TA and SS Review/Follow-Up Thingy (Finally): Rainbow Rocks! · 11:27am Nov 14th, 2014
You know, I could make so many jokes and just go full narcissist on you guys. I could spend the whole blog making comments like "Oh that's cute, someone tried to make Long Road to Friendship into a movie" or "Long Road to Friendship is the story Rainbow Rocks wishes it was." But, I fear karma, so I'll keep my narcissistic jokes to a bare minimum.
You realize you're like a month late with this, right?
Better late than never! I've been busy! Here to join me in this follow-up is none other than Sunset Shimmer, or at least, her persona from LRtF (Because I got there first, DHX, I got there first!)
Coughcough, narcissist, cough!
Right, done. Totally done.
Anyway, for those of you just joining us or have forgotten since our blogs for Season 4, our goal is not to over-analyze or nitpick every little detail, but to break down the story, point out what we like, what we dislike, and while we do pause to put some thought into things, we try not to go overboard. Of course, I will be heavily critiquing this Rebecca Shoichet who thinks she can play me.
And now, let's Rock!
It's going to be a long review.
Prepare for trouble. Make it... triple.
Hoodies, dark shading, red glowing necklaces. Guess we aren't going for subtly. Going out on a limb here and guessing these are our antagonists.
If you couldn't figure that out, I pity you.
Best face contest is go!
So, sounds like these three have been here a while. Wonder what rock they've been hiding under?
Was it really that dramatic?
Looks familiar, huh, Sunset?
Shut up!
Also, first nitpick: Why does it look like Twi and Co. are a football field apart from Sunset? They were literally feet from each other, but from this angle, it looks like a good hundred yards at the least. My depth perception is bad, but it isn't that bad.
I welcome our new rainbow overlords.
Looks like Adagio has a plan. Reminds me that I was totally saying her name wrong before I heard it in the movie. Don't ask me how.
Well now I wanna know.
And, queue opening credits! ...(A-di-a-go)
Two proteges battle for a magical crown.
Hmm, why does that sound familiar?
And here's where everything went wrong. (or right)
Picking pictures from the opening credits was hard because they're all so awesome! And don't get me started on that music! Eargasm all day!
You disgust me.
Who's that demon?
Addendum. You disgust and infuriate me.
I do it because I care!
And we all know how the battle ended.
Does anyone else think their arms look... wrong? They look way too thin for their bodies. And they look like noodles. Noodles! Whatever, I'm done.
Sunset trying to help looks so adorable.
Why would I waste my time helping those three paint a poster? With their luck, it'll probably burst into flames.
All right, so this movie isn't entirely fiction.
It's a pretty accurate portrayal of how the school views me. Luckily, none of them are dumb enough to say it to my face.
Sunset and the Canterlot High Five.
What about that? Is that an accurate portrayal?
I don't know, maybe. Fluttershy is pretty helpless sometimes.
What will it take to make you admit you care?
And we're moving on.
That wasn't what I had in mind.
So, Canterlot High is set to host a musical showcase. And conveniently, all the mane characters know how to play an instrument. Though I guess the tambourine isn't too hard to play. Anyway, the all powerful Principal Celestia brings up the Fall Formal (which, according to official sources was a few months ago, more on that later) which of course, brings up some bad memories for all involved.
Way to show tact, Celestia! And that is not how I look when I blush.
Yeah it is.
Braaaaaains.
Leave it to Pinkie to kick salt in a wound. I'm well aware of how badly that night turned out, thank you very much.
And queue first band montage! ... Meh, I'm skipping through most of this one. Song was all right.
This is the only important thing.
Anthro Moprhin' Pony Players! So, music makes their magic come back. Not objecting to it, in fact, I like that they still have the Magic of Friendship. But why? Why music? Is there any other way they can make their magic come out? Important questions for me!
And again, convenient that they all know how to play an instrument. Just saying.
"Darling, your overbite is showing."
Dash's ego. Now back and better than ever! Promises to at least give some good faces though.
Heeeeeeee's back!
Uuuuuughh.
A sound echoed by bronies everywhere! Still don't hate him. Is he pointless? Yes. Do I hate him? Nah. Feel kinda bad that he was so neglected by the writers.
He's an idiot. Don't feel bad for him.
Also confirmed that yes, Sunset was just dating him to get more popularity. Makes sense to me.
Again, great subtly.
So, Sunset decides to show the new kids around the school before they can hear any certain rumors about her. First critical question of the movie: if they saw the showdown between Sunset and the mane 6, which took place months ago, why are they only just now showing up? I think we established with Twilight, you don't need any proper documents to get into this school.
Maybe for her. Do you know how many papers I had to forge to get into this school?
Stop doing that. Stop doing that right now!
Aww, but you look so cute, Sunset. So does Sonata. Sonata is indeed quite cute.
Go cuddle your Pokemon plushies.
And, Sonata is best Dazzling.
U wot m8?
Adagio's face. I don't know why, but that might be the best face in the entire movie. Seriously, I don't think anyone's eyes can get any smaller. That's just the best 'I'm gonna cut you' face ever.
So, musical showcase, evil plan forming, blah, blah, blah. At least Sunset has a suspicion that something is off with them.
Yeah, this Rebecca is a little slow. My evil detectors were going 'weewoo weewo'o a long time ago!
obligatory 'taco Tuesday' meme.
If you pull a Starscream, I swear to Starswirl...
More awesome faces. Adagio is determined to win something in this movie. I'd also really love to explore the relationship between these three. I can see it as a very complex love-hate sort of thing. Clearly, Adagio has the power, Aria wants the power, and Sonata is just along for the ride, but I just know there's something really complex underneath the surface. A fic for later time permitting.
"You can tell by the way I walk..."
Admittedly, I think the Dazzlings do have some of the better songs in this movie.
Trixie doesn't know what to be feeling right now.
And in the background, Sweetie has her shipping goggles on.
I like how, Adagio looks genuinely happy in this shot. The other two looks sinister happy. Adagio looks like a child going out for ice cream. It's oddly cute.
Not sure if evil or... no wait, pretty sure evil.
She's just now figuring that out? Man, she's slow.
Excuse me, how long did it take for you to figure out that a certain someone might have a crush on you, hmm?
...
Let the battle begin.
Does anyone else notice the green smoke? I'm guessing the girls do, but no one else? Bueller?
"No offense."
Calling me a power crazed Lunatic? Oh sure, none taken, totally cool.
Not.
Also a valid entry for Best face, buuut, Adagio is kinda killing it right now.
Well, we're doomed.
Wait... hold on... so they just... accepted everything that happened at the Fall Formal at face value? They casually talk about magic like it's no big deal. Did they seriously just go "okay, that was a thing" and move on?
I... I don't know how to respond to that.
I need to think on that one.
Poor Sunset can't catch a break.
This gag is old already. Come on, Rebecca, don't be afraid to get a little aggressive! It works in the long run if they stop making comments about you-know-what.
Have I mentioned that Sunset also has the best cutie mark?
So, Sunset has a magical journal—
I do?
—that can communicate with another book in Celestia's library—
it does?
—and serves... what purpose up until now? I mean, by the way it sounds, Sunset writes in one book and it appears in another. But if Celestia gave it to Sunset while she was studying under her, why would Sunset need to use it? They were in the same castle! If Sunset had moved to Ponyville or something maybe it would make sense, but she obviously never used it to talk to Celestia while she was here on Earth.
I hate to say it, but this really seems like more of a plot convenience than anything.
Meanwhile in the hall of friendship Equestria...
Okay, at the end of Season 4, I was fine with the castle and thought people were being too harsh on it saying it was ugly and stuff. But... seeing it now, how it really sticks out like that... it is really, really gaudy.
Hippocampi. Don't ask me where I learned what those were.
So, we learn from good old Purple Smart about the true nature of the Sirens. Magical creatures with super voices that feed off negative energy and were banished by badass Starswirl the Bearded. However, that brings me to my next question.
So, they sing to start turmoil, then feed off the energy of said turmoil? Then how the heck did they lose originally? They have, literally, a self-perpetuating cycle of endless food! They sing to make tension, feed off the tension, get stronger and then feed some more. Starswirl must have been uber powerful to banish them, but then that means they've been here for a while. Do you know how much tension they could have fed off of from across history? They should be all powerful by now!
Rant over.
Twilight casually hacks space-time.
So, the magic from a book, opens up a portal between worlds? You know what, sure, fine. Why not? Let's just roll with it. And to prevent paradoxes, only Twilight and Spike get to go through. That one makes sense I suppose.
Meanwhile, Pinkie tries for best (poker) face.
Looks who's back.
Seriously? You're going to give me a whole speech on friendship, pull me out of a crater and leave me with your friends to turn my life around, but when I try to hep you up, you think I'm plotting something? There's a reason I still hate you.
Hmph. Didn't want to be part of the stupid hug anyway.
And again.
For the love of..! Yes, I get it! I turned into a raging she-demon! You were there, I was there, we all were there! Can we stop bringing it back up! Seriously! Come on, Rebecca, punch her, just once!
Ahem. Well, looks like the girls have a plan to stop the Dazzlings. Using the tried and true method of Friendship. Yep, what could possibly go wrong? Wait.. we still have like, forty minutes of airtime left...
Oh, so we're filling it with Flashlight shipping. All righty then.
Dammit, there are too many places in this scene for good commentary. Unfortunately, I don't have that kinda time, so I'll get to the point.
Feel the friendship!
Are you feeling it yet? How about now, are you feeling it? I'm feeling something, but it's not friendship.
I have an accurate idea of what she's thinking.
I don't know them, I don't know them, I don't know them, I don't know them.
They see it, right? They see it... right?
Well that plan backfired brilliantly. Apparently friendship does not solve all your problems. Who knew? Guess it's back to the drawing board. Too bad, I was looking forward to Flashlight.
Uh-huh, now say it with a straight face.
I can't.
I stopped on this picture and I just burst out laughing. I don't even know why. Maybe it's just Adagio's face. It's always her face.
Always.
Ugh, she reeks of needy desperation.
So, after a spectacular fail, they all lick their wounds and try to come up with a new plan. A musical counterspell? Males sense to me. I don't why Rebecca needs some sort of self-validation.
And stop muttering 'shipping fuel' under your breath!
Wah? Don't know what you're talking about.
"She's the one with the magical know-how."
And now, I'm portrayed as invisible. I have magical know-how too!
And in a double-whammy, Twilight is picked over Sunset to be in the band, and replaces Rainbow as lead singer. Talk about princess privileges. I can't tell who's more upset. Though I have to wonder, did they even ask Sunset at any time if she wanted to be in the band?
Probably not. Not like I wanted to be in a stupid band anyway. Stupid.
Party at Pinkie's!
You know... this kinda seems familiar....
...All right, even I have to admit... I look pretty cute in that photo.
I swear, I've seen this before...
It's on the tip of my brain...
I thought you said you weren't going to do this.
I said I would keep it to a bare minimum. I mean, come on! They're making it so easy!
The light makes it look like Twilight's blushing!
I mean sure, it's not an exact translation, I mean it deviates quite a bit. But still! Halloween sleepover anyone? All we need is Sunset to have nightmares and it'll be perfect!
No!
It's like I'm psychic or something!
Fun fact: Twilight can't sing under pressure.
So this is the accumulation of a hard night's effort? Tone deaf dolphins would hate this song.
Should have asked for my help when you had the chance.
-Looks over blog- Damn, this thing is long. And we're only halfway through the freaking movie! If I had the time, or the room, I'd stuff this thing with every great face and try to caption it, but since I don't, I'll try to keep to the important scene. Key word: try.
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band called Rarity. They want their pleats back.
I'm with Applejack on this call. Rarity looks great and all, but is that really important when they're trying to save the school from being brainwashed? I know Rarity loves fashion, but priorities geez! Kinda just feels like the writers just needed something for her to argue about. Worse things to pick I guess.
On another note, the Rainbooms have to change their plan again. Of course, it wouldn't be a very exciting movie if they beat the Dazzlings in the first round, but I do kinda like the fact that they're failing so far. We know they're going to win, the question is how.
Vinyl can't hear you over all that wub.
Aaaaaand we're skipping the Snips and Snails rap. It wasn't as bad as Spike singing the Cloudsdale National Anthem... but it was still pretty bad.
Nothing can top the anthem...
Wait! I lied.
I really can't tell who has the better expression here. Trixie's smirk is delicious, but Flash just got so many points for best 'wat' face. I'm pretty sure that was my expression while watching this.
Rarity, it's Shake Your Tail, not flail your arms.
Okay... so Applejack is noticing. I see Applejack noticing. But what, does she not care that her best friend is playing puppet? More importantly, does anyone else see this? I mean, sure most of the other students probably don't care, but still, Celestia and Luna should be doing something about it!
I'm reaffirmed in the idea that I'm the smartest person in this school.
You didn't do anything either!
Marry me!
'Kay, moving on.
Is that seriously considered an instrument?
Okay, so honestly speaking, I preferred it when Derpy stuck mostly to the background in a fun Where's Waldo kinda way. Sometimes, really throwing her in there at the forefront just feels like fans service.
This is not one those times.
She fits perfectly here. And dammit, her human form is absolutely adorable! Also, does that redhead remind anyone else of Lauren Faust?
Ship is sinking! All five people, find a lifeboat!
Hey look, Flash has a real moment of personality! And he's a dick!
I think I prefer this Flash compared to the usually dumb one.
Oh, so Rebecca can play me as cool.
Remember: the last two guys that met Sunset in a dark alley ended up with a butt whupping. I'm sure the Dazzlings are in for a major thrashing...
Or... not.
Low blows.
Still winning.
Too add insult to injury... The Dazzlings pull off another great song. Like really... listing to all of them again... the Dazzlings have superior vocals. Maybe it's because they're Sirens.
Or maybe we're just under their spell.
Hahahahahahaha!
Damn, Rainbow.
Octavia didn't fall so much as she was launched. I mean, even Twilight looks shocked. Of course, Rainbow doesn't need magic to boost her ego.
Sweetie looks insane.
Seriously, what's with her eyes in this movie?
And the band slowly falls apart...
Hmm, isolated from my only friends while they argue amongst themselves? That sounds like something you would have explored.
That is actually something I really wanted to do...
Awesome as I Wanna Be... or the most egotistical song in existence.
I mean, even Fluttershy is like 'I can't stand your crap right now.'
So here we are in the semifinals and Twilight... still hasn't finished the counterspell. Meanwhile, The ever lovable Trixie has severely goaded Dash to reach new levels of obnoxious.
No, that's actually about normal for her.
Sunset used Double-Edge!
Right, so yeah. Showing off magical pony powers is a big no-no. I forget why. I mean, what exactly are the Dazzlings going to do? They feed off of negative energy, not magic as a whole. I mean, yeah I guess I understand holding all your cards until the end, but I don't think playing them down would have done much of anything.
Anyway, nice tackle, Sunset.
Yep, that brings back memories.
And here we see Flash's bitterness towards their broken relationship.
"Now there's the bad girl we love to hate!" Hmm.... no.
"Now there's the bad girl we hate to love!" Whoops, nope.
"Now there's the bad girl we love to love! Perfect!
What can I say? I'm good at being bad.
Me on a normal day... except without the blushing.
"I'm sorry, is our sexiness a distraction?"
Once again, Sunset is the only one who notices something weird is going on. But in all fairness, who is she suppose to turn to? Everyone else is brainless and her friends are about to kill each other.
...So it's Tuesday?
Careful, Trix, your face will get stuck like that... might be an improvement.
And in a surprise decision, The Rainbooms win the semifinals! Cheating was totally not involved! Poor Trixie.
"Whoops, my bad."
Messing with the sound? Now that's something I would expect out of you.
That is also something I really wanted to do.
Minor question: how much time has passed over the course of this movie? The semifinals and finals are on the same day, but what about the rest of the showcase? Eh. Unimportant I guess.
Well, that's convenient.
First off: why is the lever just there? I mean, it's really just out there on the stage. And second: wasn't Sunset standing by the sound booth? I'm nitpicking now, aren't I? Okay moving on, the thing that gets me is, and maybe it's just my eyes, but Fluttershy looks... broken. Like, I can't tell where her lower body is, it looks all over the place.
Anyway, our heroines have fallen into a convenient trap with only Spike to save them.
Ha! They're doomed.
...
Stop.
Stop everything.
That face.
That face just won everything. Adagio, I'm sorry. You played a very good game. But Sonata just whupped you ass. That is, the best face... EVER! Mostly because of this meme.
I can't stop laughing!
Seriously, he won't shut up.
It's too funny! I don't even know why! It just is! Sonata is best Dazzling and now quite high on my favorite pony list.
"Twilight's having a mental breakdown. Should we be worried?"
It's a good thing there isn't much magic in that world.
Ughh... I can't stand seeing either Twilight cry. It makes em feel... bad.
And her heart grew three sizes that day.
I will hit you.
And the more they fought, the colder it—wait, wrong story.
But really, the Sirens are like the offspring of Windigos and Changelings. They feed on negative energy. And when I think about it, putting the mane cast down there was kinda a gamble. Adagio is counting on them fighting, but what if they immediately made up instead? Eh. More pointless ramblings. I'm tired.
Artemis would be proud.
You know, aside from the sabotage and stuff.
Ladies and gentleman, please enjoy the show!
Sunset giving a friendship speech?
-Sniff- My little girl has come so far!
Well, I mean it's true. Yeah, I've still got a lot to learn but I've got the basics. Unity and support and all that. That's what friends are for.
They grow up so fast!
Please stop.
This movie's plot convenience is brought to you by Vinyl Scratch.
Seriously. she never takes her headphones off? Her grades must be dismal. How does she hear what anyone's saying? Still love her design though.
Sorry, Dagi. Sonata still wins.
Wait, have they just been going 'aahhh ahhh ahhh' for the past five minutes?
...Well... they are sirens.
Congratulations! Your plot convenience evolved into Deus Ex Machina!
Well... there are worse ways to do it I suppose.
You're just one giant optimist, aren't you?
Lunch time!
This is their final form? Kinda disappointed honestly. I was hoping for something cooler, like when—
Do not finish that sentence.
The 80's called.... actually, they said you can keep the outfits.
What happened to the things they were wearing for all the promotions? Those looked a lot better than... whatever they're wearing now. For shame, Rarity. You can do so much better. But I guess that's irrelevant. Let's have a battle!
Wrong song.
You know what I mean!
Rainbow Power activate!
Nope. Still doesn't help those outfits.
Well, snap!
There we go! That's a good final form!
Echo Voice vs. Hyper Beam
Another question: what's with the flashy showcase? The Elements usually just skip straight to the rainbow laser. What, are they enjoying showing off?
Certainly didn't waste anytime when they wanted to blast me.
Arms disproportionately tiny compared to wings.
And that's why you never show off in the last battle. Well, with our six heroines down, who could possibly stop the sirens now?
That question was rhetorical. You all know the answer already. When Sunset takes her jacket off, shit just got real.
No one's allowed to pick on my friends except me. Vinyl, give me a beat!
-is pretending that's human Twilight-
Yeah. Sunset just sang. I may have squeed just a little bit. Or a lot. I don't remember, I kinda blacked out for a second. Unfortunately, the rest of them had to join in and drown out her amazing voice. Still, it was a good song.
I give full points to Rebecca for giving me an awesome singing voice.
Oh, and this happened.
I squeed again.
The Spectacular Seven!
Exodia! Obliterate!
Curtain Call, Dazzlings.
So, after their lifepoints dropped to zero amulets are broken, we find that the Dazzlings actually can't sing without them. That's gotta be detrimental to their well being in one way or another.
...Another thought: If they had super good voices and could manipulate people, why didn't they just take over a radio show and spread their message globally? I mean, there's like, a hundred different ways they could have gotten power! I hate to say this, but they shouldn't have lost. They've had years to feed and store their power, they really couldn't have lost in any foreseeable way. At least to me, but I've been told I'm rather shortsighted. I'm going to stop ranting now.
TFW we knew that all along.
Maybe it's because we've been watching the whole movie, but I would have thought that was really obvious. Glowing necklaces? Super protective? Must be where they get their power.
Now ki—nnnngh.
I don't hate him. But, I still can't get behind this ship. Luckily, Trixie provides perfect cockblock.
Artemis would have been... less proud.
I didn't know you played guitar.
This is news to both of us.
You feeling the friendship now?
Yes. I am certainly feeling the friendship.
"Dude... I just saw us as ponies."
Not even Pinkie was ready for that experience.
Sunset, ready for her first jam session.
So, the movie closes on my second favorite song. No awesome guitar riff like in Rainbow Rocks, but it's so catchy and uplifting.
Wait... who exactly won the Battle of the Bands? The Rainbooms were disqualified, and The Dazzlings cheated/brainwashed everyone. So, does that mean Trixie won?
Is that really important now?
No, guess not.
Shine Like Rainbows.
Love the art they did for the end credits. So awesome! Well, I guess that about wraps it up...
Oh... hello there.
There's my favorite nerd.
Looks like she's been busy. Also, this is now even more relevant!
I can only imagine the shenanigans that will be had in the third movie or rumored series. I wait for it with giddy anticipation.
Well overall, I think this was a pretty good movie. Aside from characters being oblivious to anything around them and the fact that the Dazzlings probably should have ruled the world a long time ago... and the several plot conveniences, it holds up pretty well. Honestly, it takes a lot to detach me from a movie while I'm watching it. Half these things didn't occur to me until I started writing this blog and even then, it doesn't break the movie for me. The songs were pretty great, Daniel Ingram outdid himself with these, but I can't think of when I've actually been disappointed by him.
And of course. Sunset Shimmer. She got so much love this movie. Admittedly, she's a lot nicer than I envision her. Eventually, I do see her reaching near the point she is at in the movie, but with more sarcasm and still kinda keeping her feelings guarded. Still, this new model is something I could certainly use if I wanted to write any fics post RR.
Which brings me to the question I'm sure a lot of you are asking an answer for: Will RR affect Long Road to Friendship?
Well...
It could. Not gonna lie. I could easily tweak some things with the movie and totally bend it to the story, and it is an honestly tempting idea. Rainbow Rocks had a lot of little ideas I wanted to use and could certainly be used as a launch point for any other story I wanted to write in this universe. Really it could have been a perfect ending for the story. So, I could use it. It's a possibility.
But. I probably won't. I feel it would be an insult to my artistic integrity if I used Rainbow Rocks as an ending without exploring every avenue for ending it myself, no matter how many tweaks I make. It's... complicated.
TL;DR For the foreseeable future, no RR will not affect LRtF.
However! There are a few tiny things I'm going to take away from this.
First and foremost is Human Twilight's appearance. I dig it. It's so geeky, it's adorable. I will find a way to integrate that into the story.
Second is the school's perception of magic. That one is going to take some more thought, but if they really just accepted what happened at the Fall Formal then I don't have to go "whoo, they all thought it was a hallucination!"
That's... really all for now. Final thoughts, Sunset?
Well, Rebecca didn't do a horrible job playing me. It was believable. More or less.
She liked it.
God that was a long blog. I mean, for realzies. And I know I'm forgetting something. Meh, I'm tired.
Thanks for reading... if you read it. I had fun writing. And now, back to actually stories. Or at least, when I wake up.
See ya in Season 5!
i loved this movie myself.
with the magic thing, well they are principles in a school with a portal in front of it. could be they know. but knowledge of magic does not mean immunity to it.
Sunset is best bitch, in my humble opinion.
I just LOVE the way you build in your version of Sunset in your blog posts.
Yes - Sunset is damn adorable in this movie, and Sonata has best face. I also thought this movie did a lot for SunLight, way more than it did for FlashLight. That kitchen scene is full of ship tease.
And now this.
derpicdn.net/img/view/2014/9/28/731408__safe_meme_screencap_equestria+girls_image+macro_edit_rainbow+rocks_spoiler-colon-rainbow+rocks_sonata+dusk_tropic+thunder.png
derpicdn.net/img/2014/10/22/748144/large.jpeg
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Daniel.
I love everything about Rainbow Rocks. Every single second of it. Plotholes and all.
I am especially impressed with the visual effects and lighting effects in the movie. There's one scene in particular that is incredibly impressive, and you did in fact screencap it here:
At the beginning of "Under Our Spell", when Adagio does this:
img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20141029072411/mlp/images/thumb/2/22/Adagio_%22Now_you%27ve_fallen_under_our_spell%22_EG2.png/640px-Adagio_%22Now_you%27ve_fallen_under_our_spell%22_EG2.png
That was one of the most stunning visual effects, because they managed to pull off a 3D effect in a 2D animated movie, and it was glorious.
A few lines in the movie suggest that the sirens had an abysmal return on investment with most people in the human world. They were basically subsistence farming until they came to CHS, where they could feed off people who had been touched by magic (i.e. Sunset's brainwashing.)
But yeah, Vinyl was a total deus ex machina. Literally, given that her machine was instrumental in summoning the avatar of music and friendship.
And yes, the musical saw is totally a thing.
I feel pretty much the same way. Even the sarcasm part... especially the sarcasm part. Even if I do something post RR in a serious fic, I think Sunset Shimmer will be a bit sarcastic and snarky, still.
She's cute and all when she' uber-nice, but I want to see a Sunset Shimmer that rolls her eyes when things get weird or calls out her friends when they're acting out of their mind (which, if EqG universe is anything like the regular ponyverse, happens once a week).
I'm really hoping the Sunset we see in RR is her walking on eggshells. She knows she's don' goofed and she's trying her best and reeling in her personality so she doesn't upset anyone ever. However, maybe now that everyone loves her again will see just a dash of 'evil' Sunset Shimmer in a way that rounds out her personality a bit more.
Here's to hoping she comes out of her shell next time we see her.
My only disappointment with this movie is that I could only see it in the theater once.
But now that I own a copy I can watch the ending sequence whenever I want to (probably 5 times by now, it's so good). Especially this bit right here:
img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20141028131440/mlp/images/thumb/1/15/Sunset%27s_anthro_form_EG2.png/640px-Sunset%27s_anthro_form_EG2.png
Just a big ol' grin on my face at that part.
Regarding the plan for Long Road, it's probably for the best to not pull Rainbow Rocks in. It just doesn't really fit with the story so far. Human Twilight not knowing about what's going on at the school at the same time story-wise of Sunset being accepted by the human five as a full on friend and into their band, it'd take some retconing of movie details to fit it in.
"Is that seriously considered an instrument?"
Yep! My grandfather, rest his soul, played it. Grind the teeth off a saw, take a bow, and have damn strong hands to be able to actually bend a sheet of steel in very specific ways for several minutes to create pitch, and you have an instrument that sounds halfway between a violin and a theremin.
My biggest issue with this movie, aside from how useless Flash is and the unnecessary of FlashLight shipping fuel (Flash plays an even LESS role in this movie than the first. At least in EG 1, he helped Twilight once. He does jack s**t here.), is that Celestia really makes me question how she treats her other former students. I mean think about it. Principal Celestia mentioning the Fall Formal is completely stupid. And is that really the best memory someone could think of one of the better moments in a school? An event where one of the students turns into a demon and nearly turns every student into a zombie to take over the world? Come on, that's like saying to a group of Jewish people the best thing to happen was the Holocaust.
And another flash of Celestia's "wisdom" is the fact she just gave Twilight the book she used when Sunset was her student. I really got to wonder does she really hate Sunset that much, or wants to forget about her? Not only Twilight getting that book is a HUGE plot convenience, it's a plot hole as well. There's no explanation as to why Twilight has this in the first place. I could probably buy it if a note was included by Celestia telling her to take care of the book, for it belonged to my former student, but Celestia comes off as uncaring about Sunset here. The way it plays off makes it seem that Celestia looked at the book, thought it held no meaning to her or wanted to forget about Sunset, scoffed at it, and threw it out saying "Give it to Twilight."
You really got to wonder just what the Hell Celestia was thinking this entire time. Other than that, I did enjoy the rest of the movie and already gave my thoughts on it.
i watched the movie yelling, "Albinocorn did it, Albinocorn did it!"
I personally think your explanation of how the students would react to the rainbow magic is far superior to RR. Yours doesn't question the intelligence of the entire school.
Alternate caption you could've put in your blog under that pic, or near it:
"And Frission starts screaming into her pillow."
I seriously had a little internal fit when I saw that part. Those that have read my work will probably understand why.
2594449 That last picture has so much win!
2594480 Whoops.
In my defense, it was three in the morning when I finished this. And yes, the lighting in this movie was amazing! They were really going all out.
2594745 Aww, I'm sorry, Friss. That didn't even occur to me until now. But wow, the similarities are... eerie.
2594894 Heh, thanks, the last one specifically is mine.
I really hope Sunset is the heroine if they do give Equestria Girls its own show, she'll be a great contrast to Twilight.
I love you. PM me with your friend code and I'll PM you with mine if you like
Also it's Echoed Voice not Echo Voice. Seeya in S5!
Does this mean that we will be seeing a Sonata Dusk fanfic in the future?
Awesome, awesome review. :) Yeah, that castle is pretty damned garish. *Shudders*
My own two cents on including RR or not... if it conflicts with your own vision of your fic, then don't. You started it before the movie and have done a wonderful, wonderful job. It's not on you to force your fic. Time marches on and that's what the AU tag is for.
2594894 No worries, I only say that in the name of humor. xD
Anyhoo, 20/10, definitive review. +10 to Winning. Cookie for Sunset. *gives cookie*
I had some of the same issues, but ultimately could ignore most of them for what was really just a fun little adventure. And being the kind of fan to dwell on things afterwards, I could make up justifications to suit me as well:
I could accept that they all played the instruments they had, as every one besides Dash has been shown to be musically inclined on the regular show. AJ plays the banjo, Rarity and Fluttershy are in the Ponytones, Twilight performed at her brother's wedding, and Pinkie plays every instrument imaginable. (I'm assuming random musical numbers out of nowhere aren't admissible as evidence.)
As for the magic book, I bought it as the substitute (or predecessor) of Spike. Celestia likes to keep a hotline to her students apparently. In the pilot episode Twilight still had Spike send a letter to her even though they were still in Canterlot... Unicorns are pretty lazy, I guess, and don't like to walk across campus.
And finally, for the whole "use the book for the gateway" thing, I'm enough of a nerd to recognize it as a variation on the whole Star Trek trope of not being able to teleport somewhere until an away team had set up some kind of signal-boosters at the site to lock on to.
Fun review... Thanks for taking the time to write it!
Here is an interesting fact about the movie. When the DVD release came out, they had to recall them because chapter 5 and chapter 6 were in reverse. I Actually have one of those DVD's.
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Yeah, they make a point of it that with Twilight and the gang they sense a lot of Equestrian magic, which is apparently what they need. So they at least try to explain it a little. Still raises questions of course.
I had as much fun reading this review as I do the average chapter of LRtF!
Not sure I agree with the Best Face competition, though, it takes more than one fantastic derp-face to trump all of Adagio's looks. (She might just have the best evil smirks and slasher smiles I've seen on an animated character, within memory!) Trixie's not-sure-if-want face was pretty good, Pinkie certainly had her share as well.
Albinocorn you beautiful bastard! I'm so happy right now! Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokemon, just every reference was icing on this great review, man. This was so worth the wait. Keep it realzies bro
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That face and pose shows the personality she should logically have, but did not possess in Rainbow Rocks. Yes, hoping she swings back towards her old personality now that she doesn't have to tip-toe.
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The only in-universe explanation would be Celestia thinking "Twilight handled Sunset so well the last time, I should give her this book. She is the Princess of Friendship now." However, it should have been with a sticky note explanation attached. That would have added 10 seconds to the movie tops, with Twilight reading the note aloud once she found the book "ringing".
2594688
That face and pose shows the personality she should logically have, but did not possess in Rainbow Rocks. Yes, hoping she swings back towards her old personality now that she doesn't have to tip-toe.
2594713
The only in-universe explanation would be Celestia thinking "Twilight handled Sunset so well the last time, I should give her this book. She is the Princess of Friendship now." However, it should have been with a sticky note explanation attached. That would have added 10 seconds to the movie tops, with Twilight reading the note aloud once she found the book "ringing".
2594688
That face and pose shows the personality she should logically have, but did not possess in Rainbow Rocks. Yes, hoping she swings back towards her old personality now that she doesn't have to tip-toe.
2594713
The only in-universe explanation would be Celestia thinking "Twilight handled Sunset so well the last time, I should give her this book. She is the Princess of Friendship now." However, it should have been with a sticky note explanation attached. That would have added 10 seconds to the movie tops, with Twilight reading the note aloud once she found the book "ringing".
A few comments:
I just assumed that they had to spend some time figuring everything out, such as where it happened, how it happened, and getting a plan together to take advantage of the whole thing.
The first scene has Adagio state they can only gain “so much power” on Earth due to the energy being different. It’s obvious there’s some kind of upper limit regarding the amount of energy they can have here, preventing them from becoming that powerful and limiting what they could do. It was only when they were able to start feeding off of people exposed to Equestrian magic in the school that they were able to really gain strength.
See the above, but another thing should be noted. It’s shown they absorb the power of conflict through their gems, indicating they have to be present in the area where the conflict is happening to gain power. You can’t do that with a radio show because the people who are listening to you aren’t near you to offer you the energy.
Awesome. Especially about the scene where she takes off her jacket, since I kinda thought the same thing. Also:
As far as I know, it is. Only awfully hard to play (and maybe not very convenient), which is why the idea never got any popularity. If I had to guess, I'd say that might be a thing Ingram or someone else from the music section threw into the script.
First, about the gaudy castle, does it look like a He-man (or other cheesy 80's boys cartoon) set piece to anyone else or is that just me?
Well, now that you've seen the movie, I must recommend you read Justice's hilarious take on it (unless you already have, that Trixie line about her feelings seems familiar). It was written before the movie was out but after at least a dozen teaser clips had been released, giving the author a pretty clear picture of the start of it. It's an affectionate parody, starring Sunset Shimmer and humorously incompetent Sirens, which isn't really that much of a stretch from their canon skill at things like subtlety:
http://www.fimfiction.net/story/209600/cafeteria-control
Here's a quote from chapter 0:
2604657 Yep, already read it and split my side several times in the process.
What's happening on the 22nd?
2605563 A certain story turns a year old.
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Glad to hear it, no one should miss out on that.
Did you and Sunset review My Past is Not Today and the other shorts? That song in particular was wonderful in showing Sunset’s redemption.