New movie trailer – some thoughts

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This wasn't what I was intending to post about today, but it's not something I can really ignore! The second full-length trailer for My Little Pony: The Movie appeared yesterday. I don't think the thumbnail is particularly spoilery, so the embed is going up here. Past the break, though, I'll be talking about what I felt about this new promo, and that will have spoilers aplenty!

First up: What about Fluttershy? We've had two trailers now, and she hasn't said a single line. I am not pleased. This had better not be a repeat of Rainbow Rocks (where she got not one word of solo singing). Andrea Libman is great as Pinkie Pie, but she's not only Pinkie Pie, and I'd quite like the promoters to appreciate that. I don't think Applejack has been allowed to speak, either, and that's also irritating.

Okay, to other things. This trailer seems more coherent somehow than the first one, despite reusing some lines and footage. Things just feel a little more connected and slick, which I suppose you'd expect from a later trailer. A poster on EqD who went to the preview at HasCon (but can't talk about it because NDA) says the film is darker than you'd expect from MLP, and I can believe it.

I'm not entirely sure I like Rarity's whining (no, not complaining) near the end – it feels like a less developed form of her character from a few years ago. I'm also not a huge fan of the song used for this trailer; it's nowhere near as catchy as "Off to See the World" from the first one. Tempest is increasingly growing on me, though, as actually is the Storm King.

The animation seems to have been smoothed out a bit since last time. The 2D stuff is pretty much as you were, but the 3D CGI airship definitely looks better than it did, and no longer seems out of place and obtrusive. The pirate parrot's use of "booty" is... well, I guess it's a PG film, but if it turns out that stuff like fart jokes is included I may just scream.

All in all, though, I think this is looking promising. If you like epic pirate adventures on airships (hi there, iisaw) I suspect this is going to be a pretty enjoyable ride. Probably not quite up there with the very best of the show writing-wise, especially given the need to introduce the characters to new audiences, but I suspect better than the first EqG. I'd take that.

Also, the VAs for the Mane Six and Spike finally get on-screen credits! After all the guest stars, and all squashed onto one screen, but at least it's something.