FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE YET TO SEE UNICORN WARS, THIS IS A NON-SPOILER REVIEW.

Lost in the Reel’s video review for Unicorn Wars

Unicorn Wars is the type of adult animated film that rarely sees the light of day.  A co-production from Spain and France; touted by many as a mix of Happy Tree Friends and Apocalypse Now… this cartoon cacophony will certainly not be for everyone.  But if you can stomach it, Unicorn Wars is a huge treat on so many different levels for lovers of the animation medium.  

WHAT IS UNICORN WARS ALL ABOUT?

The film follows teddy bear brothers Azulin and Gordo (or Bluey and Tubby in the translated version), who spend their days preparing for war at a rigorous boot camp.  Their enemies are the unicorns, who years ago defeated their kind and sent the rest of their race into hiding.  Now, the teddies are ready to set out into the magical forest and settle the score with the unicorns once and for all.

HOW IS THE ANIMATION?

As the movie began, I was immediately awe-struck by the intoxicating color palette and stunning mix of animation styles.  Vazquez has truly put together a work of art, that wears all of its influences on its sleeve.  Unicorn Wars really proves that traditional, non-CG animation still has room to grow, flourish and deserves a place back up on our cinema screens.  

A ROUGH START TO A STRANGE MOVIE…

I do have to admit though, that getting into this movie was a little rough for me.  One moment it is a gorgeous fantasy, then it is an unsettling dark comedy and then a gratuitous war film, and finally a philosophical and psychedelic head-trip.  The only tone that really stays consistent throughout… is that Unicorn Wars is a very, very, very strange movie.  Unfortunately, (the director) Alberto Vazquez takes way too long to find his footing on the narrative and what he is trying to say. And I honestly wouldn’t blame viewers if they completely tune out because of this.  

WHAT THEMES DOES UNICORN WARS TACKLE?

But, I do implore everyone to just keep watching… because as Unicorn Wars unfolds it just gets better and better.  The writer/director has so many layers of thematic material here that are surely better explored upon subsequent viewings.  The film tackles such a wide-range of issues and themes such as body image and substance abuse all the way to religious zealotry and fascism.  It takes a cold hard look at war and human nature.  It asks the viewer; in the throes of battle is there really just one enemy? Or are we all just monsters, one and the same?  

HOW ARE THE LEAD CHARACTERS?

These layers of deeper meaning wouldn’t hit as hard without characters you can feel for.  And Vazquez has created two very different leads in brothers Bluey and Tubby, that really bring all of the writer/director’s ideas full circle.  Tubby is a kind, compassionate, and empathetic creature that is sadly looked at as less than because of his outward appearance.  On the other hand, Bluey is sociopathic, vain, and bloodthirsty… who looks strong on the outside, but begins to show his weakness from within.  Their relationship with one another is beautifully articulated through flashbacks of their childhood… that add refreshing moments of reprieve from the battlefield’s chaos.

HOW GORY IS THIS MOVIE?

Speaking of the battlefield… Unicorn Wars is definitely one of the goriest animated feature films I’ve seen in quite some time.  There are scenes in this film that are disgusting, horrific, and disturbing… and I can see why some reviewers have just written this off as a 90-minute episode of Happy Tree Friends. But, I don’t think that is fair in any way.  While there were times I felt like Vazquez was trying to wring the shock value for all it was worth, there is also a lot of heart and humanity within this movie.  And the creator of Unicorn Wars also proves that he has far more important things to convey, than just showing graphic violence between cute, cuddly creatures.   

IS UNICORN WARS WORTH WATCHING?

All of this leads to a finale that gave me goosebumps and left me with a wide range of powerful emotions.  It is a perfect ending and made me want to immediately go back and watch the whole thing again.  As I said before, Unicorn Wars will not be for everyone.  And honestly, I’m not exactly sure who this movie is for… besides a very niche audience of animation lovers.  But, if you’re looking for something truly unique… a blend of so many different themes, styles, and inspirations… Unicorn Wars is an absolute must-see, that at the very least, will spark some really captivating and colorful discussions.

Unicorn Wars will be In Select theaters & Streaming on PVOD on March 10th, 2023.

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