I took my little Craggling (and her friend) to see My Little Pony: The Movie.

My Little Pony trots back to the big screen with a cinematic outing based on the wildly successful (and surprisingly cross-generational) ‘Friendship Is Magic’ incarnation of the toy franchise.

As she is busy preparing for the Friendship festival, Princess Twilight Sparkle’s efforts are interrupted by the arrival of Tempest Shadow (Emily Blunt), a broken-horned unicorn and the herald of the Storm King (Live Schreiber). As the other princesses are captured, Twilight Sparkle manages to flee along with the rest of ‘the Mane six’: Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity and Spike the Dragon and heads south, following Princess Celestia’s last, incomplete instruction to seek help from ‘the queen of the hippo’.

If the basic plot beats of this movie seem a little familiar, it’s probably because it’s essentially the same story as told in the 1986 movie only this time, the production values are top notch. Much of the improvement comes from the basic strengths of the “My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic” TV show. The characters are distinctive, visually appealing and well rounded, with voice performances so good it’s a surprise to learn many of the voice artists double up and play more than one pony. The deceptively simple 2D animation design belies a richness of detail and imagination that brings Equestria to vivid, colourful life.

The antics of the ponies are archly cutesy and there’s more than a knowing nod to the fact that a significant proportion of the franchise’s audience is not made up of pre-teen girls but you don’t need to be a Brony to appreciate the occasional sly humour and references thrown in. While the film provides excitement and mild peril, it’s essentially a gentle and undemanding celebration of the power of friendship and the importance of kindness which, let’s be honest, aren’t terrible ideas to commend to the audience.

The songs aren’t showstopping greats but they’re pleasant enough and a vast improvement on the cacophonous calamities of the 1986 movie. With half-term upon us, “My Little Pony: The Movie” is, at the very least, not a film you’ll have to suffer through. It didn’t turn me into a Brony, but I can totally see why people could get into it. As far as my little moviegoers were concerned, though, it was magic!

my little pony review
Score 6/10


Hi there! If you enjoyed this post, why not sign up to get new posts sent straight to your inbox?

Sign up to receive a weekly digest of The Craggus' latest posts.

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

logo

Related posts

Doctor Who: Paradise Towers

Doctor Who: Paradise Towers

Paradise Towers sees the new era of Doctor Who misfiring on all cylinders Having opened the new era and series of DOCTOR WHO with the reassuringly familiar presence of a quarry, PARADISE TOWERS provides a similar comfort factor of that time-honoured Whovian trope of endless...

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) Light Side Review

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) Light Side Review

Star Wars: The Last JediLight Side Review It was a curious feeling, as I sat in my seat willing the adverts and trailers to hurry up and finish, to realise that – despite the huge presence “Star Wars” has had in my life – this would only be the eighth time in my entire life that I...

The Last Stand (2013) Review

The Last Stand (2013) Review

He's back! There’s something reassuringly retro about Arnie’s comeback film, his first starring role since 2003’s forgettable “Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines”. “The Last Stand” goes right back to basics, with Arnie playing a small town sheriff whose sleepy little community just...

Shark Season (2020) Review

Shark Season (2020) Review

Shark Season's undoubted lowlight is Michael Madsen's literally phoned-in performance SHARK SEASON (aka Shark Attack) bring Shark Weak 4 another cheap shark movie and another cheap, literally phoned-in, Michael Madsen performance. When his daughter Sarah (Paige McGarvin) takes a...

The Movie Bunker Podcast: Superman III

The Movie Bunker Podcast: Superman III

The Movie Bunker Podcast: Superman III This week, I was a guest on The Movie Bunker Podcast's Episode 42 - talking about how life, the universe and everything is better for having "Superman III" in it. The Movie Bunker Podcast is a podcast dedicated to reviewing the most...

Wonder Woman (2017) Review

Wonder Woman (2017) Review

Moulded from the ugly clay of the films before it, Wonder Woman brings a glimmer of hope to the DCEU It’s hard to remember a movie making its debut under such pressure as “Wonder Woman”. Not just the pressure of expectations for a new superhero movie debut but also the white hot...

Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus (2009) Review

Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus (2009) Review

Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus: Dawn of please-just-make-it-stop Finally, on screen together for the first time, two iconic titans duke it out for ocean supremacy and there’s not a Martha in sight to bring the Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus throw down to a halt. When the deployment of...

Fifty Shades Of Grey (2015) Review

Fifty Shades Of Grey (2015) Review

Sticks and stones may break my bones, these whips and chains just bore me From the very first frame, “Fifty Shades Of Grey” positively drips with tension. Unfortunately, it’s not the sexual kind. There’s a palpable sense of nervous awkwardness in the opening scenes that has little...