BURBANK, Calif., June 5, 2003 – The biggest boys franchise* is coming to life as BIONICLE: MASK OF LIGHT premieres only on DVD and video on September 16. An epic thrill ride filled with good and evil, darkness and light, heroes and villains, BIONICLE: MASK OF LIGHT features action-packed adventure in an all-new, full-length CGI animated film. Presented by the LEGO® Company and Miramax Films and distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment. Available for $29.99 (S.R.P.) for DVD; $19.99 (S.R.P.) for VHS.

On the DVD, BIONICLE: MASK OF LIGHT includes a host of exciting bonus features that give both fans and audiences new to BIONICLE an opportunity to explore this film’s unique biomechanical universe. (Please see attached for a list of DVD bonus features.)

“BIONICLE may have captured the hearts and minds of millions of 12 year-old boys in the US and abroad but I still count myself among the brand’s biggest fans,” says Jeff Tahler, Miramax Films vice president of acquisitions. “We can’t wait to see the reaction from all our fans to this film,” adds Bob Thompson, Create TV and Film, Executive Producer on behalf of the LEGO Company. “All I can say is that viewers are in for an unbelievable experience.”

BIONICLE: MASK OF LIGHT DVD BONUS FEATURES

*Making of BIONICLE: MASK OF LIGHT
-This documentary features information fans will want to know about the BIONICLE universe and how the filmmakers brought it to life.

*MATA NUI Explorer
-Players can use their DVD remote to explore the paradise island of MATA NUI. Here they will learn about its various diverse villages and the characters that live there.

*Wall Of History
-In this mode, viewers will be able to watch the movie and get brief backstory information whenever the BIONICLE historical icon pops up on the screen.

*Commentary
-The filmmakers comment on the making of the movie and provide inside information about the characters and the story.

*Sneak Peek At The 2004 Storyline
-Introduces the new BIONICLE story and characters.

*Storyboard-To-Film Comparison
-A sequence of the movie is shown through storyboards synchronized with the film.

Street Date: September 16
Direct prebook: July 22
Distributor prebook: August 5
Feature running time: Approximately 70 minutes
Rating: Not yet rated
DVD aspect ratio: Family friendly widescreen 1.66:1 – enhanced for 16×9 televisions
Sound: Dolby® Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

BIONICLE BACKSTORY AND MASK OF LIGHT SYNOPSIS

In the time before time, the great spirit MATA NUI brought the MATORAN tribes to inhabit his island paradise. The MATORAN thrived under his protection and even named the island in his honor.

But a shadow soon fell over the land. The dark spirit MAKUTA grew jealous of what his brother, MATA NUI, had created. And so he cast a spell that caused MATA NUI to fall into a deep sleep. MAKUTA’S power soon dominated the land yet all hope was not lost. Legends spoke of six mighty heroes, the TOA, who would arrive to save MATA NUI from MAKUTA. Events would reveal these myths to be true – for the TOA did appear to defend the islanders from the darkness.

Each TOA has an elemental power: fire, water, air, ice, earth, and stone. And together they shared one destiny: to find the great masks of power in order to defeat MAKUTA and save MATA NUI.

In MASK OF LIGHT, they face their greatest challenge yet: to help a reluctant MATORAN, named TAKUA, and his brave companion, JALLER, find the legendary SEVENTH TOA. This TOA OF LIGHT is destined to end the threat of MAKUTA, but to find him TAKUA, JALLER and the six TOA will have to overcome dangerous creatures called the RAHKSHI and face MAKUTA himself.

THE BEGINNINGS OF BIONICLE

BIONICLE-the confluence of “biological” and “chronicle”-was created by a team of talented designers and storytellers who work (and play) at the celebrated, Denmark-based LEGO Company. Inspired by the folklore of many exotic cultures, the team designed a rich and complex universe of mystery and mythology, which continues to enthrall millions of fans around the world.

BIONICLE came into existence in December 2000, first as an interactive website and a series of comic books-and shortly thereafter in 27 different but interconnecting additional media platforms, including an innovative new line of toys from the LEGO Company. Adventures, characters and clues revealed on one platform enhanced the experience on another.

By August of 2001, the toy line was outselling every other action figure on the market. Six months later, it was recognized with two Toy of the Year awards, including “Most Innovative Toy” and “Best Boy Toy of the Year” by the American Toy Association.

Based in Billund, Denmark, the LEGO Company, family-owned and privately-held since its founding in 1932, is a world leader in providing quality products and experiences that stimulate
children’s creativity, imagination and learning through playful activities that encourage hands-on,
minds-on creation, fun, togetherness and sharing of ideas. Company employees are guided by the motto adopted in the 1930s by founder Ole Kirk Christiansen: “Only the best is good enough.” For more information, visit www.LEGO.com or www.BIONICLE.com .

Miramax Films, founded by Bob and Harvey Weinstein in 1979, has released some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful independent feature films of the past fourteen years, with a record fourteen Best Picture nominations over the past eleven consecutive years: Chicago, Gangs of New York, The Hours, In the Bedroom, Chocolat, The Cider House Rules, Shakespeare In Love, Life Is Beautiful (La Vita É Bella), Good Will Hunting, The English Patient, Il Postino (The Postman), Pulp Fiction, The Piano and The Crying Game. Miramax releases have also earned eighteen Best Foreign Language Film nominations including: Amélie, Life is Beautiful, Kolya, Mediterraneo and Cinema Paradiso.

Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc., is a recognized industry leader. Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc. is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax, Dimension and Buena Vista videocassettes and DVDs.
* NPDFunworld TRSTS – Toy Industry Insights, Oct. 2002