One Villainous Scene: Bionicle - "I'm Listening" 

"Throw yourselves off the ledge!" I'm not gonna lie, that moment had me shook as a kid. LEGO was hardcore back in the day.

"You can't betray someone you're enslaved to." Simple yet powerful

Never thought someone would pick Bionicle for this. Pleasantly surprised.

...you know, Bionicle sure was fucking *_metal_* for a kids' toyline.

I had heard tales of the famed "Bionicle Lore", of its mythical unexpected quality, but I had never seen it in person. Thanks for the discovery.

7:00 great thing here is the clear difference in power. Vakama struggles full body against the bonds, then Rudaka breaks them with a single finger.

I forgot how much Bionicle probably heavily influenced my tastes for the real kinds of THICK narratives as a kid. Holy shit, what a video.

Rudaka's VA did a very good job in Web of shadow. The way she speaks to Vakama is really hypnotic.

“It doesn’t have the same kind of cinematography as other modern films do” I honestly beg to differ. 1 and 2 struggled with their budgets, but 3 was punching _well_ above its weight with the lighting and shot composition. The movie’s storyboard artists have some pretty impressive pedigrees across the board. People like the co-director of Disney’s Dinosaur, a VFX-artist-to-be for Pacific Rim, etc., and it shows. I’d honest-to-God take the cinematography in this over most MCU films…though maybe that says more about most MCU films.

You wanna know something that blows my mind about this? The positions of the hero and villain in the film have a legitimate philosophical backing in the ideas of power and leadership. They're pretty 101 as far as philosophy and political theory go, but it's still interesting that they can be thought of this way. Specifically, Roodaka holds the view that all power is derived from strength, or the ability to mete out violence. This would be Mao's "political power comes out of the barrel of a gun" idea, to sum it up neatly. Meanwhile, the Toa embody the view that power is derived from the consent of those who wish to follow. This would be closer to Locke's idea of a Social Contract. Therefore, the final act of the film becomes something of a discourse between the two, and it concludes by deciding that the Consent of the Governed is the superior view of leadership, and one that is more moral as a model for leadership. Kind of a rushed analysis, but I thought it was interesting.

Not a lot of toylines managed to create such a unique world over the years as Bionicles did. It's insane to me to this day how much thought and love was put into storyline for this series. I really hope to stand on earth long enough to see a return of this beautiful IP in media again. I know that a few games are being made, but I really wish this style of bionicle also returned someday. It would be interesting to see how other characters would look in this artstyle and type of movie. Bionicle was serious and dark but also extremely interesting from the toys themselves to the story and concept. Because it wasn't too over the top and more filled with secrets and lore than just simple power comparisons and shounen like action like most toy lines tend to fall into, It propably shaped me as a person that I am right now, a person that not only os enjoying the things but also analysing them on many levels which sometimes might lead to some media being not as likeable as most people see it as, but ut also makes all the good things 100 times more enjoyable and interesting. Thank you for making this video. I think I really need to rewatch these movies again because of how much I forgot and missed from the last time I saw this trilogy. And you pointed out a lot of great things here. I really hope for a grand return of this Bionicle story style. Not any reboot... this was perfect and never needed to change.

As a kid, I always loved it when he jumped off the tower and how he said "I've got a plan." Dunno why

Bionicle is one of my favorite franchises, so much was put into it by the creators, the reveals were properly set up and the story was consistent. Matau was probably one of my favorite characters in the metru Nui saga. He was perhaps the most flawed character in that saga and his growth was spectacular to watch. The only flaw I ever had with bionicle was there wasn’t enough.

Ah yes, Roodaka. The source of both my technophiliac and dommy mommy kinks. Disney wasn't the only one "influencing" kids.

10:32 I'm still surprised they showed that in a kids' film. Love Bionicle! I was so surprised but glad to see someone talk about it in this collab

Okay but if we're doing One Villainous Scene on BIONICLE, someone *has* to cover Void Makuta. That was some Eldritch Horror shit and I wish it had gone on longer. The wild thing about Vakama's 2005 arch is that if you *only* take into account the movies it doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but when you look into how often he was belittled and berated by his team in the 2004 books it's the most logical outcome. It's a plot point that I see a lot of BIONICLE fans complain about, but I actually love it. And the end scene with Matau's apology always makes me cry.

Was scrolling through all these One Villainous Scene vids when I stumbled upon this one. Bionicles was a massive part of my childhood, still got Toa Hordika Matau, Toa Hordika Vakama, and a Vizarak Vohtarak on a shelf in my room. Great to see it still getting some attention after so, so long.

I haven't thought about this series since Lego Movie offhandedly mentioned it, and before that for almost a decade.

I don't remember this movie having such an impactful message, must rewatch now.

I still fuckin' love Roodaka's voice.

Honestly some of my favorite entries in this villainous scene project are from people who don’t usually do scripted video essays, so the polished technique of someone doing them for a living isn’t there, but that just makes the fact that they cared enough about the topic and had enough to say about it that they made the video anyway, scuffs and all, shine through more for me. “This is a little outta my comfort zone, it won’t be perfect, and it’s worth making anyway” is my jam when it comes to other folks creative projects. I love hearing people talk aboht stuff they love, and it’s cool when they branch out of their usual mediums to do it. I don’t know a damn thing about bionical and I really enjoyed this!

Never got into Bionicle as a kid. This makes me feel like I missed out.

17:49 "I lead only those that choose to follow. That's the difference between being a leader and a tyrant." 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 Kids don't get it as good these days.

"You cant betray someone you're inslaved too" that line goes HARD

Never would have thought someone would do a one villainous scene on Vakama’s trek to the dark side

Vakama in Bionicle 2001-2003: *wise turaga of Ta-Koro* Also Vakama: "Follow me!" *gets hit by rhotuka spinner*

no fucking way i did not expect to see a scene from a Bionicle film in this youtuber mass colab a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one

"That's an order", so the Visorak all leave. 7yo me was shocked, the whole debate about being a leader, even when I couldn't really understand it all, I truely felt it and it still resonates with me

I was not expecting to see a Bionicle film in this series of essays. Excellent take, and thanks for representing the franchise!

Man I loved this movie when I was a kid. I'd only seed Bionicle 2 and 3, but I loved Vakama and this movie did him really well as far as character went. Something about the concept of him turning into a monster because of the pressure he and everyone around him put on him and then coming to terms with the mistakes they all made here was supremely satisfying to me. I realize that I've always loved tortured characters who fall really far from where their ideals started them. Though, the best part has always been how they come back and make amends for it. It's an archetype I'm an absolute sucker for. You know, I could never find a way to get into the lore properly, but I always thought this was a fascinating franchise. Have wantes to learn more about the deep lore but could never figure where to start or what to follow. ^^;

Roodaka was easily the best villain of these movies. Makuta [Terridax] was menacing, but Roodaka was truly dangerous.

A lot of people like to say 2005 was the worst year for the story, I disagree. I personally loved the direction it took, and honestly would have liked to see it expanded on a bit more. With the 2005 plot not being resolved in 2005, but in 2006. I enjoyed where the story went after the flashback years, but I would have liked to have gotten a bit more.

I LOVED the Bionicle movies growing up.

Damn, I haven't heard someone mention Bionicles in over a decade. Also, it doesn't feel like that long ago but I can describe it as having been over a decade. That evokes a weird feeling...

Holy shit guys, 10,000 views. This received exponentially more attention than I ever expected to get on a video I haphazardly threw together in twoish hours. Thank you for the views, likes, and comments. Considering the attention this received (many thanks to Nando v Movies for the platforming opportunity) I think I'll make more video essay content soonish, when work allows. I'll mix and match doing new stuff with adapting my Medium essay articles into video essay format. Thank you again for the attention and love! Those later videos will be much less rambly and more coherent, I promise. EDIT: Jesus, 30k. Why are you here? This video did not deserve this much attention--any future video essays I put out will have a shred of actual effort put into them, both in script and editing (I can't make promises about my mic). Thanks for the generally positive reception. Because I've needed to put it in a few places, the three resources for Bionicle lore that I recommend are thegreatarchives.com, wallofhistory.com, and biomediaproject.com. The first two have the books, comics, etc. for you to experience the story, and the last has associated media for different perspectives and callbacks to the early 2000's hype.

Thanks for the hot take on one of my favorite franchises of all time. It's interesting that a lot of moments in the movie don't feel as well done as in the books, but that one of the ones that does land is Matau's joke at 14:02. That just felt like comedy gold for some reason.

I heard some didn't wanted Vakama to change sides, but Matau. I think that wouldn't work out, Matau is just too superficial, he was struggling by his look, Vakama by his leadership skills.

You know I've been thinking about the scene were a heart felt apologize was all that was needed for him to forgive and turn back. And thinking about how it would work for other examples of someone driving another to villainy. And I've come to the conclusion that it can only work if. One that have had a good relationship before the splitting. And two that not much time has passed yet. If the relationship was bad beforehand then the apology is meaningless to much bad blood and past transgressions ro matter. And if it takes to long resentment can fester to the point where it can seem false done more out of fear or desperation then any real care. Just my two cents on a sub topic in this vide that's been eaten at me with other media as well.

Oh now THIS is some nostalgia. I loved this movie back in the late 2000s.

This is the move that made me realize how similar Vakama and I were. "I am better and stronger alone." He truly is the best character of the whole saga.

Well, Roodaka's voice acting certrainly explains the ...ahem... 'off model' fanart of her I came across years ago.

Way to bring back my childhood, mate... Returning to this movie, over a decade later... and seeing you dissect it and show that the story had meaning and purpose... makes me smile. ...I really need to watch it again. I bought the thing, all those years ago...

oh hey, someone made one of these for bionicle. nice

The movie actually went way darker than the book in the rooftop scene -- in the book, the visorak landed on a ledge that Roodaka knew was there, but they didn't. (Makes sense not to waste your informers, I guess.) In the film, she straight-up orders their suicides. Absolutely *brutal*.

People criticise this choice to make vakama a villain, but it works perfectly

I had one of the bionicle books as a kid. I can't believe I forgot the deep lore

Glad to see my childhood here on display. This movie was amazing, if not unsettling as a kid. Even watching all 3 now, their quality wasn't actually that bad, and they still hold up IMO

I’d forgotten how good these movies were, think I’ve still got them all in storage somewhere

This villian series has been great so many unexpected choices.

I was hoping to find a Bionicle video on this playlist. I was thinking about one Of Makuta's monologs, but Roodaka is still so compelling!

Almost feel like Onewa should’ve been in Matau’s place in the Web of Shadows arc. No one did more to crush Vakama’s confidence than he did. He was even right a few times. Alas, the brown Toa gets cast aside again..

Man, as a kid, Web of Shadows was one of those movies that just *Hit Different*. And not even just in the Bionicle trilogy either, but movies in general. And I think one of the major contributing factors to that - (aside from some actually pretty good visuals like the massive battle at the end) - is precisely that very same subplot that this video touched on: Vakama just #TryingHisBestOutHere, getting pushed or even outright driven away by his own brother(s), falling victim to a villainess who surgically preys on his feelings of spite and desire for validation by presenting an argument that, to someone in his position, would actually make sense, then finally getting a genuine apology from the one who pushed him away in the first place. Damn, I might need to rewatch that, if for no other reason than to see how it holds up to more mature scrutiny than my mind had to offer back then lol Also, does anyone happen to have any suggestions they can give me for movies or tv shows that also had a satisfying (sub)plot like this one? And no, I will not be accepting that one episode of CW Flash where he gets "red-flashed" by that villain, thank you very much XD

Nice to see some love for this great trilogy after all these years 😊

1:25 Okay, I'm sorry that this has nothing to do with the topic of the video (you were very well-spoken, by the way, great job), but despite having watched this movie several times throughout my childhood, I JUST NOW realized that Sidorak's throne is a GIANT MODIFIED TOA MATA HEAD.

I like how Vakama’s voice got deeper after his transformation compared to the rest of Toa Hordika like Matau remain the same I think it shows more of the aggression and animalistic side of Vakama. Also I think his voice actor Alessandro Juliani did an amazing job as Hordika Vakama!

YES I WAS WONDERING WHEN SOMEONE DO A BONKLE ONE

Dude this is really good. I don’t remember these movies at all, but your editing of the clips and your writing and voice work made this a very compelling and thought-provoking watch. Well done!

I still remember Tahu.

When I was a kid, this was the only bionicle movie we had, so I watched it several times, somehow not picking up that it was a sequel despite the title or the heavy plot hints. Kids can be very dumb :D Great video though, I really appreciated how thorough your breakdown of Vakama's character was

It’s funny that Sidorak might’ve actually won if the Toa had been dropped to they’re doom if Roodaka didn’t stop it for her own purposes

... Bionicle lore video, you really ARE Mandokarla I shall be watching your career with great interest!

THIS, I HAVENT SEEN THIS IN SO LONG, I JUST COULDNT REMEMBER THE NAME THANK YOU, i must rewatch this as I'm pretty sure it was the first Bionicle thing i ever saw all those years ago.....now i feel old xD

This video is just so well made on so many levels.

Your video is excellent! You do an excellent job exploring the characterization of Vakama, and it reminded me of a video I watched recently. It was called 'How to Radicalize a Normie'; it's a part of Innuendo Studios' The Alt-Right Playbook series. Roodaka sells the vulnerable Vakama on totalitarian ideology by separating him from his friends, convincing him they won't respect him (or take him back), and then promising him that, if he asserts his power over others through force, he will gain the respect he has been denied (this is paralleled irl by people who offer bigotry as a solution to social problems, like economic anxiety, or uncertainty about one's place in the world). Furthermore, the movie shows her promise to be the hollow thing that it is, as you point out so well in your video! Thanks for reminding me of a movie I loved a lot as a kid, and giving me reasons to re-watch it!

Amazing.

I've been looking forward to this.

YESSS BEEN WAITING TO SEE A VIDEO SUCH AS THIS

That was a pretty nice listen, I'm glad this got recommended to me

Dude I completely forgot that bionicle existed but I’ve consumed every bit of media they put out from the first run of their toys to when they turned the toa into combat divers and even all the games and movies. I feel like I’m drowning in all the old memories I had with these toys EDIT: I really doubt anyone will know what I’m talking about but I just remembered and old ass RU-vid series called the Chronicles of Jaller, my god the memories

My fucking childhood. Damn I watched these movies so often…

This was a really good character study. Good luck on your future works!

A review about a Bionicle movie. Never thought I'd see the day

the word bionicle just sent a wave of memories

Man, Matau's speech really hits hard, even as an adult!

I'm too lazy to look it up, but 810NICLE day is also the Tenth Of August. TOA. I'm probably not the first to realize this, but I think it's pretty cool.

I loved these when I was a kid, sad they were forgotten

Ya made it to the list, good job

God I forgot how emotional that duel was near the end

Awesome stuff dog, brought back a lot of awesome memories. I liked your script and writing, you should do more analysis!

I loved this movie, pretty good breakdown. I really enjoyed the way they did vakama, even if I was just a kid

Yo that soundtrack got me feelin something fierce! I feel 10 again

I never thought anyone else watched this

Wonderful video!

Brilliant.

Man I forgot how they used to dog Vakama out

Sometimes one turns their back on the many when they feel like the many had turned their backs on them.

Bionicles is still one of my favorite genres.

It's cool to see someone actually chose BIONICLE for this. If I were to do one I'd choose some of Makuta Teridax's scenes in Mask of Light.

“What’d you have in there?” *”Everything.”*

Ah, Bionicle: the only trilogy where all 3 films are of comparable quality. Though, personally, I always liked 2 and 3 more for keeping the focus on the Toa.

great job

Love this movie

7:40 i also think it's neat that she asks "What harm could come from listening", but Vakama's never really been considering her offer till in the later scene 11:00 he literally says "I'm listening". That's truly the moment he's stepped over the threshold. Nice choice of words there, if that's intentional.

I was never crazy into Bionicles (I thought they were rad don't get me wrong) but I really do love Web of Shadows.

Good video I'm glad a smaller channel is getting some good views

Good vid from someone who's only heard of Bionicle.

tbh We'd all be changed if we were captured by Roodaka.

I was just thinking about this movie today

Bionicle 2 and 3 have some really good VAs, lemmetellya

Oh I remember this