BIONICLE: Mask of Light is a 2003 All-CGI Cartoon film by Miramax, set in the BIONICLE Chronicles (chronologically, after the Bohrok-Kal arc) era of BIONICLE.
Two Matoran, Takua and Jaller, discover the Great Kanohi mask (Avohkii) and are set off to find the mysterious Toa of Light, later escorted by the six Toa Mata, to unseal the Great Spirit currently captured by evil Makuta.
BIONICLE: Mask of Light features the following tropes:
- Achievements in Ignorance: Takua accidentally drops the Ta-Koro's totem into lava. The totem breaks and reveals the Great Kanohi mask sealed inside.
- Adaptation Explanation Extrication: The opening narration makes it sound like the Mata Nui island is where the current generation comes from. The later reveals that Takua was Toa Takanuva in hiding, and that the real goal was opening the Metru Nui instead of awakening the Great Spirit can come off the surprise due to the events taking place 1000 years after the Great Cataclysm, with all context before current events glossed over.
- All or Nothing: Everyone decides to abandon safety and to go cheer on Toa of Light during the final battle. Makuta promptly closes the exit behind them and comments that if he wins, there will be no hope left.
- Back from the Dead:
- Takutanuva revives Jaller near the end of the film with his new powers.
- Immediately after his Heroic Sacrifice, Takanuva's mask is picked up and he gets fully revived.
- Big Damn Heroes: When Jaller is about to get swallowed by lava, Tahu appears out of nowhere and picks him up.
- Chekhov's Gun: The Kolhii game shown in the beginning of the movie is a challenge Makuta picks for the climatic duel. Takua even uses the same jump-flip trick.
- Classical Tongue: The writing on Great Kanohi is considered ancient enough that only Turaga can read it, compared to other signs that Takua can read just fine.
- The Corruption: Tahu was already bitter, but after being injured by Rahkshi, he gets increasingly aggressive and his face starts to get colored green. Later, he attacks Gali and has to be cured.
- David Versus Goliath: Makuta is over twice times tall than everyone else, yet Takanuva beats him.
- Doomed Hometown: Ta-Koro gets pillaged by Rahkshi shortly after Takua and Jaller leave. Tahu and Gali fail at defense and at best manage to evacuate everyone before it sinks under lava.
- Facepalm: Toa Tahu does this during a Kohlii match after Jaller dives right out of the way rather than blocking the oncoming Kohlii ball. Amusingly, shortly after, Jaller hits himself in the head with his Kohlii stick. It's an incredibly dramatic double-facepalm.
- Fictional Sport: Kolhii is a football-like sport where three teams of two try to grab a ball with a specialized stick and throw it to any opposing two gates.
- Foreshadowing: It's said that Great Kanohi is The Chooser of the One that shines to show the one who can deliver it to the Toa of Light. Makuta also can sense that the Toa of Light has "started the crusade". Turns out Takua is the Toa of Light.
- Free-Range Children: Takua and Jaller casually decide to visit a volcano shrine before the Kolhii match. If Tahu wasn't there, they would have burned to death.
- Fusion Dance: When Takanuva tries to take Makuta's mask off and they fall into a pool, they both merge into one being, who is a mix of both personalities but is on the side of good. They get separated later.
- I Will Wait for You: Before leaving, Jaller wants to tell Hahli something, but then promises a Kolhii rematch.
- Knight Templar Big Brother: Makuta has deluded himself into thinking that keeping the Great Spirit in eternal sleep is "protecting" him from disturbances.
- "Leave Your Quest" Test: In the caves, Makuta telepathically tells Takua that they are going to their deaths, but if he gives up the Mask they'll be able to go home. On top of rejecting temptation, Takua chooses to abandon Jaller and the mask and goes to Onu-Koro alone. Takua goes to seek Jaller later.
- Loyal Animal Companion: Pewku is a dog-like giant beetle who follows Takua even across the island.
- Narrator All Along: The opening and ending narrations are by the Turaga Vakama.
- MacGuffin Escort Mission: Takua and Jaller are sent off to find the Toa of Light with the help of the Great Kanohi mask, initially without the help of other Toa.
- Myth Prologue: The film opens with a narration about the Great Spirit, who invited the Matoran to Mata Nui island and gave them purpose, before getting captured by Makuta.
- The Reveal: Takua is not the Herald of the Mask, but is instead its rightful owner, Takanuva.
- Sibling Rivalry: Due to Fire/Water Juxtaposition, Tahu and Gali keep snarking at each other. The Turaga feel it's a bad sign.
- Tagalong Kid: Hahli decides to sneak on Toa of Light's bike into the final battle as his Chronicler.
- Taking the Bullet: Jaller takes a hit by Rahkshi for Takua and dies.
- Temple of Doom: Takua, the Chronicler, decides to visit the Ta-Koro volcanic shrine to inspect an ancient totem. Him picking it up activates a pressure plate that causes an earthquake.
- Tempting Fate:
- Tahu questions why are they having an adventure when Makuta's forces have been defeated. In the very next scene, Makuta creates new minions.
- Onua and Pohatu asks who Rahkshi even are, before Rahkshi break into Onu-Koro.
- When Pohatu collapses the ceiling on Rahkshi, Onua asks how it didn't fall on them as well. The ceiling starts to break further right away.
- Tennis Boss: Takanuva beats Makuta by catching the charged Kolhii ball and throws it back at him.
- The Unchosen One: When first exposed, Great Kanohi shines while near Takua's feet, but he angles it so the light falls on Jaller, who gets selected as the mask's Herald. They both know the truth, but Takua doesn't want this responsibility because of self-deprecation. Jaller makes him join the journey.
- We Have Become Complacent: The film takes place in a peaceful time when Makuta's forces have allegedly long been defeated. This causes Toa to find problems with each other instead, and they get beaten Rahkshi in combat. The only ones who do well are Kopaka and Pohatu due to Geo Effects. They get much stronger with all six working together.
