Warriors of Virtue facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Warriors of Virtue |
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US theatrical poster
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| Directed by | Ronny Yu |
| Produced by | Ronald Law Dennis K. Law Christopher Law Jeremy Law Patricia Ruben Lyle Howry Yoram Barzlial |
| Screenplay by | Michael Vickerman Hugh Kelley |
| Starring |
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| Music by | Don Davis |
| Cinematography | Peter Pau |
| Editing by | David Wu |
| Studio | China Film Co-Production Corporation Law Brothers Entertainment |
| Distributed by | MGM Distribution Co. (United States) |
| Release date(s) | May 2, 1997 |
| Running time | 101 minutes |
| Country | United States China Hong Kong Canada |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $35 million |
| Money made | $6,524,620 |
Warriors of Virtue is a 1997 martial arts fantasy film. It was directed by Ronny Yu, who made his first English-language movie with this film. The movie was a team effort between the United States, China, Hong Kong, and Canada. It stars Angus Macfadyen, Mario Yedidia, and Marley Shelton.
The film is based on characters created by four Chinese-American brothers. These brothers were doctors and had never made a movie before. The story is about a young boy named Ryan (played by Mario Yedidia). He finds a magical world based on the Tao Te Ching, an ancient Chinese book.
In this world, Ryan meets the Warriors of Virtue. They are kangaroos who can stand and talk like humans. Each warrior has special powers from the Tao. They fight against an evil warlord named Komodo (played by Angus Macfadyen). The Irish band Clannad created a song for the movie called "Forces of Nature".
The movie did not do very well when it came out. A second movie, Warriors of Virtue: The Return to Tao, was released in 2002.
Contents
The Story of Ryan's Adventure
Ryan Jeffers has a problem with his leg. This makes it hard for him to play sports and fit in at school. He is the waterboy for his school's football team. Ryan likes to escape into comic books and dream of exciting adventures. He hides how sad he is about his leg from his mom.
One day, Ryan's friend Ming, who owns a restaurant, gives him a special manuscript. This book is about Tao and its five elements: Earth, Fire, Water, Wood, and Metal. Ming tells Ryan to live his life fully, no matter his physical limits.
A Trip to a New World
That night, Ryan and his best friend Chucky meet Brad and his friends. Brad wants Ryan to join their group. They go to a water plant. Ryan is told he must cross a narrow pipe to sign his name on a graffiti wall. Chucky tells Ryan not to do it. But Ryan tries to cross the pipe anyway. A water pipe bursts open, and Ryan falls into the water.
Ryan wakes up in a strange forest. He is attacked, but a creature from a lake saves him. Ryan is scared and runs away. He then realizes his leg works perfectly! He meets a small man named Mudlap. A girl named Elysia then chases Mudlap away. She tells Ryan he is in a world called Tao.
Ryan explains that his special manuscript was stolen with his backpack. Elysia believes it is the "Manuscript of Legend." She takes Ryan to Master Chung. Ryan meets four of the five Warriors of Virtue. They are human-like kangaroos, each representing an element:
- Lai, the Warrior of Wood
- Chi, the Warrior of Fire
- Tsun, the Warrior of Earth
- Yee, the Warrior of Metal
Ryan learns that Yun, the Warrior of Water, left the group after a past fight. Ryan thinks the creature that saved him was Yun. He also believes Yun has the manuscript.
Komodo's Evil Plan
The Warriors explain that Komodo, an evil warlord, betrayed them. Komodo is stealing from the Lifesprings of Tao. These springs help him stay young forever. The Warriors are protecting the last Lifespring. Ryan talks to Elysia and is then captured by Komodo's helpers. Yun saves him. Yun says he does not have the book. Ryan then thinks Komodo must have it. Ryan convinces Yun to return to the Lifespring.
Ryan tries to run away to go home. But Mudlap leads him right into General Grillo's hands. Master Chung saves Ryan again. Yun, Yee, and Chi go after the manuscript. They fall into a trap. Elysia betrayed them because she joined Komodo. She blames Yun for accidentally killing her brother. The warriors barely escape the trap using their skills. They rush back to the Lifespring to warn the others about Komodo's ambush.
Komodo tries to kidnap Ryan. Instead, he fights Master Chung. The battle is fierce. Komodo defeats and kills Chung. Then Komodo takes Ryan away.
The Final Battle
Ryan wakes up at Komodo's palace. Elysia explains why she helped Komodo. She tries to get Ryan to read from the book. She thinks Komodo could then invade Ryan's world for more Lifesprings. Ryan realizes he cannot read the book. This makes Komodo very angry. Komodo tries to attack Ryan. Elysia steps in and is hit by Barbarocious, one of Komodo's followers. Komodo then kills Barbarocious in a fit of rage. Ryan escapes.
Komodo, now very unstable, returns to the Lifespring. He challenges the Warriors to a fight. He splits into five versions of himself. He teases and defeats the warriors. Ryan gets an apology from Mudlap for his betrayal. Ryan then finds a special message in the manuscript. Ryan faces Komodo and tricks him into using his power on him. This weakens Komodo. The warriors then use their powers to purify Komodo's spirit. He becomes a kind man again, and his army is also purified.
Ryan is badly hurt. His friends gather around him. Yee, who has not spoken in many years, thanks Ryan. This surprises everyone.
Back Home
Suddenly, Ryan is back at the water plant. He is standing before crossing the pipe. He realizes that trying too hard to fit in led to his accident. This time, he refuses to cross the pipe. The water pipe bursts open just like before. But this time, Brad is trapped on the other side. Brad insults his friends, but they leave him for the police.
That night, Ryan apologizes to his mother for an earlier argument. When he goes to bed, he offers to tell his dog, Bravo, about his adventure in Tao.
Main Characters and Actors
- Mario Yedidia plays Ryan Jeffers, a young boy with a leg problem.
- Angus Macfadyen plays Komodo, the evil warlord and sorcerer who wants to take over Tao.
- Marley Shelton plays Elysia, a young woman who lives in Tao.
- Jack Tate plays Yun, the Warrior of Water. Scott McNeil is his voice.
- Doug Jones plays Yee, the Warrior of Metal. Doug Parker is his voice.
- Don W. Lewis plays Lai, the Warrior of Wood. Dale Wilson is his voice.
- J. Todd Adams plays Chi, the Warrior of Fire. Doug Parker is his voice.
- Adrienne Corcoran plays Tsun, the Warrior of Earth. Kathleen Barr is her voice.
- Chao-Li Chi plays Master Chung, the wise leader of the Warriors.
- Michael J. Anderson plays Mudlap, a small, dwarf-like creature.
- Dennis Dun plays Ming, the owner of Ryan's favorite restaurant.
- Teryl Rothery plays Kathryn Jeffers, Ryan's mom.
- Rickey D'Shon Collins plays Chucky, Ryan's best friend.
Sequel Movie
A second movie called Warriors of Virtue: The Return to Tao was released on October 22, 2002. It was directed by Michael Vickerman, who helped write the first movie. In this sequel, Nathan Phillips plays Ryan Jeffers. The movie also stars Nina Liu as Amythis, Shedrack Anderson III as Chucky, and Kevin Smith as Dogon, a new villain.
