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friendship games Why are these films so praised in spite of their horrifically poor writing?


Cleverclover

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Seriously, I'm legitimately curious. These films are so chock full of contrivance that they're just borderline nonsensical. Just going off of Friendship Games, I'd sincerely like to know: 

 

- Why do the people in this world feel nothing like legitimate human beings, acting entirely numb to the existence and presence of magic (with the exception of SciTwi)? 

 

- Why wasn't the existence of magic a massively reported news story? Why didn't anyone think there was anything strange about magical rainbows shooting up into the sky, or the any of the other unexplainable things that appear to happen near CHS? 

 

- Why did the Crystal Prep students want Twilight to unleash her magic, despite having just escaped danger that was only caused when her magic got loose? 

 

- Why was Midnight Sparkle evil while "Daydream Shimmer" was good, despite having received a transformation from the exact same source of magic? 

 

- Why and how was SciTwi able to create a device that can locate and extract magic, apparently without even knowing how it works? 

 

- Why was Cinch so devoid of human empathy, in spite of being an actual, full-blooded human? 

 

Honestly, I find it flat-out ridiculous how much mind-numbingly poor writing this series can get away with and still be praised to high heaven. Someone please just help me understand this. 

 

 

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I've been trying to understand it as well, but it seems more that they desperately wanted to create some kind of throwback to the first movie.

 

Honestly, that's really all I can say, except for the fact that Cinch, well, she was devoid of all compassion.

 

Now, I've met some prep school principals, and some of them ARE like that, but those ones were raised in the military. I highly doubt Cinch was. She's just a stuffy, uptight lady with no regards to personal safety. In fact, she abused her power SEVERAL times in the movie, blatant abuses of power which, according to many education laws, would have had her arrested and thrown in jail.

 

Try and explain THAT one.

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I've met the odd person who's quite like Cinch... They do exist, however in our world they are unlikely to work in schools.

 

However, it has never felt to me as if The EQ world is supposed to be our world at all, but rather one that is designed to have some similarities, but its fair share of differences too.

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Well..if I may share my opinion...

 

- If I were to see a girl turn into a demon and begin to mind control a bunch of people to enslave a village of multicolored equines, then see a bunch of teenagers mind controlled by three normal teenage girls to work their bidding be thrashed by a giant magical sky horse, and finally, see a bunch of plant monsters try to digest my classmates through magical portals all leading up to a fight between too horse girls wings and horns included....

...I would be pretty numb to the whole magic thing,too. It exists! So what, ya know? :P

Equestria girls isn't really that good with world building, which is why you don't see the whole town acting in panic of this magic High School being challenged by a mean spirited she-demon.

 

- Equestria Girls is not that good at world building; we are given just enough sets to tell a story. Lets flip this question on it's head real quick. We never see what Princess Celestia is doing while Twilight has to fight monster after monster; we are just expected to believe that she is busy, she already knows, or straight up doesn't want to come. These parts of the story are left out because they have no real hold on the story; If Equestria Girls was to be constantly be filled with news reports about magic in town, the monsters at Canterlot High School,  those scenes would be pointless. They would establish what we already know. The police can't jump in because they could be used as a deus ex machina to constantly take down the villain, leaving our heroes to learn nothing and move on. That is why Princess Celestia doesn't come help Twilight every time she needs her, because Celestia could be used as a deus ex machina. Heck, this is an alternate dimension with multicolored human people. Maybe they don't have police? Maybe...the news doesn't exist! It is like my favorite scientist Rick Sanchez once said,

 

"What about the reality where Hitler cured cancer?! Just don't think about it, Morty."

 

- The Crystal Prep students could have been as confused and worried with magic just like Twilight was. Not every background character is going to be given a depth to it. The Crystal Prep students thought Twilight and the gang were cheating, and they were almost eaten by giant plants. If you noticed in the scene with the giant plants, Canterlot's team was also being attacked. Maybe Crystal prep saw that, and thought magic could slow them down like it almost did at the motocross. Or, maybe, like I said in point one, everyone has gotten use to the magic after all the instances of it, and feel like they know how to use it. Do they? Obviously not, because Twilight ends up turning into Midnight Sparkle, because magic is spontaneous and all that. Magic can also be used as a deus ex machina, and can come in a hopeless situation to save our hero characters from a situation they are enduring. Which leads me to your next question, with why did Sunset become good and Twilight evil when they were both blasted with the same source of magic. Back when Sunset was still a mean girl, and all of that, she was confused and misguided; she wanted a lot of power to herself. So when Sunset put on the crown in the first movie, she was still confused and misguided. She had so much power, she did not know what to do with it,but knew she wanted to have a lot of power. The crown felt Sunset's intentions, knew they were impure, and changed her into something with an impure heart. That is why when the magic hit Sci Twi she changed into Midnight-Sparkle, the crown knew Sci Twi's intentions were confused, misguided, and coming from the wrong place; to cheat in the friendship games.

When the magic felt Sunset approach Midnight Sparkle, there was still enough from the blast to detect Sunset's good intentions and pure heart, changing her into the good Sunset we all knew she could be.

 

- I asked myself that same question! How can Twilight Detect magic, without knowing what it is? Can't that kind of logic be applied to a lot of things we don't understand in science, though? We study it, gather what we can from it without knowing much about it, and gather conclusions from that. Think of the first time cars were invented. Lots of people were creating them, it was a blast! We built up a conclusion that cars needed to be built to get us places faster. Everyone began trying it' some cars were failures and others went off pretty well. Out of some of those inventing cars, you must believe that some of those people were hurt or injured testing out their new driving mobile, right? So, Sci Twi builds her invention with the intent on finding out what magic is and screws up, because she doesn't fully understand it; much like a scientist would when constructing an experiment, and when it fails, they start all over changing one thing in their scientific method, and start testing again.  Twilight doesn't understand magic, but following science logic, almost anything can be successful with enough time and effort, just like the cars. I'm sure people back then thought cars were dumb...and now we drive them around all day. That could be a reason why so many people think Sci-Twi is a freak; she stays locked up in a room studying some crazy energy no one believes exists, so she must be a nut! I think Sci-Twi was using real world logic to try to  understand a magical element that no one can get because it is basically omnipotent and omniscient; she thought she had the right build to study magic with her real world logic, but her logic is flawed because she is using real world logic to go against something that has absolutely no real world logic in it, a powerful force capable of literally anything.

 

- Principal Cinch was a bad villain with poor execution, I will admit that. Another reason all the Crystal Prep students could be such drones is because Cinch has black mailed the rest of them, or hurt them like she does to Twilight in the film, and now they are all forced to act one way or be failed by a jerkish principal. Or she could just be a poorly written character, haha.

 

I really love Equestria Girls, but I can understand why you don't There is so much ambiguity, character development and world building to be done that it is crazy. I think fans love it because they like the ambiguity; it leaves the doors open for theories and interesting thoughts. Other fans probably enjoy the...pony residue as I like to call it; the pony things and people plucked throughout the series. Maybe they like the lovable and likable characters in the films. Who knows? :)

Thanks for reading this. Have a great day! c:

 

 

-

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Friendship is Magic isn't well written either.

 

I'd say more about what I think but I might get a warning by a staff member. Meanwhile, someone has just walked into the Equestria Girls forums to tell it's fans that it sucks. Anyway...

 

 

 

Seriously, I'm legitimately curious. These films are so chock full of contrivance that they're just borderline nonsensical. Just going off of Friendship Games, I'd sincerely like to know:

Just like Friendship is Magic.

 

 

 

- Why do the people in this world feel nothing like legitimate human beings, acting entirely numb to the existence and presence of magic (with the exception of SciTwi)?

Because magic doesn't exist to them?

 

 

 

- Why did the Crystal Prep students want Twilight to unleash her magic, despite having just escaped danger that was only caused when her magic got loose?

They wanted the same power Canterlot High had.

 

 

 

- Why was Midnight Sparkle evil while "Daydream Shimmer" was good, despite having received a transformation from the exact same source of magic?

Because the magic she had stolen had become corrupted. She's anxious, fearful, lonely and despondent. Her only friends are Spike and Cadance and everyone else she has met does nothing but bully her and make her feel terrible.

 

 

 

- Why and how was SciTwi able to create a device that can locate and extract magic, apparently without even knowing how it works?

Science. She detected a strange energy source with mundane means and began to refine the process and technology to be more accurate. There were obviously differences between the energy she was detecting and any known energy type, and created a device to track and store this new kind of energy based on the differences she's detected. Just because you can see the Sun and the Stars in the sky doesn't mean you know everything about them. Do you complain how the magic works in FiM? You're all ready watching a cartoon about magical talking ponies.

 

 

 

- Why was Cinch so devoid of human empathy, in spite of being an actual, full-blooded human?

She's evil. Humans can be pretty crappy. FiM has evil characters as well. Some of them are Ponies.

 

 

 

Honestly, I find it flat-out ridiculous how much mind-numbingly poor writing this series can get away with and still be praised to high heaven. Someone please just help me understand this.

Why did you think it was acceptable to come into the Equestria Girls board to make this post? What boggles MY mind is how you can enjoy anything by analysing it this much and expecting it to be life-like realistic. As all ready stated, you watch a show about talking magic ponies. The real reason you came here is to start trouble.

Edited by Evil_Emperor
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I categorize these movies in the "so bad it's good" category.

Like, Principal Cinch is sooo obssessed with high school sports, it's hilarious.

No real human being acts like that

 

I could go on and on, but it would literally be an essay.

 

If you really want to understand a bit more, check out the video I posted on this site yesterday

https://mlpforums.com/topic/139194-friendship-games-review/#entry4127038

 

It should give you an idea why I couldn't possibly write out what exactly it is about the movies that I like because it is a complex situation. The films are ridiculous and they are poorly written.

 

They just have a charm that, despite terrible writing and scenarios, are just plain fun.

Edited by pollo20x6
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Because people have different tastes and perspectives concerning the details of these films, but it is really not much any different from the main series as far as quality is concerned as both are contrived in their own ways.  Some of these points you mention are not necessarily shared concerns by the people who enjoy these films so you may need to learn how to deal with it at this point while considering not watching the potential next installment either.

 

Most of those questions and complaints are actually implied by some details within the film, and some were  already addressed by the first two films as well, so there is not much of need to bog things with redundant exposition. Some of those are just pointless nitpicks with no particular relevance to the content or context of film while possibly missing the point.

 

However to answer the question is that solid characterization is probably why these films get praised for their writing as Sunset Shimmer, and Twilight Sparkle have been particularly well handled in these last couple of films, and Twilight was reasonably handled in the first one. Spike has also been one of the the higher points of these films as well.

 

To long did not read version, the reasons the films are praised this much by some are pretty much the same reasons why the main show is praised by others.

Edited by UnknownFry
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Like, Principal Cinch is sooo obssessed with high school sports, it's hilarious.

No, she's obsessed with her reputation and influence. She runs one of, if not the most prestigious school in the region, and possibly one of the most prestigious in the country. It's actually quite easy to see why she'd take it so seriously. You are talking smack about something you don't even understand.

 

 

 

No real human being acts like that

Yeah there are humans who act like that, actually. There are thousands of Humans who act even worse than her. Real world history is strewn with atrocities and pettiness you would not believe. The people in this thread are being pretty petty and spiteful as it is. I will also point out she is NOT a real Human. You are watching a cartoon about talking magical ponies and a spinoff about multicoloured Humans in a world with magic. This kind of argument is bothering me to no end, it's nearly insane that people would make this argument.

Edited by Evil_Emperor
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I feel like you're looking way too much at one glaring flaw. I won't deny that the EG films are overrated and are very flawed. However though watching a different version of Twilight try to survive in a college setting is really interesting to watch. Plus the actual games were entertaining enough. And Sunset is (usually) a very likable character. 

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I've had teachers like Principal Cinch and even co-workers that are so focused on one thing its kinda scary and as for highschool sports,  yes even that but you find maybe something of that level in smaller towns or schools in being sports is a big thing (my highschool).  As for Human Sparkle,  it was good to see a throw back of her from seasons 1 and 2 a bit and Shimmer still showed some good flaws.   One thing that gets me is I like EQ Rainbow Dash in finding her more like-able than her pony co-part in being more mature in how she handles things.

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Because some people have the ability to watch a movie without over analysing it.

 

I do not have to over-analyze anything to see that this movie's writing is complete and utter shit. And frankly, the poor writing of these films actually prevents me from enjoying them. 

 

 

 

Friendship is Magic isn't well written either.

 

Is that supposed to excuse these films? Because it doesn't. Especially since I happen to think that, for the most part, FiM is written quite well. 

 

 

 

Because magic doesn't exist to them?

 

.....

 

Except, it does? Because, you know, they acknowledge that it does? And yet it apparently means absolutely nothing to them, which ultimately just makes them difficult to relate to since they don't feel like actual human beings.

 

 

 

Because the magic she had stolen had become corrupted. She's anxious, fearful, lonely and despondent.

 

Yet she herself was not evil or corrupted, and I don't see how the magic was either.  

 

 

 

They wanted the same power Canterlot High had.

 

So much so that they were willing to potentially put themselves in danger again?  

 

 

 

Why did you think it was acceptable to come into the Equestria Girls board to make this post? What boggles MY mind is how you can enjoy anything by analysing it this much and expecting it to be life-like realistic. As all ready stated, you watch a show about talking magic ponies. The real reason you came here is to start trouble.

 

 

Again, I'm not over-analyzing anything! 

 

It takes absolutely no analyzing of any sort for me to notice that the writing of this film just plain sucks. And yet, it's still praised anyway. I've made this topic because I legitimately want to understand why.

 

 

Because the target audience aren't the kind of people to thoroughly analyze and critique it's every flaw.

 

Again, is this somehow meant to excuse the mediocrity of its writing? 

 

So, do I actually have to switch my brain off to watch these films, or what? Or rather, am I wrong for actually expecting these to be well-constructed and sensical? Because that's honestly the message I'm getting here with some of these replies.  

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Does it actually matter to you?

 

I mean, i also don't like these movies much and all that, but i don't see why you are so enraged about it that others like them.

 

Let them have their fun. :)

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Maybe it's similar to Call of Duty, people don't care how awfully bad something is so long as it has a few of the things they want. I can't watch it myself because of how ridiculously bad the characters look, but I enjoy the songs.

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I do not have to over-analyze anything to see that this movie's writing is complete and utter shit.
Then why do you do it then?

 

 

 

So, do I actually have to switch my brain off to watch these films, or what?
No, but it wouldn't hurt if you stopped over analyzing every single flaw.
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How ironic the CHS members were so humdrum about the existence of magic while Twilight was more surprised who was the one that had researched it for a while. Also we get completely sidetracked on Twilight research. There isn't much detail about it. Why couldn't Twilight say something to wrap it up like well I don't need to cross the dimensions to learn about magic because magic is already here called friendship and I must know more about it and sort of give a nod to people IRL that wants to go to Equestria because earth sucks.

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Because some people may actually like the writing and not find it bad?

 

Maybe what you find bad, most people are either not bothered by those issues or they flat out disagree with them

 

 

 

- Why do the people in this world feel nothing like legitimate human beings, acting entirely numb to the existence and presence of magic (with the exception of SciTwi)? 

 

- Because it's an unimportant detail that I doubt most people watching would care about? 

 

 

 

- Why wasn't the existence of magic a massively reported news story? Why didn't anyone think there was anything strange about magical rainbows shooting up into the sky, or the any of the other unexplainable things that appear to happen near CHS? 

 

- Again, this is such a minor, unimportant detail that I doubt most people watching it would care about. Most of us just want to see their favorite characters in a new world spreading the magic of friendship and saving the world in a Magical Girl fashion.

 

And this isn't just exclusive to the EQG series. In Megas XLR, why is everyone in Jersey generally unphased by the fact that there's a giant robot fighting armies of aliens and monsters in their city? Why has no one called the military or the police? Who fucking cares? We just want to see a yahoo powerbomb Kaijus with a giant robot.

 

 

 

- Why did the Crystal Prep students want Twilight to unleash her magic, despite having just escaped danger that was only caused when her magic got loose?

 

- It's pretty obvious that this was all because of their principle, who was so obsessed with their school's reputation that she didn't even once think of the consequences of what would happen if she made Twilight let the magic run wild, and her influenced affected a lot of the students. The students changed their tune as soon as they saw what happened. Was it an awkward transition? Yes, I won't deny it, but you can only do so much with just 77 minutes.

 

 

 

- Why was Midnight Sparkle evil while "Daydream Shimmer" was good, despite having received a transformation from the exact same source of magic? 

- Because of the differences in their hearts? It's cheesy, but it's such an obvious answer, especially when it comes to FiM/EQG

 

 

 

- Why and how was SciTwi able to create a device that can locate and extract magic, apparently without even knowing how it works? 

- Because it worked a lot different than how she expected? It's not uncommon for that to happen in real life.

 

 

 

- Why was Cinch so devoid of human empathy, in spite of being an actual, full-blooded human? 

- You mean like plenty of humans in real life?

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

I find it amazing how a lot of people still get worked up over the fact that some people dare to like EQG. They aren't perfect, nothing is except Megas XLR and Gurren Lagann , but if people like them, then what's the harm?

Edited by LAZENGANN OVERLOAD
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I mean, i also don't like these movies much and all that, but i don't see why you are so enraged about it that others like them.

 

I'm not enraged, really, just curious. 

 

Though honestly, Sugar Coat has done the best job of defending these films thus far.

 

 

 

No, but it wouldn't hurt if you stopped over analyzing every single flaw.

 

It also wouldn't hurt if these films were written in such a way that actually made sense.  

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I'm not enraged, really, just curious. 

 

It does seem like it, that you are very emotional about all of this, or else you wouldn't call the fans out.

 

I just take it for it is. I don't necessarily need to understand everything in this world, especially the likes and dislikes of certain people. If i had this mindset, i would still be upset about the success of Transformers.

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Surprised this thread is still here. The entire thread, and every post Clever Clover has made within it, including the Original Post, are nothing but deliberately antagonistic. It serves no purpose than to make the Equestria Girls sub-forum more unpleasant. Even when people try to refute the OP's non-existant arguments, they're met with an obstinant "nuh-uh, it's s**t!" with no substance. The thread is just here to antagonize us for liking something they don't like.

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It also wouldn't hurt if these films were written in such a way that actually made sense.  
Does a movie/tv show really has to make sense? Just look at MLP, it doesn't make that much sense and yet a lot of people thinks that it's the best thing ever.
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