WHAT’S IT ABOUT
Thelma is a small-time pony who dreams of becoming a glamorous music star. In a pink and glitter-filled moment of fate, Thelma is transformed into a unicorn and instantly rises to global stardom. However, this new life of fame comes at a cost.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
Thelma the Unicorn is a film about being true to oneself, interwoven with themes of overcoming adversity. The story, however, is overly exaggerated, making its messages hard to take seriously. Set in a world where barnyard animals communicate with humans and take on societal roles, including in entertainment, the film centers on Thelma, a pony voiced by Brittany Howard. Thelma aspires to perform at Sparklepalooza, a music festival for animal acts, with her bandmates: a dimwitted llama (voiced by Jon Heder) and a wise donkey (voiced by Will Forte). The plot thickens when a reckless trucker (voiced by Zach Galifianakis) spills paint on Thelma, transforming her into a sparkling unicorn. This leads to immediate fame when a young disabled girl spots her, believing unicorns are real. Thelma’s singing career skyrockets, but she soon faces an identity crisis, shifting from meaningful songs to commercial hits and engaging in empty relationships orchestrated for public consumption. The primary antagonist, Vic Diamond (voiced by Jemaine Clement), is a greedy record label executive who turns Thelma into a sellout. Despite Thelma’s genuine talent, the public only cares about her unicorn appearance. The film critiques the music industry’s obsession with flashy, shallow performances. Despite its worthwhile messages, “Thelma the Unicorn” falls short in charm, humor, and complexity. Its grounded approach might be too obvious for children. The film also misses opportunities to comment on the ethical implications of animals working for human entertainment. The animation is smooth, and the vocal performances are solid, with notable cameos like Galifianakis. The songs are catchy, and the character designs are distinctive. However, the story is predictable and lacks depth, primarily targeting children with its straightforward narrative and simplistic humor. While “Thelma the Unicorn” succeeds as a family-friendly adventure with visually appealing animation and a digestible message about being true to oneself, it lacks the spark needed to engage a broader audience. Its juvenile humor and formulaic plot make it less appealing to adults, who may find the repetition of gags grating.
OUR RATING – A CHILDISH 5