E'Yup. I saw this movie in theaters. Was it awkward? It was weird to say "Can I get one ticket to 'My Little Pony: The Movie' please?" but other than that, I was the only one in the movie theater. That's what going at 10 p.m. on a Thursday night will do for you.
But I can honestly say that, if you're a fan of the show "My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic," then you will enjoy this movie. It is the same humor, characterization, storytelling, and mythology as the show but on a much bigger budget and slightly changed animation style. If you don't care for "Friendship Is Magic" or outright hate the show, then you will hate this movie just as much if not more.
This movie isn't going to convert any haters or disbelievers of the show into fans. Like "Friendship Is Magic" in general, it is targeted mostly towards little kids and this movie excels at keeping those toddlers and little girls engrossed. The adult fans of the show? It depends on what they're looking for.
Personally, watching "My Little Pony: The Movie" makes me appreciate the most recent season of MLP even more because of how much the characters have changed. My biggest grip with the movie is that it focuses too much on certain characters, in particular Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, giving them all the good lines, jokes, and standout moments. This leaves little for the three other main characters, Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy. AJ and Fluttershy especially get the shaft in this movie, as they get almost nothing to do over the course of the film outside of be in the background.
Even when Fluttershy gets to do something in this movie, it usually resorts to her traditional cowering in the corner and being afraid of all the threats they face. The problem is that the show's version of Fluttershy has evolved beyond this point. In seasons six and seven, she has overcome her fears and anxieties to become a rather assertive yet still kind pony. The movie's version of her resorts back to the early seasons, where every episode she had to overcome a new fear that hadn't surfaced until that episode.
Also, not a single line of dialogue from one of my favorite new characters in "Friendship Is Magic," Starlight Glimmer. This shows that the movie is stuck in the early days of the show, where characterization is basic and mostly revolves around simple ideas for the characters, like Rainbow Dash always talking about being awesome or Rarity only focusing on fashion. That was a little disappointing to see.
While I would prefer to watch a good two-part of the show over this movie, like "To Where And Back Again" or "Twilight's Kingdom," the movie still isn't bad. It nails the style and sense of humor of the show and it does feel grand seeing our heroes traverse an entirely new land to discover all new races with their own backstories and mythology. I even enjoy the animation style since it makes all their movements feel more fluid and connected, and the detail on all their eyes is wonderful.
If you're a parent with a little kid who wants to see this movie, they will have a good time. If you're an adult fan of the show, try going to a late showing on a weeknight when there won't be any kids around and you will at least enjoy some parts of the movie. If you're on the fence about this movie, then this probably isn't for you.
Final Grade: C+
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