Unicorn Wars

This darkly beautiful terror animation is really inspired by old stories and magic worlds . Some time ago , unicorns roamed the planet. They were free, until a slimy monstrosity engulfed most of them. Currently, Azulín and Gordi, two motherless bears, are indoctrinated into a premature army in order to wage a war against the unicorns , which ended at a mysterious world , the psychedelic terrors of the Magic Forest. Then the war-hungry teddy bears journey from bootcamp to the woods in order to liberate the magical forest . A forest where some evil unicorns remain, of which, as the prophecy says, whoever drinks the blood of the last unicorn will become eternal and beautiful . Something that Azulín wants at all costs. A wish that will lead to a war against unicorns. A decisive war: 'Unicorn wars'.

This wonderful film is plenty of fantasy , adventures , drama, spectacular combats and with enjoyable messages . This magnificent cartoon movie concerns ancient legends and magic worlds . The picture is narrated with sensibility and sense of wonder and quite entertaining , though isn't apt for small kids but contains graphic violence , blood , gore and guts . In this riveting and marvelous cartoon movie there's a deep critical against bloody wars and the encroaching civilization. 'Unicorn wars', by Alberto Vázquez, is an animated film that is sometimes fun , visually tender and narratively raw . A crudeness that , in our times, we have become accustomed to, since what is good, what is beautiful and what is adorable, even if it is bad, is well received. This is a very rare and offbeat movie with a traditional as well as naif animation. It is a sui-generis film with plenty of fantasy , adventure , ecological message and disturbing , at times . The film is really influenced by the Japanese Anime and especially by the fantastic atmosphere created in ¨Mononoke princess¨ (1997) directed by the genius Hayao Miyazaki and others as ¨Chihiro¨ or ¨My neighbour Tororo¨ Director Alberto Vázquez gives his most notable contribution, that sometimes has Catholic overtones , it is a new , surprising mythology , as he creates an amazing world and giving his critical view of it . An adult film , that's why it's more adequate a rating PG : Parents Guide than a children film , due to contain graphic violence , horror moments , bloody attacks , strong fights , and some creepy scenes . A decent film based on an interesting script by director Alberto Vazquez himself . Adding a thrilling musical score and colorful cinematography accompanying appropiately the story's development .

The motion picture was original and competently written/directed by Alberto Vazquez who formerly directed Psiconautas, los niños olvidados (2015) made in similar style . This bizarre and outlandish cartoon movie Unicorn Wars won deservedly a large number of Awards and nominations, such as : CinEuphoria Awards 2023 Winner CinEuphoria Best Animated Film International Competition : Alberto Vázquez , Best Director Iberian Competition , Nominee CinEuphoria Best Film - International Competition Chelo Loureiro , Iván Miñambres , Alberto Vázquez , Best Animated Character - International Competition For the character "Azulin" , Best Animated Character -International For the haracter "Gordi". Días de Cine Awards 2023 Winner : Best Animated Feature Film Alberto Vázquez. Feroz Awards, ES 2023 Nominee Feroz Arrebato Award Fiction Alberto Vázquez . Goya Awards 2023 Nominee Goya Best Animated Film : Chelo Loureiro , Iván Miñambres , Nicolas Schmerkin and Best Original Song Joseba Beristain "Batalla"

Before saying more, warning : this very very VERY NOT for children!

I don't ever write reviews, but this one has so few views that I feel I should contribute.

I'll try to not spoil it for you.

Visually beautiful animation, real eye candy. I'm not familiar with Spanish animation so really didn't know what to expect, but this is comparable with Japanese animation, visual and content wise, excellent.

It's not just Full Metal Jacket meets Care bears, it's much more.

It's very deep and very disturbing story which takes ideas from before mentioned Full Metal Jacket, Trainspotting, Apocalypse Now, Requiem for a dream, Mother!, Dark Knight(?) etc., books East of Eden, 1984 (two minute hate), from Tolkien (mystical nature and creatures, silently lurking evil) and from Bible (Cain and Abel, Genesis...) and packs it into beautiful and unimaginably brutal Care bear world.

It packs so many distilled dark and disturbing ideas into one pot, then softens it and dissolute them with beauty and goodness, but not in a bad way, just enough to be digestible and lets it slowly cook... Until in the end we get meal which lets us taste that all of those atrocities and all of that good and beautiful in the end makes ourselves... and monkeys worship and follow...

Definitive recommendation, but you got to have mind and stomach for it.

Unicorn Wars is an animated film that really caught my attention with its striking visuals and darker take on fantasy. The story is set in a divided world where bears and unicorns are at odds, and we follow a group of bear soldiers on a dangerous mission into the enchanted forest. What's interesting is how the film balances beauty with brutality - the forest is magical but also full of harsh realities.

The animation style stands out - it mixes classic hand-drawn techniques with some experimental visuals, which gives the movie a unique look that fits its mature themes. Speaking of themes, Unicorn Wars doesn't shy away from exploring heavy topics like war, nature, and the blurry lines between good and evil. It's definitely meant for adults who can appreciate something more complex than your usual animated story.

While the main plot revolves around the conflict between bears and unicorns, I appreciated how the film took time to develop its characters and their complicated relationships. It's not just about the battle; it's about what's happening beneath the surface.

Overall, I'd give it a solid 7 out of 10. It's not perfect, but it's thought-provoking and visually impressive - definitely worth a watch if you're into darker, more mature animation.

Think about something like "Care Bears" but with a direct and unfiltered anti-war message that feels as honest as it can possibly get. If you can get on board with this idea, you're in for a good time.

While it is true that the movie suffers a few problems when it comes to pacing and tonal shifts, I can honestly say that this has been an incredibly fun and fascinating experience.

I also feel obliged to say this: Unicorn Wars is an incredibly well animated movie!

It has some of the best animated sequences I've seen in years, and I wouldn't be surprised if future animation teachers start using this movie as a reference for their assignments.

As one reviewer here on IMDB put it, 'Unicorn Wars' is what happens when Care Bears meet 'Full Metal Jacket'. But it is more than just that. The art style is beautiful at times and you really have to admire the director's and writer's, who happens to be the same man called Alberto Vázquez, creativity.

There is not much to add here besides what I said in the introduction. I am excited to see more films based on this style and direction so Alberto Vázquez, if you are reading this, por favor haz más películas como esta.

This adult animated Spanish film is way better than I ever expected it to be at first glance. I particularly liked the ending but it is definitely worth checking out for the beautiful animation alone.