Moth's Review of My Little Pony: The Movie (Spoilers) · 10:28pm Oct 9th, 2017
Today, I set foot in a movie theater for the first time in ten years. The last time I saw a movie in theaters was Spider-Man 3 back in 2007.
Before I get into this, I'd just like to say that price of EVERYTHING aside, I loved my actual moviegoing experience at Beaumont's Cinemark 15, and I'm probably going to make a point of going there once or twice a year because it's just a really great place to go see a movie in comfort and style.
And now, we'll get to the thing you actually care about:
My review of My Little Pony: The Movie.
Before I get to the breakdown, I'm going to say this straight out:
The Equestria Girls movies are better. The season 4 finale is better. Hell, the season 6 finale is better.
Now, let's break it down by the numbers.
PLOT: 5/10
This was like seeing an IDW MLP comic on the big screen. And not one of the better ones, like the early Chrysalis arc or Neigh Anything. One of the ones that made me give up on them, like the Book Eraser Pony or the RIDICULOUS Siege of the Crystal Empire arc. The pacing was horrendous. The movie tried to introduce too many new places too fast. It needed about 20 more minutes to make everything it tried to do work. The Storm King was a severely underwhelming villain. (More on that later.) The Mane Six were BADLY nerfed to accomodate the plot, reducing what they're actually capable of to "Oh no, let's all run away, ahhh!" until they ACTUALLY REMEMBER SOMETHING USEFUL THEY CAN DO for plot-contrived reasons, and THEN it's usually to drive the plot deeper into "Oh Crap We're Doomed" territory. I was, however, impressed that this is only the second time we've seen a Generation 4 villain actually die.
VISUALS: 9/10
The only thing in this movie I have absolutely no complaints about. I loved this animation style. I loved the art style here.
MUSIC: 3/10
I'm sorry, but...
One of the most important elements of the movie, of anything MAJOR MLP gen 4 does? Was a massive fail here. The only two good songs were "Open Up Your Eyes" and "Rainbow". The rest are just...there. Forgettable. Generic. Uninspiring.
HEART: 6/10
Not to say this movie had no soul. It did. It had heart. The driving emotional force of this movie came from Twilight, Tempest, and Pinkie. When Twilight lost everything and was captured and realized she'd failed friendship, that made me sad. Ditto with Tempest at the climax.
NEW CHARACTERS: 2/10
Good GOD.
Okay, straight up? Almost all the new characters introduced in this movie can die in a fucking fire. The only two new characters introduced that are worth a hunk of donkey dunk are Tempest Shadow and Songbird Serenade. I don't dislike Princess Skystar, but she's...just not necessary. I mean, they could've replaced her with Gabby Griffon and accomplished the same thing. EXTRA SPECIAL Fuck You Points go to the Storm King, who is...the single most pathetic villain the franchise has ever coughed up. I mean, seriously, anyone is supposed to be afraid of this pitiful fool? He's a JOKE! His grunts are way better villain characters than he is. And as for the "new friends"...the bird pirates were okay but ultimately forgettable, and Capper...
Just don't get me started on Capper.
But let's talk about Tempest Shadow for a minute.
Tempest Shadow is frankly the best thing about this movie. This, folks, is how you do Pony Vader AMAZINGLY RIGHT. And yeah, okay, so she's another insanely powerful evil unicorn who got reformed by FRIENDSHIP and we didn't actually need another one of those, but damned if she isn't awesome.
FAMILIAR FACES: 5/10
They certainly did include plenty of cameos and things for the fans. But the Mane Six were handled incredibly poorly here. I'm sorry, they were. If this had come out four years ago, immediately after Twilight became an alicorn? Then yeah, this would've worked better, but after seven seasons, this just...didn't really handle our old familiar pony friends very well at all. And I can't even believe I'm saying this, but it's complete bullshit that Starlight Glimmer was reduced to a cameo appearance in the end credits roll.
I'll give them credit for doing reasonably well by Spike, at least.
CANONICITY: 0/10
Yeah no. #NotCanon. Like I said, it was like an animated IDW comic.
FUN: 5/10
So yeah, it wasn't awful and there were a number of things here I enjoyed. But on the whole? It just didn't deliver on fun.
OVERALL SCORE: 5.5/10
I'm sorry to say that after all the hype and all the build-up, My Little Pony: The Movie failed on almost every conceivable level. It's just not very good. Your time is better spent on a marathon of the Equestria Girls movie, or binge-watching your favorite episodes. Because this? It just...wasn't really that good.
Well, add another item to the growing pile of things we completely disagree on, because I f*cking LOVED everything about the movie, and would gladly watch it over most, if not all, of the series itself.
And Tempest has dethroned season 5 Starlight as my favorite villain of G4 as a whole.
And Open Up Your Eyes, Time to Be Awesome, and I'm the Friend You Need are among my favorite songs from G4 as a whole as well.
As I understand it, the script for this was written four years ago, so yeah, it would have worked perfectly then. I agree completely on everything else.
I would like to see the bird pirates again though.
I never thought I would see a character that made me like Jar Jar Binks, but Capper did it.
Tempest Shadow was one of the best things about this movie
Really? Tempest Shadow?
... Huh. Have not yet seen the movie, but my expectations are that I'll hate her guts.
Addendum: You compared it to the really bad IDW stuff, right? Well, seems like the IDW stuff about the movie is actually pretty good!
I found it hilarious how Tempest kept saying how powerful the alicorns are, yet she takes them down like they're a couple of low level jobbers. Either make them gods or not, all this contradicting bullshit for the sake of plot is just a massive pissoff.
4692811
Dude, Tempest is the only thing in this movie I actually want to use in a fanfic.
Uh, pretty sure this movie is going to be at least secondary canon, they even said it takes place between Seasons 7 and 8 (but probably should've set it between Seasons 4 and 5 even if that would've meant a few less cameos).
All the songs by Daniel Ingram were pretty good, as was the end credits song. Just didn't care for ponyfied "We Got The Beat" that's gonna be dated a few years from now, should've either had an orchestral variation of the theme or gone the route of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy or Deadpool and have a retro song.
I actually disagree on Tempest Shadow, not that I hate her. The Storm King may have needed a bit more backstory to be threatening, but what we got of him I liked even down to the fact that unlike some of the other villains he didn't outright dismiss friendship, he just didn't think it was gonna be enough to stop him, and quite frankly who could blame him with how power happy he got with his staff? And of course, like all major villains ever, he's a total d**k to his underlings. The one new character we didn't need was Grubber, what role did he serve other than comedic relief?
I consider this movie to be the show's take on The Transformers: The Movie except without killing off or writing out your favorite characters to make room for the new ones.
So you thought that Tempest seemed like a pony Darth Vader too, not that that's a bad thing Darth Vader and any "clones" of him are awesome. A little harsh at some points, I enjoy the movie for what it is, but respect if others feel differently.
If you don't consider the film canon and Tempest being the only good new character in it how do you plan to work her into any of your fanfics?
4692819
Weeell, there can be different reasons for wanting that... XD Jokes aside though, I am going to watch it. I'll try to keep an open mind. Even though the book kinda soured me on her, and the fact that I'm seriously sick of the superpowered-Unicorn-instant-redemption plot.
You're right about it: Maybe I wouldn't feel like this if they hadn't pushed Starlight Glimmer so hard before this. Or maybe I would. The fact that the non-pony villain dies and the Unicorn lives... I dunno.
I found it an enjoyable box of parts, but as a story... Pony-flavored, but store brand. The IDW comparison isn't entirely unmerited.
Still, I already have a fantastic story idea that, among other things, involves Sunset being called in for a telepathic interrogation that results in tearful hugs. As I said, a great box of parts.
Gotta say I loved all the songs except for Rainbow (but that's just not my kind of music) I've listened to them all several times and to be fair some I only really started like after listening to them a couple a times. Capper is probably my favourite new non-villain character he's just a really cool character and very different from any character we've ever seen in the show before. I like tempest, not much more to say there.
I loved the Storm King, he was a blast every time he was on screen and I wish he was in it more. Not sure why people think he is incompetent, sure he's a little goofy but he had everything under control before Twilight's friends ruined everything. I mean first thing he does with the staff is blast Twilight, you gotta give him points for that he didn't make a single dumb decision which is impressive. He would of even succeeded in trapping the Main 6 if not for Tempest's last minute intervention.
As for the Main 6 being nerfed, I disagree they are not bad asses they aren't gonna fight off an entire army during a surprise attack. They are definitely ones to run unless they have no choice but to fight though to be fair they didn't run so much as get knocked off the mountain.
Overall I loved the movie and would give it an 8/10. Sure the plot was predictable but it wasn't bad and all the characters were great though Applejack and Fluttershy kind of got the shaft compared to the others.
It is definitely canon since we'll have a sea pony character next season. Not sure if they will reference anything (they never did with EQG and that is canon as well) but Luna better still have a throne.
4692830
Tempest can have her backstory and stuff without, y'know, the rest of the non-Equestrian baggage the movie dragged in.
There are a few movie theaters in my area, but yeah, Cinemark is generally the best of the bunch from my own experiences. That's not to say the others are bad, at least not around here, but I simply prefer going to Cinemark when I have the chance to watch a new movie.
I greatly enjoyed it, but I'm easy to please. But Tempest, ooooooohhhh, Tempest.
I have a story idea. Yes, it involves Sunset. It's going to be terrible.
I'm glad spike got to kill something.
4692862
I dusted off a protoform of a story this morning that the EG version of Tempest might make a good villain for. I just need to decide if her super-ride is analogous to Goliath or KARR...
I liked Capper, but yeah, some of the other characters I agree with. Especially Grubber. And the only song I don't care about is Rainbow's song of awesomeness.
When ppl talk about how great this movie is, I'm going to go to my happy place where the S7 finale was made feature length, so I can heartily agree with them.
4692878
Was it Sunset Rider?
Daedalus Aegle made this comment. Addresses several of the problems with the movie you bring up.
Also someone mentioned that the prequel comics for the movie answer why the Storm King is rather pathetic.
I personally enjoyed the movie; visuals we definitely agree on since as is expected, TV series to movie gets a budget increase in that department and it shows when we see Canterlot.
"Time to be Awesome" was an enjoyable mid-movie tune and so was "One Small Thing"; basically, I liked the songs we got and it could've been a lot worse by way of pop songs.
I hope we see more of the bird pirates, Tempest Shadow and so forth; perhaps expand upon their characterstics; as for the Mane Six.....I read someone else's review for this on deviantArt and.....them being "nerfed" somewhat works into the story; they were forced from their comforts of home to unknown lands, lands where people only do things if they can get something in return as oppose as doing it for the sake of doing good. As for Storm King.....yeah.....he didn't quite live up to expectations once he got onto the screen.
And as for canoncity....
https://www.equestriadaily.com/2017/10/the-my-little-pony-movie-takes-place.html
.....yeah....
A friend of mine pointed out this blog post, and there is one thing I would like to comment on:
Between a festival getting attacked, a villain who's known for enslaving ponies, the princesses being turned to stone, the main villain being redeemed at the end, and the questionable usage of both main and supporting characters, the movie is extremely similar to Siege of the Crystal Empire if you think about it. The one thing that the movie does differently, aside from adding a bunch of new characters, would be the adventuring to different lands and a few other specifics.
Furthermore, I'm confused as to how the movie would even fit into the show's canon. Most of this stems from Tempest's invasion of Canterlot, which shows a distinct lack of Royal Guards, and the Mane 6's behavior during parts of the movie, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash in particular. The Season 7 finale (which is amazing) creates even more plot holes for the movie if we're to believe it takes place after Season 7, which means the movie would need to rely on a bunch of retcons to start making sense in terms of the show. At least that's how I feel about it.
Anyway, sorry if my unexplained appearance comes as a surprise, and I'm sorry you also weren't too fond of the movie. I just wanted to add my two cents to the discussion because the IDW comment caught my attention.
I read the synopsis for this movie online and it didn't sound like something I'd enjoy
4692826
I think Moth is saying he won't treat it as canon
4692936
how often do the Mane 6 actually rely on outsiders for their wins
4692830
Could always use her character outside of the Equestria setting. Stories like Tomodachi, Persona EG, and Sunset Nanodrive could work her character in theoretically. I've seen other stories work Starlight Glimmer into the plot, despite starting before her character was introduced in the show.
Otherwise, just use her backstory, but say the invasion didn't happen, and she stumbles into Ponyville/Canterlot through other means.
4692978
The movie was never going to fit perfectly into canon it just isn't possible. You just have to not think about it to much.
4692999
They don't normally but that was kind of the point. They were supposed to be venturing outside of their comfort zone, leaving Equestria behind and traveling to lands that don't necessarily run on friendship alone. I am a firm believer that If you enjoy the show you will enjoy the movie, it's not perfect but it has everything that you love about the show except for an unpredictable plot (not that the show isn't occasionally predictable). But honestly plot is only 1/4 of what makes MLP good in the first place. I say lets not focus on the bad and just enjoy what was good and hope that the sequel is better.
4692924
If you can't put your plot hole fixing stuff in the actual movie, it doesn't count. Simply because not everyone who sees the movie will read the comics/books, thus it was probably something that SHOULD have been in the movie itself.
And yeah, I wouldn't hold my breath about the movie being non-canon. They're already saying that this is supposed to have happened between seasons 7 and 8, and Hasbro's history with shows that get a big movie is to make the show incorporate it (See Transformers G1, GI Joe, and heck, G1 MLP). And unlike EqG, they can't use the 'events happened in an alternate dimension, and no one should pay attention to that magic mirror portal in the corner' excuse either. So we'll probably see Tempest and other movie characters in the show (probably with different voice actors though).
https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/766085/my-little-pony-the-movie
I agree with several points made here. In fact, here's my take on MLP: The Movie. Read it, or don't. Up to you.
Will this film be strong enough at the box office to convince Hasbro/Allspark Entertainment to take another crack at a big-screen pony movie?
I kinda liked this scene i.4cdn.org/mlp/1507487382549.gif
4693173
I loved that part, didn't really notice when watching that the one guy totally died XD.
4692978
Yup, the comparison with "Seige(!) of the Crystal Empire" does have some merit. Down to the material leading up to it actually being good.
Can't say I agree on everything. Specifically, I clearly enjoyed the songs a bit more. It's placed in Canon? Yeah, no... Refusing to accept this as canon is just following the path of the anti-EqGers, and I refuse to drink a different flavor of 'kool-aid' that the psychos who are grasping at straws to make sure the (season 7 spoiler alert:) Dazzlings aren't canon to safeguard their precious pony headcanons and are already guzzling by the gallon. The fact is Tempest is MAD bankable and we have one, maybe two creators of this movie returning for season 8, so seeing her (likely with a new voice actress) isn't far-fetched and I'm okay with that. I also enjoyed most the new characters a bit more. I could accept a 4/10, but a 2? You're welcome to you're own opinion but I simply felt either a few weren't 'quite there' rather than something than something that warrants my scorn.
That being said. Familiar faces is the part I really want to touch on because I 100% agree at places and 100% disagree in others. For the most part, the mane cast felt like slightly Flanderized versions of themselves. This worked well with some, Rarity had some good moments even if they where SUPER Rarity, E.G. Pinkie was tad TOO Pinkie in places, much as she is with the latest seasons (For shame Megan! You should know better). They managed to pull a win with Fluttershy towards the end, I felt. Applejack wins the coveted "Who is also in the movie" award (which is maybe on brand?) and Rainbow Dash.... Uh... Let's just remember the cider times and maybe not the part where she almost got everyone killed and possibly used Derpy as a pony shield...
Spike was done well and the little guy deserves mad props for stading by Twilight no matter what poor (if intriguing story-wise) decision she did.
Starlight though? If she was running around with the mane cast, I might have slit my wrist and half-orphaned my 5-year-old daughter who was watching the film with me, confident that the where I live is nice enough that the police would have consoled her long enough for my ex to freak out and make some calls. This might be colored by the fact that I had watched some of the leaks (more finale stuff) and had quite hit my quota for
)
Poochy the Rockin' Dog'sStarlight's back-seat saving the day antics, so I was quite happy for the cameo at the beginning and she and Trixie being in the credits at the end. This relatively new character is already eating massive chunks out of the show. It's okay to have the characters that kicked this all off have their own time in the limelight (plus, it makes for great Fic fodder with her best Grrrreat and Powerful friend and maybe a certain bacon haired possibly-princessHowever, what I REALLY want to touch on is, " his, folks, is how you do Pony Vader AMAZINGLY RIGHT ": I pretty much had a very similar view. That being said, The Storm King is also how you do "Pony" Palpatine very, very wrong IF you haven't read the prequel comics. The movie on its own I felt was _fairly_ solid, but lacking. The comics elevate it a bit, but I still feel the movie gets points docked for needing supplement material to stand properly. So, on its own, I'd have to give it a couple more points than you did certainly, and maybe one more with the comic added.
But the past is the past and we have at least one makers of the movie coming back to the show and taking the reigns (pun not intended, but apt). And, well, considering Tempest is the most bankable thing from the movie... Let's just say if any of you wonder who that maniacal laughter belongs to that you can hear regardless of where you are on the earth or your position in time if Tempest so much as cameos in the show. Just know that Justice has watched Tempest create a pattern where 'Sunset's' name has been replaced with 'Starlight' and 'Starlight's' name has been replaced with 'Tempest' and that irony is so delicious I'll can't but laugh until the universe knows my simultanious dispair and joy.
I personaly liked it but i also saw that it had plenty of flaws but in my opinion nothing to breaking
In some other form where they could have spased it out more and actualy show the materials from the prequal comic it maybe would have been great and at least it did a lot of worldbuilding for the setting which can be used
And we can all agree at least that it could have been a lot worce
Yeah, I'm afraid I disagree with pretty much everything except perhaps the pacing of the story. The Storm King wasn't in this as much as I would've liked but I still enjoyed him as well as the other new characters. As for the music, I think it's the best (and I'm including what's not on the official soundtrack) music I've heard in MLP for awhile.
But again, it's your opinion so I respect it. I just don't think many people will agree. I'm willing to give it an 8.5 because honestly, imo, it was so much better than the EqG movies (sorry Sunset).
I saw it Friday night... I liked it but I didn't love it. I wanted to love it but it never reached that point.
Yeah I rembmer really loving those two arcs. Those felt like episodes.
I think this was my biggest problem withe the movie. It felts rushed.
Honestly I think it would have been more impactful if they had let Tempest go too but that would have been against type... and Twilight catching her made sense. I think i would also have preferred seeing maybe Twiligtht and the Storm King struggling over the staff when they got sucked into the storm as opposed to the long wait they did.
I actually did have one complaint here... Cadance for some reason at least at first looked off. Uncanny valley off. Particularly her eyes. My friend who I saw it with agreed there.
None of them really stuck with me except maybe open your eyes and even that one felt a little weak
Tempest..... Yeah I kinda wish she had died at the end... YET another redeemed super unicorn.... third time is not a charm. Hell I still haven't warmed up to number two.
Yeah... I felt he was just kinda .... there. He was just kind of a generic threat that never really gets fully realized.
I'm with you on the pirates and Capper...I don't feel strongly about. Like the Storm King he feels more plot device. Though I did get a kick outta him using Spike like a flame thrower. MLP the FLAMETROWER! KIDS LOVE IT!
Yeah it really did at the beginning feel like this was early alicornTwilight.
Actually I caught her actually early in the movie... same bit as when Trixie was setting off her fireworks Starlight was in the bottom left corner cheering her. I was glad she wasn't in it significantly.
I think I would have preferred her staying a villian and getting locked up or going out liker her boss did. Redemption should be special and not easy.
If at least still being the butt of the joke more often then not.
For me it was more a 7/10
Good enough to watch once but not actively seek to see again.
If it's on TV and nothing else is on it's good background noise while most of my attention is elsewhere.
I really wanted, at least, some good music out of this.
I've been disappointed with many of the recent EG musical shorts too (and I don't think I ever actively disliked any MLP music until those), so I'm really hoping I don't agree with you on this one.
4692818
I'm starting to think alicorns just...aren't especially powerful at all. I mean, remember Celestia getting clowned by Chrysalis?
I like to think that the movie is in its own separate continuity, much like the comics are. Until season 8 proves me otherwise, that is my headcanon.
4692924
If I have to buy something else to fully understand the thing that I actually paid to watch, you're not writing your story right.
4693370 Actually, Chrysalis noted Shining's love had made her stronger
The decision of making the story self contained is a double edge sword. On one hand, it would make those unfamiliar of the show know this characters but at the same time, especially to those watching 7 seasons of MLP, they would notice that the characters who had great development for 7 seasons had to be nerfed up for the plot to proceed.
I like the movie, but seriously, it has some flaws that didn't make me love it.
4693370
maybe because most of those are not written by Ingram. Based on what I heard, since he was busy for the movie, he didn't had time to write songs for EqG shorts (the "Good Vibes" is apparently his) and DHX hired new songwriters to work on them instead.
4694494
That's not really surprising. "Good Vibes" is the only one I even considered listening to a second time.
4693964
Okay, but what's so special about Shining's love? Love is what she normally eats. Maybe the love of somepony on the verge of marriage is especially strong, but it isn't something amazingly rare either.
The most sensible explanation I can think of is that Celestia simply isn't that powerful, when she's not dealing with the sun, her special talent. Alicorns are specialists just like everypony else, and certainly not deities.
4697041
I see physical Alicorns, like the show ones, as Demigod tier power
I have to disagree on this one, Mr. Moth. I really liked this movie. I found it pretty cool with everything; there was one part that just didn't click with me, but the rest was enjoyable.
No. As a matter of fact, I will get you started on Capper. What you got against him?
4704398
How about everything?
How about how he's Thomas O'Malley The Alley Cat in a My Little Pony movie?
Just for starters.
Also he adds nothing useful to the story. His entire contribution could have been done with an established character. Or at least an equine.