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Warriors of Virtue
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Wikipedia article
'Warriors of Virtue' is a 1997 martial arts fantasy film directed by Hong Kong filmmaker Ronny Yu in his American English-language directorial debut, written by Michael Vickerman and Hugh Kelley, and starring Angus Macfadyen, Mario Yedidia, and Marley Shelton. The film was an international co-production between the United States, China, Hong Kong, and Canada. The film was based on a series of characters created by the Chinese-American Law brothers, four siblings who worked as physicians and had no prior filmmaking experience. The story follows a young boy who stumbles into a mystical world based on the Tao Te Ching, where he meets the titular Warriors of Virtue - anthropomorphic kangaroos who wield the powers of Tao and battle an evil warlord. The Irish band Clannad provided the original song, "Forces of Nature".
The film was a critical and commercial failure. It was followed by a direct-to-video sequel, 'Warriors of Virtue: The Return to Tao', in 2002.
Plot
Ryan Jeffers suffers a disability to his leg preventing him from trying out for sports and fitting in with other kids at school. He is currently the waterboy of his school's football team and has a crush on quarterback Brad's girlfriend. He often seeks escape through comic books and dreams of adventure, hiding the depression of his disability from his mother Kathryn.
One day, the owner of his favorite restaurant, his friend Ming, gives him a manuscript of Tao representing the five elements: Earth, Fire, Water, Wood and Metal. He advises Ryan to live his life no matter his physical limits. That night, Ryan and his best friend Chucky are approached by Brad and his friends who suggest an initiation for their group. Leading them to a water plant, Ryan is told he needs to cross a narrow pipe in order to sign his name on a wall of graffiti. Chucky recommends to Ryan, "why don't we make like Tom, and Cruise?" Ignoring Chucky's protests, Ryan attempts to cross the pipe. During this time, a water pipe opens up and throws Ryan into the water.
Ryan wakes in a strange forest and is attacked by assailants who are drawn off by a creature from the lake. He screams and runs in fear, but soon realizes his leg works. He meets a dwarf-like man named Mudlap before a beautiful girl named Elysia drives him off. She tells Ryan that he is in Tao. Ryan tells her about the manuscript, which had been stolen with his backpack. Believing it to be the Manuscript of Legend, Elysia takes Ryan to Master Chung and he meets four of the five warriors, anthropomorphic kangaroos each representing an element: Lai, Warrior of Wood; Chi, Warrior of Fire; Tsun, Warrior of Earth; and Yee, Warrior of Metal. He is told that Yun, the Warrior of Water had left them following an earlier conflict. Ryan thinks that the creature that saved him is Yun and that he has the manuscript. He is told that the manuscript would be sought by Komodo, a warlord who betrayed the Warriors and is stealing from the Lifesprings of Tao in order to stay young forever where the Warriors are protecting the last Lifespring. While talking to Elysia, Ryan is captured by Mantose, Barbarocious, and Dullard, but is saved by Yun who admits he doesn't have the book leading Ryan to believe Komodo has it. He convinces Yun to return to the Lifespring.
Ryan flees, wanting to return home, but Mudlap leads him into General Grillo's arms and he is saved by Chung. Yun, Yee and Chi go after the manuscript and fall into a trap after being betrayed by Elysia, who joined Komodo as vengeance against Yun for killing her brother by accident. They are nearly killed in a trap, but narrowly escape using their skills and they return to the Lifespring to prevent Komodo from ambushing the others. Komodo attempts to kidnap Ryan, but instead fights Chung. The battle is brutal, but Chung is ultimately defeated and killed by Komodo who then makes off with Ryan.
When Ryan awakens at Komodo's palace, Elysia explains of Yun killing her brother and tries to convince him to read from the book so that Komodo could possibly invade his world for more Lifesprings. Ryan realizes he can't read the book and this upsets Komodo, who tries to strike Ryan down. Elysia interferes and is struck down by Barbarocious. Komodo kills Barbarocious in rage as Ryan escapes. Komodo, now growing unhinged, returns to the Lifespring and challenges the Warriors to one-on-one combat, splitting into five versions of himself. He taunts and defeats the warriors while Ryan, after getting an apology from Mudlap for his betrayal, finds an inscription in the manuscript. Facing Komodo and taunting him, Ryan tricks Komodo into using his power on him, weakening him so that the warriors can use their powers to purify his spirit, reforming him to a kind man while purifying his surviving army. Ryan, now mortally wounded, is surrounded by his friends and Yee astonishes his comrades by thanking Ryan as he speaks for the first time in many years.
Suddenly, Ryan is back at the water plant before crossing the pipe. Realizing his desperation to fit in led to his accident, he changes it this time and refusing to go through with it. The water pipe opens like it did before, trapping Brad on the other side. His insults to his friends only prompt them to leave him behind for the police to find.
That night at home, Ryan apologizes to his mother for an earlier argument. When he goes to bed, he offers to tell his dog, Bravo, about Tao.
Cast
* Mario Yedidia as Ryan Jeffers, a young boy with a disabled leg.
* Angus Macfadyen as Komodo, an evil warlord and sorcerer that seeks to conquer Tao and then Earth.
* Marley Shelton as Elysia, a young woman who lives in Tao.
* Chao-Li Chi as Master Chung, the master of the Warriors
* Michael J. Anderson as Mudlap, a dwarf-like creature.
* Tom Towles as General Grillo, one of Komodo's henchmen.
* Lee Arenberg as Mantose, one of Komodo's henchmen.
* Dennis Dun as Ming, the owner of Ryan's favorite restaurant.
* Don W. Lewis as Mayor Keena, the mayor of the village where Master Chung lives.
* Teryl Rothery as Kathryn Jeffers, Ryan's mom.
* Rickey D'Shon Collins as Chucky, Ryan's best friend.
* Michael Dubrow as Brad, a quarterback at Ryan's school.
* Ying Qu as Barbarotious, a female follower of Komodo.
* Stuart Kingston as Dullard, one of Komodo's henchmen.
* Gill Butler and Victoria Schoenke as Villagers
* Michael Vickerman as Dragoon Commander, a full-armored minion of Komodo that leads his Dragoons.
* Adam Mills as Toby
In-suit performers
* Jack Tate as Yun, the Warrior of Water and Virtue of Benevolence* Doug Jones as Yee, the Warrior of Metal and Virtue of Righteousness
* Don W. Lewis as Lai, the Warrior of Wood and Virtue of Order
* J. Todd Adams as Chi, the Warrior of Fire and Virtue of Wisdom
* Adrienne Corcoran as Tsun, the Warrior of Earth and Virtue of Loyalty
* Roy Cebellos as Willy Beest, a humanoid cape buffalo.
* Jason Hamer as Mosely, a humanoid rhinoceros.
Voices
* Mina E. Mina as Master Chung* Scott McNeil as Yun
* Doug Parker as Yee, Chi
* Dale Wilson as Lai
* Kathleen Barr as Tsun
* Jay Brazeau as Willy Beest
* Garry Chalk as Mosely
* Ian James Corlett as Mayor Keena
* Venus Terzo as Barbarotious
* Drew Reichelt as Dullard
* Colin Murdock as Dragoon Commander
* Ward Perry as Villager
* Shane Meier as Toby
Production
'Warriors' cost $56 million to produce. The film's producers, brothers Ron, Dennis, Christopher, and Jeremy Law were surgeons by trade and had never produced a film before. Their father, Joseph Law, was a wealthy toy manufacturer in China, who put up most of the reported $36 million shooting budget, though reportedly other investors were also involved. MGM distributed the film and sunk a reported $20 million on prints and advertising. The movie began shooting January 15, 1996 and completed shooting May 9, 1996. The 8 animatronic kangaroos used to bring to life the titular Warriors were designed and created by Tony Gardner. Gardner spent the first half of 1996 in China, working on shots for the film and creating seven animatronic characters. When I came back, I realized the problem of disappearing like that for a long time: People in the industry tend to forget who you are. But in talking to people, to remind them what we did, I thought: Theres no reason we couldnt do all a films visual effects work under one roof.
The costumes for the creatures, the makeup, and the animatronic character effects were provided by Tony Gardner and his company Alterian, Inc.
Reception
'Warriors of Virtue' received overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics. Film critic Kale Klein of the Carlsbad Current-Argus was so physically distressed by the film that he actually vomited during the initial screenings. On an episode of Siskel and Ebert, Gene Siskel voted thumbs down and described 'Warriors of Virtue' as "Generic junk made for the international action market, a cheap hybrid of Power Rangers and Ninja Turtles." Lou Guzzo of The Heritage gave it four stars. "It is a lot of fun. More than just kids fare, adults will appreciate the superb acting and deep storyline." It currently has an 18% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 11 reviews.[https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/warriors_of_virtue/?name_order=asc 'Warriors of Virtue' on Rotten Tomatoes] Accessed on June 21, 2010
Home video reception
The film did not do much better when it hit video, earning $7.69 million from the date of its release in September 1997 through mid-December of that year.Other media
Toys
A line of action figures based on the film was manufactured and released by Play 'Em LLC.Sequel
A second film titled 'Warriors of Virtue: The Return to Tao' was released on October 22, 2002. It was directed by the first film's co-writer Michael Vickerman with Nathan Phillips replacing Yedidia as Ryan Jeffers along with Nina Liu as Amythis, Shedrack Anderson III as Chucky and Kevin Smith (his final role) as Dogon, a villain bent on taking over our world and Tao.
References
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