Friendship Games Recap and Review · 9:44pm Sep 26th, 2015
You don't have to; it's obvious.
Sunset Shimmer. My waifu. Best human. The best part of the Equestria Girls spin-offs. I welcome any new exposure to her. The prospect of human as a villain is interesting, and there's some new characters to enjoy. The villains seem a step back after the magical songs of the Dazzlings, but this still holds potential. So, let's dive into the Friendship Games.
We start off where the previews did; Sunset and the gang meet up with Rainbow Dash to help her with her guitar, and Sunset writes Twilight about the state of things. Then SciTwi arrives to investigate the mirror portal and is chased off shortly by Sunset. I like that right off the bat with this movie that they aren't trying to play SciTwi's presence as a twist; we all know she's here, it's just that the cast doesn't. At Crystal Prep, SciTwi heads into her lab (which amusingly has a Taco Tuesday poster on it, and then opening credits. The animation on this bit is really cool, with the magical swirls running along the strings, and then some freeze-frame versus shots of the Wondercolts and Shadowbolts. Sunset of course looks badass with her jacket slung over her shoulder.
SciTwi finishes building her amulet over a rather atmospheric montage, and we return to CHS. The Humane Six discuss the mystery figure Sunset saw, and we get a tongue-in-cheek call back to the "no offense" joke of Rainbow Rocks.
Me-wow
The Humane Five exposit about the Friendship Games and Crystal Prep to Sunset, and we get a cute little wink from the writers; Sunset says that it's not like there's evil magic involved so what's the big deal, and Fluttershy says that just because the Shadowbolts aren't magical doesn't mean the games aren't important to them. Then the auditorium song with Rainbow Dash. I appreciate how Daniel Ingram realized the lack of Rainbow songs and is making it up to us from RR to S5 to this. And of course plenty of cameos from background ponies. I notice the band leader gets a lot of focus on this song, I wonder if she'll be important somehow.
With the song over the cast wonders how Rainbow ponied up without playing music herself, and Luna tasks Sunset to figure out how their magic works, because they don't want magic involved with the Friendship Games. I notice here Luna's voice is a bit different from her pony form, but so is Celestia's so I don't mind. Sunset takes off and now I'm flying dark from this point on. Sunset is researching and lets out a very Twilight-like grunt of frustration, and writes to Twilight to ask for help, wondering if their magic is changing since they don't seem to need music to pony up anymore.
At Crystal Prep Twi bumps her way through the halls to get to her lab, flinging Spike across the room in a hilarious call back. Though Spike is a dog now so also animal abuse, hn. Twi explains her amulet will let her track and contain the energy she's been researching at CHS, and hopes her studies of it will get her into the "Everton Study Program," which should have just been called "Everfree". And then Cadance, whose design I really don't care for. Her eyes look weird. Cadance explains that the Everton program has student study on their own without social interaction, and wonders if that's really what Twilight wants. Twilight muses when alone she has nothing worth learning anymore at Crystal Prep, and then we get her "I Want" song about how she feels there's more out there for her. Some really cool graphical effects, but I don't really care for the song itself. It's serviceable, but it's every Disney Princess song ever.
I want much more than this scholarly life!
Twilight arrives at Principal Cinch's office, which is dimly lit, and in a very creepy scene Shining Armor is hiding behind the door and closes it behind her. I don't like his design, either, it's far too generic. If you changed the hair colors and didn't call him by name, you'd never peg this guy as Shining Armor. Cinch explains it doesn't matter if Crystal Prep wins the Friendship Games or not, what matters is they're expected to win by reputation, and that reputation is invaluable to the school. Cinch says that Twilight is her best student, and doesn't understand why she doesn't want to be in the games. Cinch notes CHS's grades have been going up, and she sees them as a threat. Cinch dismisses Cadance and Shining Armor, and brings up the Everton Study Program. She offers Twi a deal - she participates in the games, and Cinch will talk to her contacts in the program to guarantee Twilight is accepted.
Twilight of course agrees, and packs up her stuff (and Spike) and heads to the buses. Here we meet the other Shadowbolts, and of course several bits here and in the next scene establish their personalities. I also love how tsundere Sour Sweet is, her name is too perfect, and Sugarcoat is delightfully direct. Also insert obligatory complaint about Indigo Zap obviously being based on Lightning Dust in appearance and personality so why not just use Lightning Dust?
Back with the Humane Six, we have a mostly filler conversation while we wait for the bus. Celestia welcomes Cinch to the expected response, but Luna and Cadance get along fine. Twi gets off the bus and her amulet goes wonky so she goes to follow it, other students waving to her and calling her by name, to her obvious confusion. And then of course she bumps into Flash Sentry and they're adorkable together before she runs off and he's comforted by the obligatory Derpy cameo, alas she doesn't talk. I also approve of this, Sunset can have Pony!Twi and Flash can have Sci!Twi.
In the music room, AJ comments on how Rarity designed so many outfits when she doesn't even know what the events are. Rarity gushes about how much she adores fashion and designing, and suddenly she pony ups without any music present at all! Twi's amulet goes nuts and she snaps it open. The magical energy from Rarity is siphoned out the door into the hall to be absorbed by the amulet, and Rarity grows tired, descending to the ground and her glow vanishing as the transformation ends. Twi comes in and after some initial recognition, they get confused. Celestia and Cinch come by, and Cinch makes it clear Twi is from Crystal Prep and leads her away.
Twi tries to explain her experiment to Cinch, but Cinch is more concerned with Twi participating in the Games. Twi wonders how the students here know her, and Cinch suggests they're trying to confuse her. Back with the Humane Five the group discusses Twilight, and Sunset has an outburst on how the Twilight they know is a princess of friendship and would have probably figured out the magical stuff going on by now. Obviously, she's frustrated, and hasn't heard back yet; the cast reminds her she lives in another world where she's a princess, she's got her own shit to do and can't come running through the portal every time they need her. Sunset also says it was her fault that magic came into this world, and she doesn't want it to go out of control because of her. Sunset has an idea and goes off alone.
At the portal statue outside, Sunset approaches it as Twilight stands on the other side with the amulet. Sunset touches the portal and fire springs up from her hand - on the other side of the status, the amulet absorbs more power from her. Sunset realizes something just happened, but Twi is called off. Sunset then examines the portal and is horrified - it isn't opening. Again, good stuff here, raising the tension about Twilight's amulet and what it's doing. Also, a pointless Flash cameo where she faces down Sour Sweet as he stands between Bon Bon and Lyra. OT3? Sunset explains the portal to the Humane Five and how she knows it's something Twi is up to.
Sunset confronts Twilight when Indigo comes in, and of course she and Rainbow immediately get into each other's faces because she's Lightning Dust 2.0. A cool tracking shot details the Humane Six and the Shadowbolts confronting their designated rivals in ways that do build up how the Shadowbolts are dark reflections of the five. Pinkie talks to Twilight and Pinkie realizes the party for the two schools to mingle is becoming a bust. Celestia gives a speech Twilight helps Pinkie push two large boxes into the room, and Twi asks what's in them. "Party cannons, of course!"
Pinkie springs into action setting up treats and getting DJPon to play some new music, and the crews begin to mingle. Pinkie launches the cannons and showers confetti down on the students. As they begin to dance, she ponies up, and once again the amulet absorbs the energy from her and reverts the transformation. A spark shoots from the amulet under the bleachers, and Twi watches as a portal to Equestria opens and swiftly closes. Naturally, Cinch shuts down the party atmosphere for her own speech about how nothing has changed since the last Friendship Games; CHS chooses students by popularity, and CP chooses them by achievements. Have to admit, phrased like that the lady has a point. The two groups break apart again. Cinch spews some more annoying passive aggressive nonsense and I wait futilely for Celestia to push her off the stage. Pinkie comments on how the magic drained from her as she ponied up, raising Sunset's suspicions further.
And now the Friendship Games begin - first up it's an academic test with the top six scorers of twelve moving on to the next event. And here comes the Wondercolt vs Shadowbolt song over a montage of them competing. HILARIOUS bit here where Pinkie bakes a cake that has the Mona Lisa in it when she cuts it apart. Also cool bit in the montage where Sunset and Twi climb a flight of stairs to have an epic staredown - well, epic for Sunset, Twi remains her mousey self. The two then have a short solo bit each, and we segue into them competing directly as they scribble on chalk boards. Twilight beats Sunset and wins the event for Crystal Prep; the Humane Five are still happy with Sunset for making it a close race. Cadance announces the six students from each side who are moving on and of course I don't need to tell you which ones, do I?
Flash approaches Twi as she comes off stage and she runs off with the amulet again. Outside Fluttershy is cuddling an animal as Twilight approaches her and brings out Spike. Fluttershy notes the Shadowbolts didn't seem to excited about winning, and Twi says it's because no one at CP gets excited about things they didn't do themselves. Fluttershy hands Twi Angel because "holding a bunny always makes her feel better." It works, and the caring makes Fluttershy pony up in full view of Twilight. More magic is absorbed, and lots of small portals open around Fluttershy as Spike and an Equestrian animal (a rabbit with antlers) play Portal Tag through them. Spike jumps into the energy stream between Fluttershy and the Amulet, and Twilight shuts it down.
"Spike, are you okay?"
"I think so."
The two realize at the same time what happened and scream. Twilight runs off and the now-talking Spike follows her. Spike corners Twi and she freaks out, and Spike says he's surprised too, and doesn't know how why he can talk now. Cinch comes by and notes the six girls who advanced from CHS are the same ones that were all friendly with Twilight. Quite a coincidence, hm? Cinch encourages Twilight to get to know them and perhaps learn what it is that's improving CHS's conditions so much. Twilight is hesitant, but Cinch says it's her choice. It's not like her application to Everton depends on it. "Oh wait; yes it does."
With the Humane Five, Sunset runs down what's made each of them so far pony up, and puts together Twilight is behind the magical drainings, though she doesn't know why. Sunset is dismayed that the portal closing means Princess Twi is beyond their reach, and they really are on their own. Also an odd scene here where Pinkie stares into space and her eyes derp up as Rainbow talks; considering this show and this character, I dunno if it's an animation error or just Pinkie Pie. The group reaches the soccer field and sees the relay obstacle course waiting for them.
Cinch assigns two each to the Shadowbolts to the events; Twi is in the first part, the archery range, since she did so well in the first event. Oddly though, the Shadowbolts and Wondercolts aren't paired up directly against their counterparts, which is strange because why set up these rivalries if they aren't going to be at play in the events? The event begins and Sour Sweet quickly brings Twi in, who does terribly as Fluttershy struggles to make her own bulls-eyes on the target. She does and Applejack comes in to make her own while Twi still struggles; Pinkie and Rarity run off on the speedskating track as Twi stalls up the Shadowbolts. Twi gets tears in her eyes as the Shadowbolts begin to hurl insults, and Applejack snaps and comes over to help her and encourage her. Twi wipes her eyes and takes her advice, and makes the shot.
Sour Sweet backs off as AJ stands confident. Naturally, she ponies up and gets her magic drained into the amulet. Twi trips over Spike as it finishes and falls off the platform; the amulet flies from her hand and opens up another portal. Meanwhile in the games themselves, the Shadowbolts swiftly catch up to the Wondercolts, kicking the amulet as they pass. More portals open as a result. Rarity flings Pinkie forward to complete the last lap, resulting in the two teams beginning the last leg, the motocross race, at the same time. As they race Twilight tries to get to the amulet, which is still open and causing portals with monster tentacles coming out to pop up across the field, interfering with the race. Sunset is knocked down, leaving Rainbow Dash to face Indigo Zap. However, Dash comes back to save Sunset - no prizes for what happens here. Yup, it's anthro-time. Cinch glares at Celestia, who just offers a shrug. Rainbow flies into action to fight off the tentacles as Sunset races Indigo, keeping them off the two for Sunset to win the competition by a nose.
CP is universally angry, and Twi finally reaches the amulet and closes it, causing the portals and tentacles to vanish. The Humane Five regroup and Sunset freaks out over the chaos that just went down. Twilight apologizes and admits she's been studying the magic, but she doesn't know how it works and didn't mean to cause this. And then of course Rainbow's power is absorbed, too. That makes a complete set by my calculations. Twilight struggles to close it and another portal opens, revealing Equestria's night sky. Cinch spies on the group and listens in. Sunset rages at Twi about being smart enough to build this amulet, but not enough to know how it works or control it, and lectures her on messing with power she doesn't understand. They close the amulet and the portal, and Sunset rages more about Twi putting her friends in danger. Twilight runs off in tears and Sunset realizes what she's done.
I'm just putting this here to break up the text.
Cinch complains to Celestia the race was hardly fair, and I have to agree, the track was torn up and the racers were tossed around. Celestia defends that CHS didn't have an advantage, but admits the race went a little nuts. Perhaps it'd be safe to call a tie. Cinch isn't having that, of course and refuses, storming off. Sunset apologizes to Celestia for not being able to help, and Celestia consoles her. Sunset also notes that, while CP's accusations of cheating are false, it doesn't matter - if CP is convinced they only lost because of cheating, it'll devalue the win for CHS. I raise an eyebrow at this because CHS knows they aren't cheating. Granted, the presence of magic is skewing the contests so it isn't totally fair to either side, but this scene was poorly worded to convey what Sunset meant with that.
The last event begins - a flag for each school is hidden on the campus. All six members of each team must find and return it to win the last round and the Games as a whole. The Humane Five are universally pretty down with all the chaos that's happened, particular Sunset with how she spoke to Twilight. AJ consoles her she can make amends after the event. Cinch tells the team that they must win to show CHS that even magic isn't enough to make them equal to CP. Sugarcoat asks what they do if they grow wings again, and Cinch plans to fight fire with fire. She's seen the amulet and encourages Twilight to grant the Shadowbolts their own magic so they can clinch the win, and Twilight can clinch her entry into Everton.
This of course leads into "Unleash the Magic." I didn't care for the song on its own, but the sequence is very creepy, the Shadowbolts slowly skulking around Twilight glaring her down as they chant at her. Twi slowly walks out onto the field and lifts the amulet over her head, and Sunset sees and walks out to her. This is incredibly intense and chilling to watch, the music and animation building higher and higher. Twilight opens the amulet and a massive ball of magic grows between her hands and consumes her. She reaches out for help to no avail. And then, of course, you know what happens thanks to the merchandise spoiling it months ago.
Enter Midnight Sparkle.
This sequence is gloriously chilling. It's obviously purposefully reminiscent of Sunset's transformation in the first movie, both thematically and in terms of animation. Twi is even crying as it happens to her. I do question why she gets a horn though, since none of the rest ever did.
Twi laughs at Sunset and says she understand magic now. She zaps the Canterlot statue and destroys it, opening a portal to Equestria. She rapidly opens more as the students flee. Cinch runs off, one of the Shadowbolts calling out to her, but she still runs. Sunset faces down Twilight, but Twilight is happy - a whole new world of magic and potential awaits her through these portals! So what if she destroys this world, it's not like it means much to her anyway. Twilight opens a massive portal in the ground and it begins to collapse in, students running before they fall. The Shadowbolts watch the Wondercolts trying to save students and come in to help. Meanwhile, Sunset reaches Twilight's amulet and picks it up.
I pause my PVR and cup my hands to my face.
http://www.fimfiction.net/blog/539272/friendship-games-wishlist
- Epic Sunset Phoenix vs Midnight Sparkle DBZ deathmatch
Please tell me they are. Oh sweet Celestia, do it! DO IT!
The amulet slows and restores the magic of the Humane Six, and Sunset tries to talk down Twilight again. She knows exactly what Twilight is going through, because she went through it too when she stole the Element of Harmony. Twilight laughs the difference is she's going to get what she wants, but Sunset says she'll still be alone, and calls out the name of the elements. Beams of magic shoot from the other five to the amulet, and Sunset snaps it shut. She tells Twilight she'll show her the most powerful magic of all, and throws the amulet to the ground. Another orb of magic grows and engulfs Sunset...
They're doing it.
Yes.
For realzies.
THEY'RE DOING IT
I FUCKING LOVE THIS SERIES
Sunset's flaming wings sprout, along with a horn, and she gains a magical girl white dress. Floating opposite Twilight, Sunset closes the portals, and Twilight attacks. After an initial punch throws them back, the two begin a beam-o-war. Spike runs up and calls out to Twilight. The glow in her eyes fades, and Sunset pours on the power, overwhelming her. In a white void, Sunset offers Twilight her hand and says she'll show her another way, "the same way someone once did for me." Twilight takes Sunset's hand, ad a wisp of magic travels up her arm. Back at CHS, the light fades and the two girls lower to the ground, restored to normal.
Well, I don't care if it was an anti-climax. That was the best sixty seconds of my life. I can now die fulfilled.
Twilight apologizes, but Sunset says if her own experience is an indication, they'll forgive her. Cinch pops up and demands Celestia forfeit the Games for cheating by using magic. "I'd like to think saving the world benefits us all." Sugarcoat also delivers a motor-mouth "go to hell" speech to her - yup, Wondercolt and Shadowbolt alike are not pleased with her. Cinch isn't happy with that either and threatens to take it up with the school board. "Good. I'm sure they would be very interested in hearing all about the magical students with wings." Luna and Cadance join in with the portals and the talking dog. Trollestia is best principle. Cinch just turns and walks away, and Celestia declares them all winners.
Some time later, Cadance comes to see Twilight and says her application is good to go. Twilight admits she knows a lot about a lot of things, but not friendship, and being alone at Everton won't help them. Of course, she's transferring to CHS. Meanwhile Sunset still has no response in the journal from Princess Twilight, but she's figured it out on her own - obviously, magic comes out when they express the truest parts of themselves. She was so busy waiting for Twilight to give her the answer, she was blind to the obvious. She also admits Applejack was right, Twilight has a life in Equestria and won't always be there for them. Sci Twi approaches and Celestia tells them about her transfer. They hug, and we segue to the credits as the sun set creates a gleaming pair of red and violet starbursts.
And then a short end-credits bit - the seven are having a picnic by the statue, when the portal opens up and Twi comes out. She rapidly apologizes for the late response but she was busy with some sort of weird time travel stuff, the weirdest thing that's ever happened. Then she sees Sci Twi. "Make that the second strangest."
This movie... it isn't as epic or cool as Rainbow Rocks. But it's still very damn good.
I love the parallels to the first movie, if this movie caps off a trilogy this plotline was the right way to do it, coming full circle with Midnight Sparkle and Sunset transforming to turn her back, but instead of blasting her with the Rainbow Friendship Cannon, she does talk her down after stopping her attack. Sunset's development is good, having to handle problems without Twilight's help, and she's still obviously got some self-esteem and rage issues, but that just makes her well-rounded. Sci Twi is likewise the right mix of meek, curious, and friendship, she's a stereotypical nerd but they add some new twists to her to keep her interesting.
One big thing in this movie - I love Twilight's relationship with Cinch. Cinch herself isn't a very interesting antagonist, but her manipulation of Twilight is marvellous. It'd be easy to make Cinch downright antagonistic to Twilight, but no, she recognizes Twilight's intelligence and is willing to support it, and then blackmails her into helping Cinch in exchange for that support. I especially grinned when Cinch tells Twilight to get closer to the Humane Six to spy on them, like a dark reflection of Celestia sending Twilight to Ponyville. Cinch doesn't have much to work with on her own, but working off of Twilight she becomes very devious and manipulative. I think a major problem with Cinch is that she's an original character. Imagine how much more weight would be given to the role if Sombra was the principle here, how much more we could read into their relationship and the parallels to their pony counterparts.
With the Shadowbolts, I was disappointed they didn't get much to do. Sugarcoat, Sour Sweet, and Indigo Zap are the only ones who actually contribute anything. Lemon Zest just spends most of her time listening to music, and I'm not sure Sunny Flare even got a single speaking line. Still, they got their moment to shine when they united with the Wondercolts to save students from Midnight Sparkle, and were clearly both fed up with Cinch's nonsense when it ended, and a bit guilty themselves for helping her. I would have liked some more closure with their relationship with Twi, even a short "if you ever want to visit Crystal Prep, we'll be here for you" bit, but that's okay. I'm also confused that the direct one-on-one confrontations between specific members amounted to little, though. I don't think Pinkie and Lemon Zest even share a scene despite the opening setting them up as rivals. A bit of condensing on other scenes and tweaks to others would have helped - for instance, what if Lemon Zest helped Pinkie bring in the party cannons instead of Twilight, and they had a bit of a confrontation?
The plot is a bit slow until the third act, but that's helped a bit by the magical chaos. While the amulet's routine draining of the Humane Six is formulaic, they mix it up a bit by having new things happen as its powers act up, serving to keep raising the tension of what's gonna happen with this thing inevitably goes off all the way. And, again, the third act is a direct mirror of the first Equestria Girls, with Midnight Sparkle opening portals and laughing about going to Equestria, and Sunset calling on the power of the Humane Five to take her down. Sunset herself notes the parallels in her confrontation with Sci Twi, and her original confrontation with Princess Twilight.
Beyond the Wondercolts and Shadowbolts, Shining Armor is just a cameo (unless he's in a crowd shot somewhere, he never appears after the meeting with Cinch), Flash is more tacked-on than even in Rainbow Rocks, and the other background cameos you want like Derpy and Octavia are here. The focus is on the Wondercolt-Shadowbolt plotline, which is good because that's what the movie should focus on with this set-up for rivalries.
Overall, again, good movie, not as good as Rainbow Rocks but much better than the first Equestria Girls and worth a rewatch or two. My only nitpicks are small and my praises are plentiful. Definitely check it out when it airs later tonight.
Nice.
Just like that dream I had a month ago.
I've just finished watching it. To me, it felt like it was a little bit short... I might feel this because we've seen like the half the movie in various released scenes and shorts. I thought the big climax with Midnight Sparkle would come later, maybe after the CTF game, or at the end ceremony of the games. Oh well. It was still a very good movie. And thanks for the review, I very much agreed with all your points.
Now let's all wait for EQ4!!
I'd have rather no real magic than Midnight Sparkle. It sounds like Shining is present for the manipulation of his sister, which I don't like. And Cinch's idea for Twi makes no sense. As a non-athlete she should be worried about Twi messing things up for her team. Hell, is Crystal Prep wants students who succeed both academically and athletically then she should be aching to get rid of Twilight.
3422400 Well, the Friendship Games weren't fully athletic - Twi's contribution in the first round was academics of some sort, and she won that. In the second round, Cinch put her in archery which is compulsory for all students, so Twi should have been fine. And then in the last round, you've just gotta find a flag, how physically demanding can it be?
yep, just saw the scene and the whole plot would be derailed if Twilight simply pointed out she'd be a hinderence. And why exactly would someone as obsessed with winning would agree to rules that forces adademics to compete physically.
I wonder if in previous years any of their top academic competitors were simply unable to compete
3422634
On the other hand, athletes would be at a disadvantage in academics. Presumably CP students are to be great at both.
3422714 and yet Twilight obviously fails so why bother with the attempt?
3422724 Well as I said before, the one physical event she had to put Twi in, it was archery, which all of CP has to study. Given Twi is best student she probably presumed she did that well, too.
Tension is the key word for this movie. Yeah, you can start to see how certain things will play out and predict, but the upping of the ante really helped to sell this. I didn't know what was going to happen next with each magical suction.
This would have been perfect, but I think I know why they didn't. It would have come off as way too creepy and, perhaps, "sexist" if Sombra was the guy in charge. I would have preferred Chrysalis myself.
Sunset gets another big win! She's two for three now! Wonder if this will continue on?
3422811 That's very true, if the principle was male it would add certain subtexts. Chrysalis could have still worked though, yeah. Heck, considering what she tried to do in the comics, it would have worked better than Sombra.
Did you notice how similar the CP 5 were to the human Mane 5? Also, for the first time, there was no giant Friendship Rainbow Cannon!
But looks like we were both looking forward to that DBZ scene!
I've been debating for weeks if Sunset got her magic drained with the portal... it's the her color (as seen in Rainbow Rocks) but she isn't woozy and tired afterward - could that have only been part of her magic as the amulet is still weak enough for SciTwi to close prematurely? could it have only been the portal?
Sunset says it won't matter if CHS wins if CPA thinks it was unfair: I thought it was pretty clear - CHS doesn't want to just win fairly, they want CPA to lose and acknowledge them as rivals (and not some school that sucks at everything)
Pulling this outta my ass now, but maybe Twi gets a horn because the magic she's using is the culmination of ALL the friendship magic (esp if she did suck up Sunset's) rather than Twilight anthromorph in the previous movies where she only had her own magic? It would explain Sunset's having a horn as well, tapping into all 6 magics via the amulet.
Actually, I didn't see it as the amulet returning the magic to each of them, I kind of thought of it as being re-detected since they were showing their friendshipness again.
Agree, Sunset sure has come a long way. I really like that Twilight didn't come in and deus ex machina the hell out of it or give Sunset useless advice that amounted to nothing; it really plays off the 'pressure from the expectations of others' theme from Rainbow Rocks, and without a balancing/opposing side since all the expectations of the situation were on her alone. I didn't catch the whole 'only villain talked down instead of rainbow blast of friendship' and I think it's a fascinating twist on what is almost a replica of movie 1.
I never thought of Cinch-Princess Celestia parallel! You're brilliant! (Would've liked to have seen Sombra, when I heard the name 'Crystal Prep' I didn't imagine not having him... it also would've been a fun allusion for Cadance actually working against him when it came to the best interest of the students)
you rock, thanks for your thorough thoughts ^__^
I honestly think this movie is better than Rainbow Rocks.
The two were neck-and-neck, and then Unleash the Magic came along. With how creepy and epic it was, it gave this movie the edge. And everything after that just cemented its lead.
I also prefer Cinch to the Sirens.