The MLP Movie [Spoilers]

SERIOUSLY, SPOILERS AHEAD. DO NOT READ ON IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE MOVIE YET.

I'M SRS, M8

So, I've seen MLP: The Movie twice in theaters now. The first time, I went alone, and I was literally the only one in the theater. That was kind of cool, but it also made me just a little sad. The showing I went to was too late for little kids, and I guess there just aren't any other bronies in my area. So you know, a little sad.

The second time, I took my mom with me (because I'm just that cool), and it was very similar. There was one other group in the theater with us: a mom and her little daughter. So yeah, at least in my area, not a lot of people going to see MLP.

That's not to say I didn't have fun both times. I had a blast. It was just something I noticed.

"But how was the movie?" I hear you shriek at me. Well, here's what I thought.

Animation: To be honest, when I first saw the trailers for the movie, I was nervous about this. The animation seemed just a little too slick to me, if that makes sense. I now think that my initial reaction was just because I was so used to seeing these characters animated in Flash. Because maybe 30 seconds into the movie, I was used to the animation. I'd even say it's good. It's cool to see what a bigger budget and more time allowed the animators to do. Is it the most beautiful animation I've ever seen? Of course not, but it's on par with what we'd expect from Pony, with a nice little upgrade for the big screen.

Acting: Was good. The main cast of the show were perfectly on point. And the more "celebrity" actors had some great moments. My personal standouts were Emily Blunt as Tempest and Kristen Chenoweth as Princess Skystar.

Story: Yes, I get the feeling that this was the letdown of the movie for a lot of people, and yes, it was kinda predictable. But then again, isn't a lot of the series a bit predictable? The story could have been better, but it was well-done for what it was. I still thought it was a lot of fun, and they wrote some cool action into it. In particular, the sequence where the Mane 6 escape Capper's hideout on the windmill had me grinning like a baboon.

Music: Is this even a question? The music is awesome! Daniel Ingram really reminded us why we love him. The score was well-done, and very cinematic. Again, not just a carbon-copy of something we'd get on the show. And the musical numbers had me humming along after the film ended. What I particularly loved about the songs is how they seemed to transition between musical styles. "We Got This," and "Time to Be Awesome" did feel very show-like, while "Friend You Need" sounded like something out of Aladdin, and then "One Small Thing" was very Broadway. How cool is that? And if you're wondering, my standouts are "Time to Be Awesome" and "Rainbow" (Sia's song from the end).

Characters: This, to me, is what made the movie. The characters we already love are there, and written the way we love them. Then, they (and we) get to meet so many other interesting new additions.

Not every new character is a winner. Tempest's little sidekick bored me at best, made me cringe at worst. But the amazing thing is, he's the exception, not the rule.

I mean, Capper, first off. The thing I first thought (and still think) about him was "Han Solo as a cat." And that's not a criticism, but a positive comparison. He and Han both start off only in things for themselves and their money. But eventually, both their good hearts take over, and they become heroes in their own right. I mean, Han Solo is an iconic character, and no one can really feel his shoes, but Capper is very similar. He's savvy, willing to play dirty when he has to, but still has a roguish charm and ultimately, a heart of gold.

Then, the pirates. They're just cool. I really don't have to say much more than that.

Next, we meet the seaponies/hippogriffs. The movie doesn't give a whole lot of time to them, but what it does counts. I believe their society and its story. And Princess Skystar is pretty darn adorable.

Now we get to the villains. First the Storm King. I've heard people say he's a weak villain, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't see it. But I still like him, and I think that's mostly due to Liev Schreiber's performance. He plays it so hammy and over-the- top, I can't help laughing. The Storm King's genuine disgust for Equestria's cuteness had me in stitches.

And besides, I think people calling the Storm King a weak villain are missing the point. He pretty much only exists as an impetus for Tempest. Because make no mistake, this is Tempest's story.

Tempest Shadow, aka Fizzlepop Berrytwist, aka Badass Broke-horn. Wow. She is a compelling villain. With a really good backstory. I mean, the reason she is what she is adds a touch of dark reality to what can be a very sweet idyllic land. Sometimes friends do turn their back on you, sometimes even for things that aren't your fault. And Tempest just wants Twilight to see things her way for a change. That sometimes friendship isn't quite what it's cracked up to be. Add her compelling motivation to Emily Blunt's excellent performance and the fact that she's genuinely menacing, and you have a pretty great villain.

Alright, I'm almost done. I know I've spent most of this post gushing, but I also recognize that MLP The Movie isn't a perfect film.

But the thing is, that doesn't matter. As long as it wasn't a literal pile of feces on film, I was going to like it. Because this isn't just a movie. It may sound melodramatic, but it's like the culmination of an entire era of my life. I haven't been with the fandom since the very beginning, but I have been since early 2012. That's almost 6 years, and I'm only 23. It's fair to say this show, these characters, and this fandom represent a huge chunk of my life. I've poured a lot of time, energy, and emotion into being a brony, and I'm not ashamed of that. So My Little Pony: The Movie is about seeing this story that has meant so much to me finally on the big screen. It's a borderline spiritual experience, and a great one.

As well as just being a good film.

Thanks for listening to me rant.