In the vein of The Forbidden Kingdom and Enter the Warrior’s Gate comes this animated film that marks the final performance of the legendary Christopher Plummer.

Charlie is a young teen in New York City with a major problem. Since his parents have passed away, he finds himself fending for himself and hiding in his parents’ old pawn shop. He is also having issues with local mobster Rizzo, who is owed a debt from Charlie’s parents. However, his life is about to change when he discovers a rare item that opens a portal to an ancient Chinese land called Sanxingdui.

Upon his arrival in Sanxingdui, he finds himself in the middle of a war as Kunyi, an evil warlord, is hoping to find the Jade Blade, a precious sword that can give him control of the martial world. However, the blade’s protectors are an eclectic group of warriors known as the Golden Masks. The masks these warriors wear gives them special powers and Charlie has been chosen to become the fifth Golden Mask, replacing the father of fellow mask Li. However, Charlie sees it as an opportunity to steal the masks so he can attempt to repay the debt to Rizzo. And yet, as Charlie spends more time with the masks, he begins to feel something he hasn’t felt in a long time: a chance to be with a family.

Directed by Sean Patrick O’Reilly, this is a Canadian-Chinese co-production that has similarities to The Forbidden Kingdom and Enter the Warrior’s Gate, in which the films features an American teenager swept into a mystical land where they become the “chosen one” to stop an evil warlord from taking over the land and is assisted by a band of warriors. However, this one is different in terms of the main character. Whereas Jason in TFK and Jack in ETWG, our central character of Charlie, voiced by Kiefer O’Reilly is a homeless teen who struggles to survive after the death of his parents.

The film marks the final performance of legendary actor Christopher Plummer, who plays mobster Rizzo with the director playing his enforcer Thurman. Ron Perlman plays the warlord Kunyi, who seeks the Jade Blade in hopes to become the supreme ruler of the land. As for the Golden Masks themselves, Natasha Liu Bordizzo’s Li is reminiscent of Tigress of Kung Fu Panda as she is the one who has the most trouble dealing with Charlie’s involvement in the war. The half-man, half-fish Atlantean Aesop is well played by the great Patton Oswalt, who attempts to bond with Charlie and keep the peace between the Masks. Byron Mann and Osric Chao round out the group as the tough as nails Jiahao and the shapeshifting Zhu, who can change into an animal of the Chinese Zodiac.

Heroes of the Golden Mask is a nice little family gem that fans of The Forbidden Kingdom and Enter the Warrior’s Gate may end up enjoying. Those who are fans of Christopher Plummer may want to see his final performance. Overall, a family film worth checking out.

WFG RATING: B+

Gravitas Ventures presents an Arcana Studios/CG Bros Productions/Trigger Music production. Director: Sean Patrick O’Reilly. Producers: Sean Patrick O’Reilly and Michelle O’Reilly. Writers: Jim Kammerud, Brian Smith, and Yao Xiaoming; based on the novels by John Wilson. Editing: Jason Cooper.

Voice Cast: Kiefer O’Reilly, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Patton Oswalt, Byron Mann, Osric Chau, Ron Perlman, Christopher Plummer, Sean Patrick O’Reilly, Zeus Mendoza, Kingston Chan, King Lau, Jack Gillett, Albert Steven Tsai.

The film will be released on Digital on June 9 from Gravitas Ventures.