Mechamato Movie is a 2022 Malaysian animatedaction film and a prequel to the animated series Mechamato: The Animated Series. Produced by Animonsta Studios and Astro Shaw with distributed by Astro Shaw, the film is written and directed by Nizam Razak, co-directed by Dzubir Mohamed Zakaria and stars Armand Ezra, Adzlan Nazir, Fadhli Mohd Rawi, Ielham Iskandar, Marissa Balqis, Fazreen Mohd, Hazzley Abu Bakar, and Feroz Faizal. The film follows Amato's first encounter with the MechaBot in a crashed prison spaceship where Amato eventually becomes the MechaBot's new master, leading them to be pursued by the mercenary Grakakus.
Initially announced for a 2021 release, the film was delayed numerous times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This caused the animated series to be released before the movie. The film's release was officially announced in September 2022.
Mechamato Movie was released in Malaysia and Brunei on 8 December 2022 while Singapore and Indonesia released on March 2023 respectively. The film received positive outcome from the artists and critics for the amazing quality and suitable for everyone. Its sequel, Mechamato Movie 2 is officially planned for 2026 release.
Plot
Amato was discouraged by his silat teacher, Tok Sah from using his techniques against his bullies. He takes leave to work on a school project with his friend Pian, an automated drink maker dubbed the Koko-3000.
In a prison spaceship, a group of alienrobots are made to fight in an arena where MechaBot is held within. Power Sphere hunter Grakakus seeks to take control of said spaceship to capture MechaBot as part of his collection of armour-making Power Spheres. A disappointed Pian alerts his father Dr. Aman, the founder of the tech giant DeStar in Kota Hilir, about Comet Aman impacting Earth. In fact, it was the prison which Grakakus invaded and crashed into Earth that happened to be the comet. Amato meets Mechabot passing by the crash site on the way home where Maskmana obtains a sample of the debris. Scared, MechaBot accidentally provokes a fellow inmate, Troket as a warning shot, but Amato escapes with MechaBot's help and leaves behind the Koko-3000, while Grakakus fruitlessly looks for MechaBot.
Amato's father Tok Aba discovers MechaBot, mistaking him for the project Amato was working on. MechaBot demonstrates his abilities to merge objects into his body and pairs with Amato. Suddenly, Troket intercepts them but MechaBot mechanizes a suit of armor with Amato to escape. They fight over a bridge as Maskmana watches. Grakakus interrogates Trocket and finds that Mechabot is with Amato, preparing to take him down like what he did to MechaBot's previous master.
Amato heads to school to confess to Pian about the loss of their Koko-3000. Their class is introduced to the wheelchair-bound girl Amato saved at the bridge, Mara. Amato and MechaBot fail to impress with an improvisation, and Amato shows MechaBot to them after school, narrowly escaping an ambush by Grakakus' robots. Pian tells Mara that his father is behind Maskmana, who proves him otherwise noticing a magazine with Dr. Aman and Maskmana. MechaBot reveals to Amato about Grakakus' plans to capture him leading to him hiding in the prison. Grakakus overpowers Amato joined with Troket, but Sah, as Maskmana saves them at the cost of his right arm.
Aman fixes Mara's wheelchair damaged in the bridge fight as Pian and Mara inform him about the ambush. At DeStar, Amato notices that Aman, Sah and Mayor Andy were behind Project Maskmana, taking turns to fight crime under a secret identity. Sah reveals that the Maskmana suit was made from the same material as the space prison's hull, empowering its self-learning technology. Annoyed that MechaBot escaped, Grakakus upgrades his armor with one of his Power Spheres.
MechaBot unpairs with Amato to not pose as a threat, while Aman plans to use MechaBot's powers to defeat Grakakus before he captures MechaBot. Amato and his friends were pursued by Grakakus' robots who capture Pian and Mara. As Grakakus starts to wreak havoc on Kota Hilir, Aman takes control of Maskmana to distract Grakakus long enough for Amato to reach Mechabot. Grakakus breaks Aman's spinal cord, and demands MechaBot for the release of Pian and Mara.
Amato tries to have Sah fight Grakakus with Mechabot to prove his worth, but declines due to health concerns. He tells him about MechaBot's past and how he considers him as a friend, so Sah cancels the separation allowing Amato to mechanize and defeat Grakakus. Threatening Amato to hand over MechaBot, Grakakus ejects Pian and Mara from his ship, but Aman and Amato save them. Grakakus fails to merge with MechaBot, who subdues him. MechaBot re-mechanizes with Amato as Grakakus is crushed by his own spaceship.
The group visit Aman in the hospital who thanks everyone for saving his life, before Andy informs them about another robot attack, to which Amato sets off for another mission.
In a pair of credits-scenes, an adult Amato orders Ochobot for his son BoBoiBoy.
Cast
Armand Ezra[4] as Amato / Mechamato; A boy with a long mind and quick to solve problems. Has talent in design, but not good at drawing. Martial arts trainees who are willing to outsmart their opponents.
Adzlan Nazir as MechaBot; A red Power Sphera robot that gives its user the power to Mechanize, which means turning random objects into advanced weapons or used as an armor suits. Merge with Amato to become Mechamato.
Fadhli Mohd Rawi as Grakakus; A villanious alien mercenary that searches for the armor-type Power Sphera.
Fadhli also voiced Ravi J; A local journalist
Ielham Iskandar as Pian; Amato's close friend and Mr. Aman's son. Live in luxury but behave like an ordinary person.
Marissa Balqis as Mara; A girl in a wheelchair who just moved to Kota Hilir and attends the same school as Amato and Pian. Her real name was Tamara.
Fazreen Mohd as Tok Sah; Amato's martial arts teacher and Aman's collaborator in the Maskmana project.
Hazzley Abu Bakar as Mayor Andy; Mayor of Kota Hilir and Aman's collaborators in the Maskmana project.
Feroz Faizal as Mr. Aman; Pian's father and the owner of the Destar Corporation. Creator of various high-tech items such as Maskmana suits and weaponry.
Feroz also voiced Troket; Prisoner robot and champion the Space Prison battle arena.
Syabil Syamin as Deep; Amato, Pian and Mara's classmate, who are known for their simple designs but are well received by their teachers.
Syabil also voiced Teacher Jamie; Amato's class design teacher.
Anas Abdul Aziz as Aba; Amato's father and cocoa merchant.
Siti Salwa Samsudin as Umi; Aba's wife and Amato's mother.
Nizam also voiced Bula; A boy who hunts down and persecutes Amato on a schedule.
Azrul Fazlan Hamdan as Bili; Bula's right-hand man.
For additional characters, they were voiced by; Mohd Haziq Ikhwan Abd Rahman as Mr. Sasa, Mohd Rizdzuwan Md Jusoh as Mr. Senin, Irwan Dzafir Sudirman as Mr. Khamis, Mohd Mustazza Abu Hapaz as Uncle Gobi, Muhammad Huzaid Ghazali as Bob, Nur Yasmeen Che Muslim as Mara's mom, Anis Adilia Normuhayat as Mrs. Mah, Nur Yasmin Mohd Khairuddin as Ucu, Raja Nukman Raja Mohd Noordin as Naut; The old owner of MechaBot, Nur Sharmine Md Bakri and Jazliy Abd Ghani as a tourist pair of Anna and Sam and Meor Hizmin Amir Hassan and Norul Nabilah Mohd Yusof as a pair of TV Host.
For citizens, they were also voiced by Rizdzuwan Jusoh, Nur Yasmeen, Raja Nukman, Sharmine Bakri, Nabilah Yusof and Anis Adilla with additional voices by Aema Aezana Zulkafli, Nur Imanina Mohd Ismail, Nornazihah Abdul Kazar, Qatrunissa Shariff, Sakinah Shaharom, Meldanovita Umar, Mohd Azree Mohd Ariffin, Nur Farah 'Ain Syazwani Marzuki, Nur Syakilah Paimin, Amirul Arif Abdul Manaf and Mohamad Ibtisam A Halim. For robots, they were also voiced by Raja Nukman (most character voiced) and Mohd Mustazza with additional voices by Muhamad Nazmeen Mohd Nasir, Shukran Lee, Dzubir Mohamed Zakaria and Amirul Hanafi Abdullah.
In the mid-credit scene, adult Amato was voiced by Irwan Dzafir while Amato's wife who was unseen voiced by Sharifah Sarah Syed Idros and Amato's son (BoBoiBoy) was voiced by Imaad Iskandar.
The production for the movie started as early as 2019, when Monsta revealed the plan for Mechamato on a video for their 2020 plans as a feature-film project, which features the cutscenes from the movie.[5] The movie production was temporarily halted to make way for the production of the animated series first after the movie released was delayed.[6][7]Astro Shaw is confirmed as the investor and distributor, while Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) provided part of the funds and market access for Mechamato.[8] In March 2022, the creator Nizam Razak said that due to the change in the screening sequence, the storyline will be changed a bit compared to the original plan. The movie which was 70% ready needs to be reworked to ensure that the storyline is more oriented towards the 'Origin Story'.[9] In July 2022, they confirmed that they are working on getting the movie dubbed in Japanese, Korean and English. In November 2022, the creator mentioned that the tone of the movie will be more mature than the series.[10] The English version is expected to be completed by March 2023.[8] The initial duration was about 100 minutes, but Monsta extended it to 122 minutes as a result of changes and improvements to guarantee the audience's satisfaction.[8][2] The final Digital Cinema Package (DCP) of the movie has been submitted to the cinemas on 23 November 2022.[11]
Music
The movie's theme song is performed by Yonnyboii titled "Temaniku", which was officially launched on 18 November 2022.[12] Co-composed by Yonnyboii and Fitri Zain, Monsta's Chief Operating Officer Kee Yong Pin expressed his excitement at being able to work with an influential singer who is able to tap into the tastes of today's young generation. This song makes togetherness in achieving a goal as a message and inspiration, no matter if it is for the integrity of the relationship between friends, family, team or special friends.[13] Kee Yong Pin also revealed that the process of making this theme song was done remotely, with MONSTA contacting a young composer from Sabah, Fitri Zain, after being interested in the music on his YouTube channel. Yonnyboii worked on the lyrics and finally, this song was produced, with Fitri Zain never meeting face to face with MONSTA until this film was released.[14]
Marketing
The official trailer was released on 1 January 2021, intended for the release of 2021 before it was postponed. On 8 July 2022, Monsta released the official poster reveal video on their YouTube channel.[15] The final trailer and the official poster were revealed on 8 November 2022, a month before the release.[16][10]
As an effort to promote this film, MONSTA in collaboration with Golden Screen Cinemas and Air Selangor has organized a running event, GSC x Air Selangor Hydro Run which was held on 26 November 2022 at IOI City Mall, Putrajaya.[17] This event was attended by approximately 3,500 participants.[18] GSC also exclusively produced the limited Mechamato figurines and popcorn boxes that the moviegoers can buy.[19] MONSTA also collaborated with 10 Star Cinemas to release an exclusive MechaBot keychain which can be purchased for RM10 each.[20]
On 1 December 2022, MONSTA premiered the first 10 minutes of the movie on Astro On Demand,[21] while the release on YouTube came one day later.[22] MOSNTA also released the first 10 minutes for Japanese dub on their YouTube channel on 16 January 2024 in conjunction with Japan release.[23]
The film was appeared around the 5th minute of the film when Luqman Hariz, an Astro Awaninews anchor reporting the news about missing gold in around RM40 million value in 2024 film The Experts, co-produced by Astro Shaw.[24]
Release
Mechamato Movie was originally planned to be released in 2020, but postponed to 2021.[25][26][27] However, due to uncertainty over the COVID-19 pandemic situation and vaccination, the film was postponed several times, from November or December 2020 to March 2021 to May or June 2021 and finally until end 2021.[28][29] However, plans to release the film earlier than the animated series were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the animated series had already been developed according to schedule which is set to be released in December 2021.[30] The movie would be released after the first season of the animated series or even later, based on the COVID-19 situation.[31] In March 2022, the creator Nizam Razak said that they were confident that they could release the film by 2022, while discussions with the cinemas to get the best slots and screening dates had already begun.[9]
On 8 July 2022, Nizam announced that Monsta is working on getting the release date and shall be released during the year-end school holidays in Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.[32] On 15 September 2022, it has been announced that the movie will be released on 8 December 2022 in Malaysian cinemas.[33] On 9 November 2022, the release of the film in Brunei also on 8 December 2022 has been confirmed, while for other countries, the release would only start from 2023.[8] Although the official release only starts on 8 November, a day-early sneak preview is also available throughout Malaysia.[34] On 21 February 2023, Indonesia's release date has confirmed which is 1 March 2023 with CBI Pictures as the distributor of Indonesia. Then on 2 March, the English version release date has confirmed on 9 March 2023 in Singapore with the dub originally from Miami. For Japan release, Nizam are trying to configure where to release the movie either on cinema or on OTT platform such as Netflix. It was later set to be released on 19 January 2024 in Japanese cinemas distributed by the Aeon Entertainment.[35][36] This film will set to become Malaysia's first animated and Astro Shaw film to release in Japan.[37][38]
Mechamato Movie received a huge positive outcome from critics and artist such from Yusof Haslam, Taufiq Hanafi, Faizal Hussein and many more. Hans Hanis written for Rollo de Pelicula wrote that he was surprised to see the introduction and development of the characters to feel near to them, besides the easy-to-understand story.[49] MalaysiaGazette praises Nizam's maturity on his direction style besides the neat story without a swiping character such as Papa Zola from BoBoiBoy Movie 2 who voiced by Nizam himself. Action on the film also neat without take the long time to settle down.[50] Maira from GamerSantai praises due to perfect introduction of Amato and MechaBot.besides the fast pacing so they don't feel bored or dizzy while watching. She also praise the action that were given and she were even forgot this was a local made animation.[51]
The film were also received positive reaction from Indonesia. Rizka Khaerunnisa for Antara News wrote that the film was served with a simple and easy flow story. She also feels entertaining and calm like animated film for kids and family.[52] Elisabet written for Kompasiana thought that the movie will told about children's robot hero who face evil robots with a simple storyline. Turns out she was wrong about, and left speechless.[53]
Related Research Articles
Keluang Man is a Malaysian comedy superhero animated television series aired on TV1 from 1998 to 2005. Based on the fruit bat, his costume and appearance is based on DC Comics' Batman. It is created by Kamn Ismail, best known for his directorial role in Usop Sontorian. A live-action film adaptation is announced to be in development.
Astro Shaw Sdn Bhd is a Malaysian film studio that has produced films for the local and regional markets and is pursuing expansion into international film investments. It also provides a marketing and distribution services for theatrical and non-theatrical release in Malaysia and abroad.
Geng: The Adventure Begins is a 2009 Malaysian Malay-language 3D animated adventure film. Based on the characters created by Les' Copaque, the film was directed by Nizam Razak from the screenplay of his friend, Anas Abdul Aziz and Ehsan Azharuddin and story by Nizam, Anas and Ainon Ariff who served as producer.
BoBoiBoy is a Malaysian animated series and franchise produced by Animonsta Studios. In this story, a young boy gains superpowers based on the elements, and has the ability to separate into different personas. With his friends, Yaya, Ying, Gopal and Fang, they form a team and fight to protect the Earth from alien threats who aim to conquer the Earth.
Animation in Malaysia has origins in the puppetry style of wayang kulit, wherein the characters are controlled by the puppeteer, or Tok Dalang. The art of shadow play inspired German filmmaker Lotte Reiniger to create the animated The Adventures of Prince Achmed in 1926 that was based on one of the stories in the 1001 Nights. Many of the world's animators have credited Prince Achmed's recognisable style for generating their initial interest in animation as well as in their works.
Animonsta Studios Sdn. Bhd. is a Malaysian animation company that produces creative and visual content for the Malaysian and international market. The company was founded on 15 September 2009 by four former Les' Copaque Production staffs – Mohd Nizam Abd Razak, Muhammad Anas Abdul Aziz, Mohd Safwan Abd Karim and Kee Yong Pin.
BoBoiBoy: The Movie is a 2016 Malaysia animated superhero comedy film directed by Nizam Razak, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Anas Abdul Aziz. It is Animonsta Studios' first feature film, based on their animated TV series BoBoiBoy. The film follows BoBoiBoy and his friends on an adventure on a mysterious island to find Ochobot, who is kidnapped by a gang of alien Power Sphere hunters known as the Tengkotak so that they could locate an ancient Power Sphere that predates Ochobot.
BoBoiBoy Galaxy is a Malaysian animated television series. It is a sequel to BoBoiBoy focusing more on story-based adventures with different arcs every few episodes.
Mohd Nizam Abdul Razak is a Malaysian animator. He is best known as the creator and director of Malaysian animated series, BoBoiBoy and its franchise. He is one of the co-founders and Managing Director of Animonsta Studios, which is based in Cyberjaya. He is a graduate of Multimedia University, majoring in Film and Animation.
Upin & Ipin: The Lone Gibbon Kris is a 2019 Malaysian Malay-language animated adventure film. The film follows the adventure of the twins and their friends in the fantastical kingdom of Inderaloka, where they have to save the kingdom from the evil king called Raja Bersiong. It is the third feature film based on the animated TV series Upin & Ipin by Les' Copaque Production, after Geng: The Adventure Begins in 2009 and Upin & Ipin: Jeng Jeng Jeng! in 2016. With a budget of RM20 million, it is the most expensive Malaysian animation and film ever made.
BoBoiBoy Movie 2 is a 2019 Malaysian Malay-language animated superhero comedy film produced by Animonsta Studios. Directed by Nizam Razak, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Anas Abdul Aziz, it is the standalone sequel to BoBoiBoy: The Movie (2016) and first season of TV series BoBoiBoy Galaxy. The film follows BoBoiBoy and his friends as they fight an ancient villain named Retak’ka, who plans to absorb BoBoiBoy's elemental powers.
Ejen Ali: The Movie is a 2019 Malaysian Malay-language animated spy-fi action film. The film follows a 12-year old spy Agent, Ali, as he embraces his role in MATA, the secret agency, and uncover the secret technology which has threatened the fate of Cyberaya. But unknown to Ali, MATA has also created a new improved version of IRIS, the IRIS NEO, to use the Override at will. While the new device itself begin to use for all agents, Ali question his usefulness to MATA. He is approached by another mysterious person named Niki, who holds a personal connection between Ali. Risking his loyalty to MATA, Ejen Ali will now embarks his thrilling chase to unravel those mysterious links.
Mechamato is a Malaysian animated series produced by Animonsta Studios, focusing on a boy named Amato and his partner robot MechaBot, who fight against bad robots. Mechamato is a part of the BoBoiBoy franchise and the series canonically takes place before BoBoiBoy and BoBoiBoy Galaxy.
Mat Kilau: Kebangkitan Pahlawan is a 2022 Malaysian Malay-language epic biographical action adventure film that is inspired by historical events directed by Syamsul Yusof, starring Adi Putra as Mat Kilau bin Imam Rasu, a Malay warrior who fought the British colonialists during the Pahang Uprising in Pahang, British Malaya before independence. The film features Beto Kusyairy, Fattah Amin, Yayan Ruhian, Geoff Andre Feyaerts and Johan As'ari in supporting roles.
MALBATT: Misi Bakara is a 2023 Malaysian Malay-language military war action film directed, produced and screenplay by Adrian Teh. This film stars Bront Palarae, Shaheizy Sam, Hairul Azreen, Zahiril Adzim, Iedil Dzuhrie Alaudin, Adlin Aman Ramlie, Fauzi Nawawi, Tony Eusoff, Syazwan Zulkifly, Dafi Ismail Sabri, Taufiq Hanafi, Nafiez Zaidi, Dini Schatzmann, Gambit Saifullah, Theebaan G, Safwan Nazri and Ikhram Juhari. It is based on the true story of a Malaysian military operation to help rescue US soldiers trapped in a civil war in Somalia in 1993. The film was released on 24 August 2023 in Malaysia and Singapore.
Keluang Man is an upcoming 2025 Malaysian live-action superhero film based on the eponymous Malaysian animated series by UAS Animation Studio. Produced by Astro Shaw and Pasal Productions, it's a live-action film based on the animated series created by the late Kamn Ismail, and will be the first fully live-action film from a Malaysian animation series of the 1990s. The film will be directed and produced by Anwari Ashraf, who co-wrote it with Roshfaizal Ariffin, Luqman Sheikh Ghazali, Natasha Azlan and Zulaikha Zakaria. It stars Nas Muammar Zar as Keluang Man, Remy Ishak as Shamsir, Rosyam Nor as Ahmad and Anwaar Beg Moghal as Inspector Sahab.
Sheriff: Narko Integriti is a 2024 Malaysian mystery action thriller film directed and screenplay by Syafiq Yusof based on story by his father, Yusof Haslam who also produced the film with co-produced and distributed by Skop Productions and Astro Shaw. Starring Zul Ariffin as the titular character, Syafiq Kyle, Aaron Aziz, Elizabeth Tan and Azira Shafinaz co-starred tne film together.
The Experts is a 2024 Malaysian action crime film directed by Andre Chiew and Nazim Shah with story by Joel Soh who also produced the film and Kyle Goonting, head of production and development at Astro Shaw. Co-produced and distributed by Astro Shaw and TGV Pictures, the film stars Aaron Aziz, Syafiq Kyle, Remy Ishak, Mimi Lana and Ray Dapdap as family members.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
