translation. I think that a Mask of Holding Up My Hand To Stampeding Rhinos is a very lame power, seeing as anyone can lift up there hand. But Nokama obviously needed a mask to do that. I thought the Rau allowed you to speak and read and understand any language (of course, you can always say that Nokama was using sign language.)Onewa and Whenua bump into each other and Whenua over reacts. Onewa stays calm, and gives Whenua forced counseling. Now why couldn’t Onewa help Tahu or Terry when they needed him in the last movie? Onewa uses his Mask of Mind Control, although it looks more like Telekinesis the way he does it. But Nuju then reveals that HE has the Mask of Telekinesis.Vakama and the others outsmart nearly 400 Vahki at once. Matau discovers his Mask of Illusion (although he shapeshifts) and the Toa go underground. Whenua discovers that he has the Mask of Light (Bulbs) and the Toa reunite. The odd Turaga reveals himself to be Lhikan, and Vakama becomes depressed when he learns that the Matoran are the Heart of Metru Nui. Even when I was 7, I knew it was the Matoran. Vakama is pretty dumb.We then learn that Dume is Makuta.The Metru arrive at the Coliseum, only to find that it is too late. Dume already revealed who he was (a little early) and the Toa missed it. Lhikan gets mad at Dume, screaming “It would have been more dramamtic to reveal yourself in this scene!”Makuta then flies into the air, and the Toa Metru rescue 6 Matoran. They get in their car, and Vakama has an awesome vision where he finally understands what is going on in this movie (I wouldn't know if I wasn't an obsessed BIONICLE fan at one point in my life.) Makuta begins to attack them with the ocean (even though water/protodermis is a primary element, which Makuta have no control over.) Onewa uses his Mask of Not Telekinesis to make Nidhika and Krekka fly off their car. It is supposed to, I think, be jumping, but it only has slight resemblance to a jump. Vakama then has Nuju use his Mask of Telekinesis (the real one) to send him up to Makuta. Vakama uses the now complete Mask of Time, and slows down Time around Makuta and himself. Makuta’s shadow hand almost kills Vakama, but Lhikan somehow makes his way up there, and takes the blast(?) for Vakama.Lhikan dies. At least when Jaller died in MoL, there was an explanation (he choked), but Lhikan? Oh no. Lhikan just kinda dies when his shield is stolen.Vakama becomes depressed by this, and turns invisible. With his newfound abilities, he tricks good ol’ Terry into smashing himself with a wall. Makuta somehow survives, so the other Toa come and turn him to stone.The Toa then go to Mata Nui and rescue the Matoran. A happy ending!BTW, something on the more serious side I noticed you left out. I always looked at Lhikan's Hau reverting back to it's Toa form when Jaller wore it as foreshadowing to Jaller's future transformation into a Toa.

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Very impressive work! For me, LoMN has always been easily the best of the four films, but you've shed a new light on it that makes it seem that much cooler. :PSeriously though, there's plenty of little details that connect the film in otherwise undetectable ways that you have found. It makes me want to go watch the movie again, even if I just did last night. :PThanks for sharing.

believe victims. its actually not that hard, and youd look kind of bad if you were to, say, side with an abuser because theyre your friend

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Very interesting insights. Fisher pointed out all sorts of stuff that seems blatantly obvious now, but I didn't notice when I first watched the movies. You make me want to dust off those DVD's and give them another watch :P.-don't touch my pocket protector

Three great comedies at one low, low price....NOTHING!

 

Three late-middle age matoran think of something they want to do before they kick the bucket.

 

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Navigate your way through a myriad of meaningless choices as you try to not make a fool of yourself in perhaps the only comedy ever written almost entirely in spoiler tags.

 

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Finally! I've been waiting for this...LoMN has always had a special place as one of my favorite movies. Not BIONICLE movies, movies. It was just THAT good.

 

Although Beninator's insights were hilarious, I was much more intrigued by the serious insights at the beginning. Never thought about the Lhikan=Mata Nui connection...hmm...

 

Can't wait for WoS!

 

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Very interesting insights. Fisher pointed out all sorts of stuff that seems blatantly obvious now, but I didn't notice when I first watched the movies. You make me want to dust off those DVD's and give them another watch :P.-don't touch my pocket protector

Found my old DVDs, dusted them off, watched them.Wow, the first film was boring. But LoMN was actually pretty good.WoS. No.
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The funny thing is that WoS was actually one of two favorite Bionicle books (the other being Time Trap). The other movie tie-in books were mediocre I thought. That goes to show you how much voice acting actually contributes to (or detracts from) the quality of a movie :P.-don't touch my pocket protector

Three great comedies at one low, low price....NOTHING!

 

Three late-middle age matoran think of something they want to do before they kick the bucket.

 

Choose Your Own Bionicle Adventure (archived)

Navigate your way through a myriad of meaningless choices as you try to not make a fool of yourself in perhaps the only comedy ever written almost entirely in spoiler tags.

 

Useless BZP Junk that you Must Have!!!

Get to your phone, whip out your credit card, and prepare to buy some useless BZPower related junk that has no benefit on society except that you want it!!!

 

joehalobanner.jpg

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The funny thing is that WoS was actually one of two favorite Bionicle books (the other being Time Trap). The other movie tie-in books were mediocre I thought. That goes to show you how much voice acting actually contributes to (or detracts from) the quality of a movie :P.-don't touch my pocket protector

Actually, there are a number of major differences between the novel and the book, like the reason Vakama betrayed the others, the role of Onewa and Whenua in the story, etc. It is the movie that deviates the most from its novel.Also, using my Create-a-Topic powers, I have magically redirected criticism of the cheesecake WoS here.It's what you've all been waiting for.
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  • 2 weeks later...

Um... you do realize this movie was created just because Lego wanted to sell a bunch of toys? :P

True, but the theorem was that if they didn't create a good story, the toys wouldn't get sold. At least, that is probably what they thought back then, but now...
Just because the movies were made to sell toys, doesn't mean that there weren't deeper themes inherant. Yes, I know it's a kids' movie, but still. Many other Bionicle media expounds upon the ideas of friendship and unity, as well as the developing relationships between the toa. MLP:FIM fans might tell you a thing or two about how a show made to sell toys can house deeper themes within it.-don't touch my pocket protector

Three great comedies at one low, low price....NOTHING!

 

Three late-middle age matoran think of something they want to do before they kick the bucket.

 

Choose Your Own Bionicle Adventure (archived)

Navigate your way through a myriad of meaningless choices as you try to not make a fool of yourself in perhaps the only comedy ever written almost entirely in spoiler tags.

 

Useless BZP Junk that you Must Have!!!

Get to your phone, whip out your credit card, and prepare to buy some useless BZPower related junk that has no benefit on society except that you want it!!!

 

joehalobanner.jpg

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  • 2 weeks later...

Um... you do realize this movie was created just because Lego wanted to sell a bunch of toys? :P

True, but the theorem was that if they didn't create a good story, the toys wouldn't get sold. At least, that is probably what they thought back then, but now...
By that logic, TLR (the most unwatchable film) killed BIONICLE...

"Where wisdom and valor fail, all that remains is faith. And it can overcome all."
- Tahu

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Um... you do realize this movie was created just because Lego wanted to sell a bunch of toys? :P

True, but the theorem was that if they didn't create a good story, the toys wouldn't get sold. At least, that is probably what they thought back then, but now...
By that logic, TLR (the most unwatchable film) killed BIONICLE...
It is an opinion that TLR was most unwatchable film. However, the story was kind of a flop in 2009, which could have accounted for poor sales.
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Um... you do realize this movie was created just because Lego wanted to sell a bunch of toys? :P

True, but the theorem was that if they didn't create a good story, the toys wouldn't get sold. At least, that is probably what they thought back then, but now...
By that logic, TLR (the most unwatchable film) killed BIONICLE...
It is an opinion that TLR was most unwatchable film. However, the story was kind of a flop in 2009, which could have accounted for poor sales.
Actually, I remember reading that 2009 was one of BIONILE's best selling years.Also, BIONICLE ending was decided back in 2008, and it wasn't because of poor sales; new fans were having a hard time jumpinginto the complex story, so LEGO wanted to try something new.

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I'm surprised no one mentioned the fact Nokama placed her Toa stone n the Ice symbol, rather than the water one. Oh well, though.I've got to say, I've never seen anyone go so in depth into these movies. Really makes me want to watch them again, (though its only been like 5 weeks since I watched them last, anyway.)

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