Nico the Unicorn

I stumbled across this Canadian movie by chance on cable TV. I'd never heard of it, or of Kevin Zegers, but have since became a huge fan of both. It's a simple story of a young boy (Billy Hastings) who moves to a country property with his mother, and acquires a pony, who turns out to have magical abilities. Features fine performances by Kevin Zegers, Ann Archer (as Billy's mother), and Elisha Cuthbert (as Billy's classmate Carolyn). The screenplay is by Frank Sacks, who based it on his children's book of the same name. I was so happy when I found this movie on DVD, and would recommend it to anyone who loves kids/family movies, and of course to any fan of Kevin Zegers.

A Canadian film about a mother and son who move after an accident that has killed the husband/father and crippled the son. Feeling alone and somewhat bitter the son visits the circus only to find a neglected pony. After purchasing the horse he discovers it's pregnant and guess what it gives birth to? A unicorn! Needless to say, life then takes a turn for the better... Charming and touching film, perhaps much better than you'd ever expect, this is great for an older family audience.

When I was in third grade, I picked up the book and fell in love with it!

Now, five years later, I'm flicking through the channels and I see a movie for it! I am now watching it....*hugz Billy and his coolness* one comment on the difference between the book and the movie: I don't think the Carolyn was the same type of girl as she is in the book. (She rides a Vespa scooter in the book and is a lot more of a tough girl) but i love this actress, so I'll make an exception. I haven't read (or seen) the book since, so I don't remember a lot, but wow! I almost forgot about the mountain lions, and about his mom!

As always I try to remind readers when it comes to a film that I review that is based off of a book or some sort of source material and this time around, I am not familiar with the source material that this movie was based on. Nico the Unicorn is a 1998 film (though once again, the internet has different dates when it comes to a US release). The film is based off of the 1996 book of the same name which was written by Frank Sacks who even wrote the story for this film. The film stars Kevin Zegers (known for his role in Air Bud) and the film was directed by Graeme Campbell who is still somewhat active when it comes to directing and is known for some of his Christmas films, a Jay ans Silent Bob film, and a few episodes of Mutant X.

Billy is a kid with a leg disability. He and his mom moved into a house that the mom inherited. It is a new place for Billy. He gets bullied for his disability. One day, he goes to a creature fair and somehow manages to buy a pony which later gives birth to something quite magical.

I will admit, this film is not bad and for some strange reason, I have two copies of this film (one included in a collection and one copy is by itself.). I was expecting this to be a straight up awful unicorn movie. The one film I was able to make a comparison with is Prancer, the 1989 reindeer film. Both films have their similarities. You have a little kid, they discover a magical creature, and they have to keep this creature a secret. With that being said, it is a fairly predictable film with a formula that has been done on more than one occasion. Hell, even the sequel to Prancer, Prancer Returns nearly follows the same formula. So everything is pretty standard but that is not to say that this film is bad. Sure, the unicorn does not pop up nearly half way through the film which is kind of annoying because the film is not all that interesting when there is no unicorn. The acting is done fairly well but I do not find the charcters all too interesting. But again, the acting is done fairly well. The appeal is not all the way there because I am not one that is all for unicorn movies. I just don't watch those type of films. But this film manages to be a light hearted type of film that makes the viewing experience an alright experience.

When it comes to this film, I don't have much to say. It is just an OK film but I do see where this film has it's fans. Am I a huge fan? No, and I do not think that a film like this is looking for any converts but I will recognize when a film is alright and this is one of them.

A mediocre but cute story for children

A crippled boy who lost his father moves with his mother to an inherited house in some Canadian hinterland. As a city child, and also a cripple, he doesn't fit in very well. During a visit to the circus, he decides to save a pony on the verge of death. It turns out to be a female, who soon gives birth to a real unicorn. Now it's up to the boy to protect this magical being from the public eye and a potentially tragic fate if discovered.

A cliche boy-animal story, which doesn't bring even a hint of originality. A film that does not stand out in any way, neither in a positive nor in a negative sense. A variation on a theme that has been chewed over a million times, from which I did not expect anything, so it could not disappoint me. It's quite a decent choice for a lazy afternoon with the kids because all kids love unicorns. If you're not watching with kids, skip.

5/10.