Unaccompanied Minors - A Movie Review

If Christmas is going to happen, us kids are taking a stand.

Unaccompanied Minors is a 2006 film. Following a group of stranded kids at an airport during Christmas, they embark on an adventure to escape to their destination and reunite with their families. They have to put their differences aside and work together.

When I was 11, I watched the trailer and several other clips of Unaccompanied Minors. I wanted to see it in theaters but never had the chance. Over a decade later, I finally watched it as an adult. This film is one wild adventure that contains the usual kid tropes that don’t appeal to adult audiences. Then I wondered - how would I have reviewed this film as a kid?

One of the standout features of the film is its impressive kid cast. Each member brings a unique charm and energy to the screen. Dylan Christopher, Tyler James Williams, Gia Mantegna, and Quinn Shepherd were excellent as the leads. They have distinct personalities and relatable dilemmas.

I could not believe this was the same Tyler James Williams who plays the collective and no-nonsense Gregory on the sitcom Abbott Elementary! As a kid, Williams is a hilarious comedy actor. His bug-eyed expressions made me laugh.

This film is the first non That 70s Show role I’ve seen Wilmer Valderrama in. No matter the age, you must always learn how to stick up for yourself.

Why didn’t Brett Kelly (Beef) have a bigger role? He was a riot in Bad Santa! His scenes were filler. Beef should have been included in the main group. More credits include Lewis Black, Paget Brewster, Rob Corddry, Dominique Saldana, and a few minor appearances by Mindy Kaling, Tony Hale, and Kristen Wiig. It’s a silly movie but everyone has a fun time.

A lot of action happens throughout the film. The kids are always on the run. Unaccompanied Minors has various subplots with the children, parents, or other adults chasing after them.

Visiting several areas in the airport, the kids topple over luggage to escape from the authorities. Although it was an obvious greenscreen in some shots, the sled chase is entertaining.

However, what sets Unaccompanied Minors apart is its commitment to providing genuine laughs and heartfelt moments. The comedy has predictable running jokes you’d see in other films but I was laughing numerous times.

Paul Feig imparts valuable life lessons about friendship, resilience, and the power of standing up for what is right. Friendship is the main theme in Unaccompanied Minors. There's a subtle exploration of the loneliness these unaccompanied minors feel during the holiday season.

Adolescence is a crucial point for making friends. For me, I had a tough time making friends in middle school. Middle school is a weird time. Don’t be afraid to branch out and be the real you.

One of the best scenes in the film is Gia (AKA the popular girl) accepting herself and wearing her glasses. There’s nothing wrong with glasses. When I was 11, I was teased for wearing glasses but I was never ashamed about them. If I had seen this movie at 11, I would have appreciated this.

You always need to look at movies in a different frame, especially as an adult. Unaccompanied Minors is a film about kids taking a stand. This is a fun Christmas movie for kids. It’s good to have movies that you don’t need to take seriously.

Unaccompanied Minors is an amusing film that captures the spirit of childhood. Watch it with your kids this season.