A JD Review: My Little Pony: The Movie (2017) · 5:26pm Oct 7th, 2017
Seven years later, and we finally get the movie.
I've been anticipating this film ever since it was first announced, and even though I didn't see it in theaters (my cowardly ass watched the leaked version) I still found myself really enjoying this film. So, let's talk about it!
Warning! You're entering spoiler territory! I'll start off the review with a non-spoiler reaction, then follow it up with all the juicy details of the story, characters, and ending. If you haven't seen the film yet, I highly recommend going out and buying a ticket for it. Seriously, SUPPORT THIS FILM so Hasbro sees how successful it was! Don't be like me!
Anyhow, let's get into the review!
NON-SPOILER REVIEW
So, did the MLP movie live up to the expectations of the Brony fandom? Did it stand well with average movie-goers? Was it an overall decent film? Yes, of course it was! Well... kind of.
I've seen some bronies torn on this film, some thinking it was really good and others thinking it was just okay. Me personally, I really liked this film! The animation, by far, was the best part of the movie. This is easily the best looking 2D animated film I've ever seen, and I can only pray we get more of these in the future. The story was pretty good. I liked the idea of the Mane 6 and Spike being pushed out of their comfort zone and forced to travel out of Equestria. Plus, the world-building! Oh, the world-building! 
The characters were great in this film. All the celebrity cast did a fantastic job. My favorites were easily Capper (voiced by Taye Diggs) and the Storm King (voiced by Liev Schreiber, extra points there!). Tempest Shadow was the better villain compared to the Storm King, as she was definitely more menacing and had a little bit more development. Grubber also had some funny moments (loved that Michael Pena voiced him. Great actor).
Some of the things that felt a little off for me in this movie was the pacing. At first, it seemed to go a little fast, but it ends up slowing down by the time the movie reaches its second act. Also, the ending was a tad pit predictable, but we can get into that in the spoiler section. Speaking of which...
Before we go into spoilers, I really enjoyed the film! Go out and see this, it's worth it! 9/10! 
SPOILER REVIEW
Spoilers galore below!
So, the story:
We begin with Songbird Serenade (voiced by Sia) coming to perform for a large celebration in Canterlot (forgot the name of the celebration), and Twilight is having difficulty trying to get everything organized perfectly. Then, in the midst of the party and right after a song, the villains of the movie make their appearance and take over Canterlot. This was the part of the film that I thought the pacing was too fast. After this, however, it tends to slow down.
The Mane 6 and Spike are forced to go beyond the Badlands and find the Hippogriffs, whom Celestia told Luna to get help from (by the way, the princesses are once again very useless in this film, except for Twilight. Another thing I had a problem with). They find themselves in the city at the edge of the Badlands. This city is ripe with world-building and other creatures we haven't seen before in FiM, so you can bet I loved this entire scene. Plus, it gave us probably one of the coolest characters MLP has ever introduced...
At first, I didn't know what to think of Capper when he was first introduced. After the film, though, he easily became my new favorite character. His song was incredible, one of the best in the film (if not the best), and he was just ripe with charm and character. You can bet I'm bringing Capper into my Infinity War crossover. 
So, after the Mane 6 and Spike escape the city from Tempest Shadow and her goons, they hitch a ride on a pirate ship, which is where we are introduced to our next set of characters: Captain Celaeno and her pirate gang! Another excellent addition to the celebrity cast, Zoe Saldana was great as the pirate captain. Her singing voice was surprisingly beautiful, and I got a few good laughs out of the rest of the crew. Loved the pirates, and another fine addition to my Infinity War cast.
Escaping Tempest once again, our ponies find themselves in the abandoned city of the Hippogriffs, where they realize that the Hippogriffs have turned into, say it with me now, Sea Ponies.
Shoo be doo...
I surprisingly didn't hate them! Yes, Princess Skystar and Queen Novo (voiced by Kristin Chenoworth and Uzo Aduba) were excellent additions to the cast! Skystar was supremely adorable, and Novo got some good laughs out of me. Even though they barely helped in the final battle, it was still pretty cool to see them.
And the final battle...
After Twilight makes the mistake of trying to steal the pearl that could have helped them fight against Tempest and take back Canterlot, she and her friends are kicked out of the Hippogriffs' underwater city. Tensions arise between them, an Twilight again pushes her friends away because she believes that singing and making friends isn't going to save the world. Some people thought she was being OOC here, but I thought it was great! It showed a much different side to Twilight, that she was feeling the pressure of being the last princess needing to save the world, and that if she lost, then Equestria lost. I completely understand her frustrations at her friends.
Then Twilight's captured by Tempest and taken to the Storm King, forcing the rest of the Mane 6 and Spike (with help from Capper, the pirates, and Skystar) to get her back and save the day! And they do! The final battle was great, the ponies had some shining moments (especially Fluttershy) and Capper even used Spike as a flamethrower. Yeah. Never knew how much I wanted to see that until I actually saw the movie.
As for the final fight between the ponies and the Storm King, I thought it was alright, may have happened a little too fast, but it was still good. And then Tempest happened...
I don't hate this character (she was the best villain) but it was just yet again with another villain being reformed. Then again, the Storm King was evil to the end, so that was great. Oh, yeah, they straight up murder the Storm King by the way. I can understand why its PG now. I did like Tempest, though. Another fine character for the Infinity War crossover.
Then, we get a final party with an original song performed by Sia!
Damn good song. Damn good ending. Damn good film.
So, yeah, those were my thoughts! Oh, and if anyone was wondering where Discord was, he had two cameos (one at the start and end of the film, the credits specifically). People complained that Discord's absence was never explained, but come on, he could've solved the entire conflict with a snap of his claws. He was probably just goofing around in his chaos dimension or something.
But yeah, thanks for reading! Definitely check out the film if you haven't already!
9/10!
Film was amazing, I loved it myself, however I wished Starlight had a bigger role, but at least we got a Cameo, I mean, given the feats of magic Starlight has done, she would've made a great ally in the fight, but I guess due to plot she got overwhelmed by Storm King's lackeys off screen or something
I admit that I liked it. The songs were catchy, the new characters were fun, and Tempest is one of the best villains in the series. That said, I'm not especially big on Twilight's actions. Now the movie did make a point of showing Twilight's anxiety rearing up again, and with the crisis, it's not inconceivable that she'd try to steal the pearl thing, but I like to think she'd know better by this point. Also, while Rarity, Rainbow, and Pinkie all got the chance to sway people to their side, Applejack and Fluttershy didn't get to do anything really important, and it feels like they tried to give all of the Mane Six time to shine, but failed.
Something else that really bothers me: The Storm King. Sure, when he's onscreen, he's a delight, somehow out-hamming Discord, didn't know that was possible. But we don't know where he come from, what his ultimate goals are, why he's such a douche, and he only shows up for the last 20 minutes. It feels like he was mostly there to be someone unlike Tempest who can't be redeemed (also, holy shit, they actually killed him). Really, all we know is that he brands himself as an evil overlord, seems to come from outside Equestria, and hates the cuteness of Equestria. It just feels like a wasted opportunity.
Now, it's not bad, not bad at all. It's just not the pinnacle of the show it could've been.
4690532 Yeah, could've done more with Storm King honestly, I read the Prequel to the Movie and I thought he'd have a bigger role
Making Storm King second villain to be killed(sombra though in comics he was revived and once again reforms)
But my major problem was the movie seemed like a big cliche and it was good but I felt like the fight scenes should be better and some other parts but overall 7.5/10
4690172 Given how powerful the show has made her out to be, I'm surprised she was overwhelmed at all.
4690532 Yeah, I can definitely see where people are coming from on Twilight being OOC. Also, I did wish for the Storm King to get more development. Kinda disappointing that he didn't.
4690924 The final fight kind of made up for the lack of fight scenes in the film (loved Fluttershy comforting a crying storm guard, and Pinkie painting one in cupcakes was hilarious).
4691253
EXACTLY, it was pure plot, Starlight was present at the festival and everything watching Trixie set off Firework's, would've been cool to see a fight between her and Tempest though
4691255
Yah
Especially the screw it and burn everyone with spike scene
4691253
If you read the idw comics you'll more on hippogriff pirates capper tempest and storm King
The movie mainly assume almost everyone read the comics
4691281
Let's not forget Derpy sacrifice
Even though it wasn't really to some people but hey I like to think it that way
4690532
Read the idw MLP movie prequel comics
4690648
At least he was a bit funny not really that threatening in movie tbh
He was still cool though
I read prequel too