A Unicorn Adventure
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Kids trek to rescue missing explorer dad; mild scares.

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A Unicorn Adventure
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What's the Story?
Mo, 10, and Melody, 13, are two siblings determined to find their explorer dad Charles Willard, an archeologist and adventurer last seen searching for a unicorn in the mountains of Tibet. The kids visit Willard's best friend and colleague, the eccentric and fabulously wealthy Professor Shonku, and together, with robot and other gadgets along, they head off for A UNICORN ADVENTURE to find their dad. The evil Franzotti, Shonku's longtime rival, ever on the hunt for money-making inventions and trinkets, tries to thwart them along the way, sending armed hench-people to steal Shonku's ideas, gadgets, and discoveries, but the plucky crew manages to turn danger into fun challenges every step of the way. Shonku is the ultimate optimist, calm in the face of danger, and eager to see the upside in every setback. Will Shonku and the kids find Willard?
Is It Any Good?
This is a fun and exciting animated adventure for the family. Based on a short story by the famed Bengali filmmaker Satyajit Ray, A Unicorn Adventure values smarts, grit, and perseverance, providing great role models for kids and demonstrating how fun collaboration can be with willing and exciting adults. Professor Shonku takes every opportunity to teach Mo and Melody, who are both apt learners. Animated figures whirling through the sky and sledding through mountain passes offer excitement and mild peril that many kids will find engaging. There's a little danger involved, but everyone ends up safe and unharmed.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether any explorer would ever take real kids on a mission as seemingly dangerous as the one depicted here. Is that why it's fun to watch kids take part in this fictional rescue adventure?
How do you think people prepare themselves to be explorers? What things do you need to learn about where you're going? What knowledge do you need to have?
What equipment would you bring with you on a long trip into the wild?
Movie Details
- In theaters: October 4, 2017
- On DVD or streaming: November 12, 2019
- Cast: John Snyder, David Lodge, Kira Buckland, Kyle Hebert, Max Koch
- Director: Kamal Bansal
- Studio: Lionsgate
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Character Strengths: Courage, Perseverance, Teamwork
- Run time: 92 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: October 8, 2022
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