Film review: My Little Pony: The Movie

I like the way each character's expression is fitted to them

You'll already know from my spoiler-free review of My Little Pony: The Movie that I enjoyed the film. At that time, I'd only seen it once, but I've since been to the cinema again (this time with the Worcester meet mob). And on that occasion, since I knew more or less what was coming, I could relax a bit and watch out for certain things. So, under the cut is a spoiler-filled review of the movie.

Note: all screenshots are from official trailers

I haven't changed my view from last time that this is a very enjoyable film if, and only if, you're not too fussed about the fine details of the movie-maker's art. It most certainly has its flaws, notably uneven pacing and too many new characters, and there's nowhere near enough Fluttershy for any self-respecting film. However, as a movie to kick back and let wash over you, it makes a pretty good hour and a half.

As might be expected from a film that went into production three years ago, the Mane Six are noticeably less developed than we know today. Right from the start, Twilight is less certain of her role as Princess of Friendship – she also gets lumbered with the almost hilariously clunky "the three most royal princesses of Equestria" line early on. Rainbow is less mature, Rarity's vanity is occasionally over the top (the falling mirror), etc.

Sure, Zootopia did it bigger. But did that have flying ponies, hmm?

As for Fluttershy... well, it's hard to tell, isn't it, as she barely gets anything to do. She has one great scene with the Storm King's guard late on, and a couple of cute moments early on with her songbird choir, but not much more than that. I had a fair idea this was coming, so it wasn't a shock, but it was still annoying. S7 Fluttershy would not have spent 90% of this adventure a cowering wreck. If there's a sequel, please change this.

It's actually Pinkie who steps forward into being this movie's most interesting Mane Sixer. Although occasionally suffering from S4-itis, she does mix plenty of fun moments with a central place in the film's most memorable scene: her confrontation with Twilight on the beach. I'm very much in the camp that loved this scene, regardless of wondering about Twi's actions. Both times I saw it in the cinema, there was quiet at this point, even from otherwise chatty kids.

Was it out of character for Twilight to behave as she did? Yes and no. I think her "this isn't Equestria" comment is the key here. She's desperate, and desperation drives people to do things they otherwise wouldn't dream of. Attempting to steal the pearl is bad enough, but almost seeming on the verge of threatening Pinkie (that Tempest-like crackling horn) is one of the scariest things I've ever seen from Twi.

Looks like those fans from "Fame and Misfortune" are back

The scene where they part on the beach was also highly reminiscent of S4, specifically the scene in the Everfree Forest in that season's premiere. Even so, the moment Spike arrived with news that Twilight had been captured, the others knew they'd be going to get her back. It was spot on that Rainbow, representing loyalty, took the lead here, but also heart-warming to see how much they care for their friend.

Among my few real complaints about the Mane Six's characterisation is that they seemed less capable than they were even by early S4. I'm not at all convinced that all of them would have been convinced so quickly by Capper singing a song – he's not Kaa – while being told you're about to be thrown overboard by pirates is far from a death sentence when you have three ponies who can fly among your number.

Let's consider the new characters. Capper, against my expectations, had actual charisma and almost made me forget how stupid an anthro cat looked with the ponies. The pirates were fun and gave us the chance to see a bit of zeppelin action, though not quite as much actual buckling of swashes as I'd hoped. The inhabitants of Klugetown weren't that interesting on the whole, and I only had a clue who Verko was because I'd read the prequel comic.

There are some nice lighting effects in this scene

Right then, Tempest. She was the one guest who was given time to develop and have a bit of backstory (though again, reading the comics helped). She generally made "broken-horned unicorn" work without seeming like a terrible OC, and it was actually good to see an Ursa Minor being genuinely dangerous again. MLP is usually all about reformation and redemption, so the end of her character arc was fine, Fizzlepop Berrytwist and all. Grubber? I tolerated, but didn't love.

Tempest's boss, on the other hoof... the Storm King (again, more depth in the comics) provided an interesting mix of silliness and menace that I actually felt worked quite well. He was like a Roger Moore-era Bond villain, I suppose. What people will remember, though, is that he became only the second villain in G4 (after Sombra) to be straight-up smashed to pieces. Perhaps fitting for a film that sometimes seemed fairly dark for its U certificate.

And then there were the seaponies/hippogriffs. Come on, guys, would it have killed you to have given us just one shoo-be-doo? :( Still, Skystar was entertaining, though she's definitely an "in small doses" character. Novo probably had a little less charisma than she thought she did, but Shelley and Sheldon might well take the crown for best characters in this section of the film. Nice visuals in this part of the film, too.

Seaweed, moss or kelp?

The undersea bit was also the setting for "One Small Thing", a very enjoyable (if really Disneyesque) song. The songs Daniel Ingram actually wrote were very good indeed and make use of the full orchestra, particularly "Open Up Your Eyes" and "I'm the Friend You Need", though I think he's done even better in the show itself. I was sorry we didn't get a proper opening theme, and even sorrier that Ingram's song opening for the first scene was replaced by a mediocre cover of "We Got the Beat". Correction 24 Dec 17: Ingram didn't write a song, he wrote an opening.

I'd also like to give a mention to the film's score, which benefits maybe even more than the songs from the presence of an orchestra. The fact that I barely noticed it first time round is probably a good thing, as it suggests it was always appropriate for the situation. One thing I really liked was that, in that Twilight/Pinkie scene, there is no music until the actual confrontation, and not all that much afterwards. Far too many movies and TV shows plaster on the tunes.

Mention of the start of the movie brings me to the animation. I definitely think it works better on the big screen than at home; apart from a few bits of CGI (yes, that airship again) looking a bit rickety and a couple of slightly odd facial expressions, the whole thing looked lovely to me. Dash's sonic rainboom (which definitely works best on a cinema screen) is a good example, as is the opening scene's flight through Canterlot.

"But Madame Pinkie's tent is just over there!"

As with the Equestria Girls films, there were plenty of nods to the fans, though mostly (and sensibly) kept away from the main story. Derpy got a pretty significant role, while most of the other fan favourites were at least glimpsed. (I'm sure Starlight will get more of a look-in if there's an MLP:TM 2.) The end credits probably come into this category too, which was a good thing as they do go on a bit.

Sia's part as Songbird Serenade was rather obviously there as a "Look! Big guest star! This is a major motion picture!" thing, and she didn't really contribute much beyond providing a striking character (and toy) design and a moderately decent pop song. Still, she didn't get in the way of the main plotline either, so I don't really object. Celestia, Luna and Cadance were thrown under the bus early on, but hey ho.

As many people have said, My Little Pony: The Movie doesn't make that many concessions to people who don't already know the characters (that scene must be less powerful for those new to MLP) and it does try to stuff too much into its running time. Nevertheless, despite a selection of quibbles and oddities, I will be buying My Little Pony: The Movie as soon as we get it on home formats, presumably in the spring.

Big Mac's cutie mark is a bit excessive, even for him!

Best quote: Twilight: "Friendship didn't fail me. I failed friendship."

Yays

• That scene with Pinkie and Twilight
• The animation style, for the most part
• Tempest was quite an interesting pony
• Some catchy songs and a good score
• Not being afraid to go dark in places
• Several nice callbacks, eg the Ursa
• The hilariously blatant Hungry Hungry Hippos line

Neighs

• Pacing felt a bit rushed at times, due to so many characters
• Mane Six regressed to S4-era personalities
• The opening song is below par
• Not enough Fluttershy (or Applejack, come to that)

★★★★