Just got back from seeing the new movie with my best friend a little bit ago. We both really enjoyed it. There were only a few other people in the theater; it's likely a school night for kids so keeping them up late by taking them to the movies isn't something most parents are probably willing to do.

I’m not familiar with earlier generations of the MLP franchise so I’m not sure if nostalgia would be a factor for old fans. If you are at all a fan of Friendship is Magic, then this movie is for you. There are a ton of little references to past episodes of the show to satisfy the dedicated fan: Fluttershy says many yays. Discord makes a tiny cameo early on (as well as during the end credits). Twilight’s Canterlot friends from Amending Fences briefly show up in one scene. We learn that Ursa Minor is the creature who originally robbed Tempest of her horn and left a scar on her face. And Fluttershy counsels one of the Storm King’s minions at the end (leaving them in tears), very reminiscent of some adorable moments in Season 1. Who knows, though? Perhaps a few people who aren’t familiar with MLP at all will go to see this movie. It doesn’t require you to be caught up with the show. But it rewards you if you are.

I wish we could’ve seen more banter between some characters. The chemistry between Rarity and Capper seemed to be hinted at from some of the concept art I’ve seen, but they didn’t really interact much. I assumed most of the new characters would be clear counterparts of Spike and the Mane 6, but that wasn’t really the case apart from Twilight+Tempest and Rainbow Dash+Celaeno. Oh well. *shrug*

I know, some people are undoubtedly going to call this fan service, but the Derpy scenes (first with the Wonderbolts, then getting in the way of Tempest’s magic) are adorable and I love the little cameo by Starlight and Trixie early on.

I like the animation style a lot. Some scenes do look awkward with CGI thrown in for certain objects like the airships (or as Grubber says, boats in the air... air boats...). But the scenery is gorgeous and while character designs took getting used to, I was pretty much used to it by the end. Perhaps this style, just scaled down a bit in visual quality in order to cut production costs, would fit future seasons of FiM. I’m down for that.

Let’s talk about the new characters…

- The Storm King is an average villain and probably one of my least favorite pony villains. Not all that interesting, and he shows no development whatsoever. He doesn’t even get to escape so that one day he can return and once again raise hell in Equestria, nor is he reformed. Instead, his death is implied when his crystallized self falls and shatters. Kind of a boring outcome. Still, Liev Schreiber’s voice acting is good. He did a solid job.

- Grubber is kind of a throwaway side character. I’m sorry if you’re a fan, but when he’s not randomly munching on sweets I think he’s often annoying and really doesn't need to be talking because I hardly found his little remarks funny. Maybe kids will like him, though. For some reason his design (which I do like) kinda looks like a gray Stitch with hair.

- Captain Celaeno is a great counterpart for Rainbow Dash. They end up having great chemistry. Celaeno is a loyal captain to her crew who loves adventure. Her crew looks up to her and I like her design.

- Queen Novo is pretty neat. She’s a stern, just ruler of her underwater nation who greatly values her family of hippogriffs/seaponies. Not too much to say about her, she doesn’t get all that much screen time.

- Princess Skystar is very much a Dory sort of character. I wonder if that similarity was intentional. :ooh:Very excitable and almost like Pinkie Pie at some moments. Very cute seapony who clearly desires the magic of friendship but sadly has been locked away in the underwater depths without many true friends other than seashells. Fits the story well.

- Capper is one of my favorite new characters. He’s a sly con artist who actually has a big heart, which becomes apparent when he realizes what will happen if he doesn’t help the ponies he betrayed. Taye Diggs has the perfect voice for Capper. Oh, and Capper has an awesome design...

- Songbird Serenade doesn’t show up much but she looks adorable and fits in pretty well. Her song Rainbow is cute. I’ll elaborate more on it later. Of the three pony pop stars we have seen (Songbird, Coluratura/Rara, and Sapphire Shores) she’s the least well developed but I don’t really think she’s a weak character.

- And finally, Tempest Shadow, the new character who most deserves to return in the regular series. Open Up Your Eyes is my favorite song in the whole movie. Tempest’s angsty backstory doesn’t come off as trite; it works for her character's role. And I guess I tend to enjoy fictional characters like that who have some depth. I only wish the Storm King was also like that.

Now on to the songs…

- We Got This is a nice opening song. It reminds me a lot of Morning In Ponyville. The song and the visuals do a satisfactory job of setting the stage.

- I’m the Friend You Need is one of only two songs sung entirely by a single character. Taye Diggs/Capper has such a cool singing voice. Diggs is among my favorite musical actors, with lots of Broadway experience.

-Time to Be Awesome is very fun. I listened to a clip (was it recorded at Bronycon? or Comic-con? I can’t remember) a few months ago and figured it would be extremely catchy. In that regard, it sure did deliver! Also, grumpy Twilight at the beginning is great.

-One Small Thing is cute. What can I say? It helps give Princess Skystar some depth. Her heart truly hungers for friendship. Also, some of the most adorable visuals in the whole movie with the seaponies. Especially the little white seapony. He’s adorable.

- Open Up Your Eyes, Tempest’s song addressed to Twilight, is fairly sad but powerful. I’m not sure any other song in the movie gives me such Disney vibes. And Emily Blunt sure can SING! I love the animation during the flashbacks.

- And then comes Rainbow. Very catchy pop song by Sia. It’s not as gorgeous as Titanium but it’s fun enough to provide a satisfactory dance party ending scene with none other than—surprise, surprise—DJ Pon-3 playing the music. Kind of a cliché ending, but it’s fun and leads in to cute end credits.

Overall… I’d give this movie a 7.5/10. Now that’s when judged in comparison to similar movies I’ve seen, not in comparison to Equestria Girls and episodes of FiM. By pony standards, I would go as far as bumping that rating up to an 8.5/10. It’s memorable enough that I will probably see it in theaters again. It isn't really structured like an episode, so it avoids feeling like an extended episode. The plot is cute, the animation is mostly appealing to the eye, the new characters are mostly fun, and overall it’s a real treat. Well done, Hasbro.

Oh, and I almost forgot…