Watch Unicorn City

Unicorn City is a comedy film from 2012 that tells the story of a dreamer and gamer, Voss (Matt Mattson), who lives in a world of his own. A world where he is a hero and idealized version of himself, Frodo the Ranger, and where he is in pursuit of his ultimate goal – becoming the Game Master of a mythical medieval game called Demons, Dragons, and Dungeons.

Voss is an unemployed 25-year-old who spends most of his time immersed in the world of fantasy and gaming with his best friends, Marsha (Jaclyn Hales), and Jared (Steve Berg). His mother (Missy Hill) is on his back to get his life together, but Voss is content with his current lifestyle and has no real plans for his future until one day, Marsha suggests that they make their fantasy game into a reality. This idea leads them to create a LARP (Live-Action Role Play) organization in their small town of Little Athens, Utah, called Unicorn City.

The idea behind Unicorn City is that the gamers who want to live out their medieval fantasies through Demons, Dragons, and Dungeons will have to go through a rigorous application process to become members. They have to prove that they are worthy of joining by being able to follow strict rules, acting the part, making their own costumes and weapons, and going through various challenges. The person who excels at these challenges and earns the most "merit badges" will become the ultimate prize – the Game Master.

Voss sees this as his chance to fulfill his ultimate dream of becoming the Game Master, so he recruits his friends and fellow gamers to join him in creating Unicorn City. As they begin to advertise their organization, they encounter a stumbling block when they get a cease-and-desist order from the real owners of Demons, Dragons, and Dungeons. But Voss and his friends are not easily deterred, and they decide to fight back by holding a competition to determine who the real Game Master should be. They soon find out that they are not the only ones who are passionate about the game, and they face stiff competition from the local chapter of a rival group, the "Fellowship of the Sun."

Unicorn City is an excellent example of an indie film that has a lot of heart and soul. The story is witty and imaginative, and the acting is top-notch. The film draws you in with its quirky characters, witty dialogue, and hilarious plot twists as it takes you on a journey of self-discovery and overcoming obstacles.

One of the standout performances in Unicorn City is Jon Gries, who plays Shadowhawk, a reclusive gamer who lives in the woods and who serves as a mentor to Voss. Gries brings a depth and complexity to his character that elevates the film and gives it an added layer of emotional resonance. Another standout is Matt Mattson, who plays Voss with a perfect blend of naivete, determination, and humor. His performance is authentic and relatable, making him the perfect protagonist for this story.

The film's direction by Bryan Lefler is also noteworthy for its ability to capture the essence of LARPing and the world of gaming in a visually stunning and entertaining way. The choreography of the LARP battles is impressive and shows off the creativity and skill of the actors and stunt performers involved.

Overall, Unicorn City is a delightful and humorous film that provides a fresh perspective on the world of gaming and LARPing. Its endearing characters, clever plot, and entertaining performances make it a must-see for anyone who loves a good underdog story.

Unicorn City is a 2012 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5.