Children will delight in getting a movie-length version of the modernised My Little Pony franchise, thanks to the 1980s collectable toys getting a big 21st century makeover in recent years.
As a child of the 80s, the new-age fourth generation My Little Pony collection is a far cry from the horsier version I grew up with, but the newly designed characters appear to be a hit with the younger generation, as too did this year’s new film.
Granted, the audience was filled with girls aged four to 12, and most were captivated by the vibrant colours, catchy songs, and exuberant pony personalities, and the plot had only a small handful of watchers lose their attention span (but when you’re four-years-old, it’s to be expected).
A new dark force threatens Ponyville, and the Mane 6 – Princess Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rarity – embark on a journey beyond Equestria on a quest to use the magic of friendship and save their home from the evil Storm King and his minion unicorn Tempest Shadow.
The movie opens with Princess Twilight Sparkle (Tara Strong) stressing and panicking about the Friendship Festival she is throwing everyone in Ponyville, and has called upon three other royals to make sure the sun would be shining at the event.
But just as all the ponies are ready to celebrate, a storm appears and Tempest Shadow (Emily Blunt), a bitter alicorn serving the Storm King (Liev Schreiber), takes over Ponyville and captures the three queens.
Princess Twilight Sparkle, with the help of her friends, journey towards the kingdom of Hippgriffia and their queen, who remain their only hope in defeating the Storm King’s attack.
The movie introduces a flurry of new characters, including Princess Skystar (Kristin Chenoweth), a merpony living in Seaquestria, and Songbird Serenade (Sia), the biggest pony performer in all of Equestria.
My four-year-old daughter highly enjoyed the tunes and danced in the cinema with the ponies on screen but I found the squeakiness of Pinkie Pie’s voice (Andrea Libman) and her buoyant behaviour somewhat of an irritant.
It’s a classic storyline – the ‘world’ in trouble, friends go on a journey, songs are sung, the hero comes home and saves the day.
For the younger generation, My Little Pony: The Movie is a bubbly hit.
Rating: 3 out of 5
By Kate Dzienis
Madman Entertainment and Examiner Newspapers have five double passes to give away.
To be in the running send an email to competition@examinernewspapers.com.au with the subject headline MY LITTLE PONY and tell us who your or your child’s favourite Pony is and why.
You must include your name and suburb.
Winners must pick up their passes at the Examiner office in Kelmscott during office hours.
