Review of My Little Pony: The Movie (2017) by Rockodafoxxo — 31 Oct 2017

I'm not a Brony (nor have I seen the TV show), so I saw this online because I'd feel a little embarrassed to tell anyone that I, an adult that's not a pony-fan, paid to see My Little Pony. I still saw it anyway with an open mind (loony curiosities, I guess) and it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be.

The animation, though simple, is very colorful and full of character. It's a real treat to the eyes (not counting the weird CGI). The songs are adequate, some characters are likeable, the pacing is quick, and its message is sweet and not obnoxiously preachy. As a whole, My Little Pony: The Movie is an decent enough afternoon watch for the whole family... but it's still quite lackluster.

The story feels like an extended episode of the TV show with super-predictable elements thrown in. The attempts at humor are kinda weak, half of the songs feel like filler, the villains are one-note and it occasionally dips down in the cutesy-claptrap territory you'd expect in a pony movie. MLP the Movie doesn't really feel cynical or half-baked, but it won't grab a casual viewer's attention either due to how safe it plays. It's a kids movie, sure, but I still don't see how these ponies lured so many people into the Brony fanbase. It's mildly-entertaining, sweet, adventurous, and sometimes charming... but it's also forgettable and uninspired.