MLP Movie Review · 8:58pm Oct 8th, 2017
MLP Movie Review
Hello everyone. Who missed me doing reviews? Admit it, you guys missed me.
HAHA very funny, you guys.
Anyways, I am here today because we have a movie to review….and it’s not Equestria Girls four or the first episode of “The Mare that Became Queen”. Either way, both would take a long time to review.
I am here today to review a movie that just came out this weekend and that I took my chance upon seeing it…No it wasn’t the lastest episode of Daughter of Discord, though I would be surprised that DF managed to buy a theater out just to screen one of her audio dramas. That would be like a dream come true.
Anyways, I am reviewing the MLP movie that just came out recently. So, let’s get started with reviewing this movie
Autistic Writer: AND AWAY WE GO......
Autistic Writer Reviews MLP: The Movie
Now, this isn’t the first time My Little Pony has had a movie.
There have been several My Little Pony movies throughout the years since My Little Pony’s induction into society. Equestria Girls happen to be the recent ones for this generation. But, this is the first time we are getting a theater experience of this generation. Is it any good?
Let’s dive into this movie to find out. Let’s start with….
ANIMATION
I wanted to get this one out of the way since it is the biggest part of this movie.
Now, this might come as a surprise, but this movie is based on a TV show. It’s based on My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Now, in the show, the animation has gone a long way. From Season 1 to Season 7, the animation on the show has changed a lot. I am guessing that they are going to stick with the same animation for this movie. Let’s see the flawed animation of this movie compared to the show.
OH my gosh…they changed the animation? OH MY GOSH!
Oh yeah, it’s real alright. For the movie, MLP changed the animation from the show to this style. It certainly show the craftsmanship upon what the people behind Friendship is Magic was trying to make. The animation does feel fluid and fresh. The characters interact differently than what the show pulls out. We see the expressions on their faces. They almost look like pluse toys that are…..
*AW’s pluse toys glare at him*
Well, there is no pluse invasion here…*Whistles*
Anyways, the animation certainly looks great. However, the only thing I feel is wrong with it is that I am not used to this style of animation. Secondly, there is a larger problem that has to do with the characters, but I will get to that later.
Animation score: 9/10
PLOT
No, I am not talking about the rear end of a horse. I am talking about the plot of this movie. What the heck is this movie all about?
Twilight Sparkle and her friends are ready to host their friendship festival in Canterlot. Everypony is coming near and far. They even got the musical talent of Sia to be in this movie…I mean Songbird Serenade. I wonder if she sings “Alive” or “The Greatest”.
Anyways, the party is crashed by Tempest Shadow. A unicorn with a broken horn, Tempest follows a creature named the Stom King. She demands the power of the four alicorn princesses. A fight ensues with the princess vs Tempest Shadow, her minion Grubber and her army of Storm Creatures. Princess Celestia, Luna and Cadence are captured, but Twilight and her friends manage to get away and to start on their adventure of seeking help from the queen of the Hippos. Will Twilight and her friends succeed on their mission?
Well, much like how other people have said, this plot is formulaic. It’s an adventure movie like some of the episodes of the series. However, it’s very different type of adventure entirely. While they get from place to place, it’s the group’s interactions that are the best of the humor in this movie. We do get laughs from the villain characters, but Pinkie Pie and everyone else do share the humor.
So, what are the pros and cons of this movie?
Well, the plot may have the runs of the typical adventure movie, it’s interactions with the outside characters is what makes things different. There’s levels of who can you trust in the outside world much like real life. Each location they are in is surreal and it shows how the people behind the show put their all into this movie. They don’t take advantage of the movie in any way.
Instead of stating the cons, I am doing the ten questions I had during this movie?
10. Why doesn’t the ponies fight back? Seriously, they have had so many invasions that you would think that they would have had a proper way of fighting back. These ponies need to fight back in some way.
9. Celestia asks Luna to get the Queen of the Hippogriffons to help out. Celestia…don’t you have other allies to help you? I mean you do have an ally with the Changelings? Ugh.
8. I know the princesses are supposed to be powerful, yet they are instantly defeated. Why is that? I know it’s for the movie’s sake, but seriously?
7. I’m wondering if Ponies are a delicacy in the Bad Lands.
6. I am just wondering if the Storm King decided to invade Equestria during Discord’s off days. Just wait until Discord decides to spend the day at home.
5. Where the heck was the royal guards during this attack? Was it like the Storm King’s version of his once a day break?
4. I know that this movie has songs and they sing it on their adventure, but with every song I hear, I am just thinking of the poor ponies in Canterlot being enslaved, captured or other horrific events.
3. I’m wondering why the queen of the hippogriffs didn’t tell Celestia of what happened? It seems like she doesn’t know they became Sea ponies.
2. What’s Sunset Shimmer doing when this is all going down? Is she camping with Twilight and friends? Is there another movie happening?
1. I’m shocked that Starlight was captured so easily. You would think that she would have tagged along on this adventure? Poor, poor Starlight.
While the plot was iffy at times, it still made for an enjoyable movie.
Plot Score: 8.1/10
CHARACTERS
So, this one will be having different sections. Let’s start with….
Main Characters
Twilight: Most people say that Twilight was too harsh in this movie. I tend to argue against it. Twilight was trying to find a way to save Equestria. She might have been going about it wrong, but at least she did her best.
Pinkie Pie: I felt Pinkie Pie gave it her all in this movie. She was my favorite support for comedy and drama. You can tell that Pinkie was a big character in this movie.
Rarity and Rainbow Dash: Rarity and Rainbow Dash teetered the line between used and unused. Rarity was where I got a laugh at, but I enjoyed her character’s drama. I don’t know about Rainbow. I felt she was okay. She rallied some pirates getting their spirits back. That’s got to be worth something.
Applejack, Fluttershy and Spike: I felt that these three were very underplayed in this movie. Fluttershy and Applejack were given very little to do. Spike should have been the support for Twilight. While he was there, it still didn’t feel like Spike. Fluttershy talking to the Storm creature made me laugh. I am sure someone is writing a fanfiction about now.
New Characters
I’ll be talking about Tempest and the Storm King later. Right now let’s focus on the new ones.
Capper: He was ironically a cool cat. He might have been wrong with his methods, but I am glad it was Rarity to show him that not everyone is wicked and cruel. Honestly, I do ship them together.
Captain Celaeno and Pirates: While she didn’t get enough screentime, she did prove enough to be a cool character. Besides, she is voiced by Gamora. How can you not define that as AWESOME! The pirates were cool too.
Grubber: I honestly felt this guy didn’t get enough screen time. I would loved to see him with Tempest.
Queen Novo: While I wasn’t a big fan of her, I did think she did just fine. Maybe reaffirm her relationship with Celestia, but I honestly want to know more about this character. Will we see her in the future?
Princess Skystar: I loved Kristen Cheoweth in this movie. They had the most perfect part for her. She’s going to be a fine ruler one day.
Background Characters
I won’t be diving into much here since they were all captured and did a great job showing up at the beginning, but I think we all can agree who is the best background character in this movie is…
Character Score: 8.5/10 (I’ll explain why at the end.
THEME
There were a few themes that this movie covered.
Trust vs Mistrust
This movie had a great balance of which creature you can trust vs who you can’t trust. I think this works in reverse. Capper was thought to be trusting in this movie; until it turns out he wanted to sell the Mares and Spike to get out of a debt. However, Rarity and the other treat him with kindness that he helps them out.
And there is one theme that this movie had. I think I need Discord’s help with this one since everyone knows this one. You could say that…..
Theme: 10/10
Favorite Moment
There are so many to pick from. Alright let’s go with the Top Five
5. Opening Scene: I think this one of itself needs a top ten moments. You see most to all the background characters of the show. Almost everypony is included. Derpy, Lyra, BonBon, among others are there to decorate the opening scene.
4. Fluttershy talking to a Storm Creature: While I felt Fluttershy was underutilized in this movie, this scene proved me wrong. I started laughing so hard seeing her wanting to talk to the creature instead of fighting it. I am just wishing a fanfic would be made of this scene.
3. Rainbow by Songbird Serenade: What a way to end the movie with a song from Sia. I honest liked the hope that the song brings. We did hear it earlier, but the ending part is where this song shines.
2. Twilight and Pinkie Pie’s Argument: This is my favorite part of the film that isn’t a song. After Twilight and company gets kicked out of the Sea Pony Kingdom, Pinkie yells at Twilight resulting in the company separating from Twilight and Spike. Now, this isn’t the first time this happened. However, what I loved about this scene is this.
Twilight: Pinkie we can’t just keep partying and having rainbows and expect everything to be okay in the end.
Pinkie Pie: You’re wrong Twilight and this is why you are wrong.
This scene elevates why I love Pinkie Pie. Sure, she loves having a good time with parties, but she honestly develops the important aspect of this movie and friendship: Trust.
1
Open up your eyes
This scene is what separates Tempest Shadow from the other villains of MLP. Sure most of them have had horrible backstories, but Tempest Shadow, we learn not just her past, but why she hates Friendship in general. It’s a realistic version of life. The loss of her horn changed the way her friends viewed her. Now, she wants her horn back and she shows Twilight the lengths she is willing to go to get her horn back.
So, with that said….i am forgetting something…Oh yeah.
MLP MOVIE’S BIGGEST FLAW
So, you wonder why I didn’t make the mention of the Storm King? Or even Tempest Shadow?
Well, that’s the reason this film isn’t a good one. Yeah, the biggest problem for me is taking the Storm King as this movie’s villain.
Storm King: WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? I’m a great villain.
No you are not.
Storm King: Yes I am,
No you are not
Storm King: YES I AM
Fine, you want me to prove it?
Storm King: Yes
Alright then, name me one cruel act that you have done?
Storm King: I have invaded Equestria…..
No, that was Tempest Shadow. It may have been through your orders, but Tempest invaded Equestria starting with Canterlot.
Storm King: Well, I…Drained the princess of their magic
Yeah, so did Tirek and he was more threatening.
Storm King: I am a better villain than Tirek
No, you want to know who is a better villain than you? Tempest Shadow
Storm King: Huh?
Tempest Shadow might have been a secondary villain to you, but she is a much better villain. We know her past, we know her motivations, we know what she wants and why she wants it. You….don’t kid me, you are a horrible villain. Even if Tempest Shadow is another redeeming character in the short list of characters that have turned from Evil to Good, but at least her redemption is fleshed out and not forced.
Storm King: YOU….
*Autistic Writer turns Storm King to stone and kicks him*
As I was saying….
Conclusion
MLP movie is not a good film. It’s a great one. If I am to compare it to the past movies including the Equestria Girls films, I would say that this actually makes the number one spot. It is formulaic and the Storm King isn’t an impressive character, this movie does capture what the show represents and more.
The Animation is great, the plot is a formula but it makes up for it with its characters, the music is beyond amazing, the themes are well capture and it was an overall good film. I highly recommend this to anyone that wants to see this movie.
MLP MOVIE FINISHING SCORE
90/100
There’s only one way to end this. I brought in a special guest today that will help me in closing out this review. Everyone give it up for Songbird Serenade.
*Sings and Dances with Songbird Serenade*
Autistic Writer: “I can see a Rainbow, in your tears as they fall on down. I can see your soul grow. Through the pain as they hit the ground.
Songbird Serenade: He’s the Autistic Writer. Until next time, he’ll see you later.
Overall I like the movie too. It was fun and that was the purpose of the movie. Did you know Cappers' song was the first time they incorporated Tango music into My Little Pony?
4691715
I did not know that. Yeah, i liked the movie too. I just didn't think the Storm King wasn't that great of a villain. People said that Twilight was too harsh in this movie, but i don't think so at all.
4691776
It was mentioned in the BTS making of the movie for the music department. You can find it on Youtube.
4691814
Ahh, i see.
Dude absolutely great review. You actually pointed out a few things that I missed while watching it. Yeah I picked up that trust was a big thing in the film, but never did it click in my head that it was the theme. Sure I saw how obvious trust played a central role, just didn't think "oh, wait, that's called the theme".
I really want to just watch it over again XD
Also, more Capperity? Heh you and Missy are in the same boat XD
4692054
I see. Yeah, i liked it. But, it does have it's problems
4692061
Yeah it has its problems, but still was one hell of a good time ^^
Great review AW^^! I mentioned your review in my review:
https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/771235/miss-koi-finally-reviews-the-mlp-movie