My Little Pony: Equestria Girls is a full-length animated feature film, in which Twilight Sparkle has to pass through a magic mirror into an alternate world in order to retrieve her magic crown and protect Equestria.
The film opens with the ponies going to the Princess Summit. Twilight is nervous, having not yet grown accustomed to wearing a crown, or to her new wings. As always, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy provide great comedic moments. And of course there is a message, as Twilight says, “Just because I have a crown and these wings doesn’t mean I’ll be a good leader.”
Sunset Shimmer sneaks into Twilight’s room at night and steals her crown and element of harmony, and then disappears with them through the mirror. Sunset Shimmer was a former pupil of Princess Celestia before turning cruel and going on her own path (yes, there are hints of Star Wars here). Twilight Sparkle must perform the task of regaining the crown alone, and has limited time. Of course, Spike rushes in after her.
In the alternate world, Spike is a dog, and Twilight Sparkle is a teenage girl, through still of a purplish hue. She was having trouble getting used to her wings; now she has to get used to walking on two legs. But perhaps an even bigger challenge is getting along without magic, as she has no horn.
She starts her search with what she assumes to be a castle, but which is in fact Canterlot High School. Soon she meets the alternate versions of Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Apple Jack, Rainbow Dash and Rarity. Of course, that got me wondering why there isn’t already an alternate version of Twilight at this school. That question is addressed later when Pinkie Pie asks Twilight if she has a twin sister in the city. (Though it is odd, and rather convenient, that all the others go to the same school, with the one exception of this world’s Twilight.) Other characters from Equestria have their counterparts in this world as well, including Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna.
Twilight Sparkle has to run for Princess of the Fall Formal in order to regain her crown. Her only opposition is Sunset Shimmer, who acts as the school bully.
The film has several musical numbers, the first being about learning to adapt to a new world (like any kid going to a new school). Twilight sings, “Everything’s confusing when it seems so new.” Later the girls perform a musical number in the school cafeteria as they try to unite everyone behind Twilight. And the theme of the magic of friendship is addressed. In this one, Twilight sings, “I’m gonna be myself no matter what I do/And if we’re different, then I want you to be true to you.” A good message.
Later there’s actually a musical montage of the girls getting the gym ready for the formal dance. And then there’s a musical montage of the girls getting dressed. Wow, the film uses not one but both of the major 1980s montage themes. By the way, the film’s opening credit sequence features a different version of the television program’s theme song, more of a techno dance version.
Bonus Features
This DVD has a few special features, including Through The Mirror, which is a making-of feature. It is divided into three parts. The first part, titled “The Movie,” is approximately twelve and a half minutes long, and includes interviews with Mike Vogel, Meghan McCarthy, Tara Strong, Jayson Thiessen and Stephen Davis. In this part, they talk about the story and the concept of this film, as well as some similarities to The Wizard Of Oz. Also, they talk about the new character, Sunset Shimmer. The second part, “The Look,” is about the design of the film, and is approximately six minutes. There are interviews with Ridd Sorensen (art director), Mike Vogel, Jayson Thiessen, Tara Strong, Meghan McCarthy and Kora Kosicka (a character designer). The third part, “The Music,” features an interview with song writer Daniel Ingram, who talks about giving the songs a more modern feel than those in the television series. This segment is approximately four minutes.
The bonus features also include two karaoke songs: “Cafeteria Song” and “Friends For Life.” The vocals are taken out, so you can add your own. There is also something called “Ponify Yourself,” but I actually have no idea what this one-minute snippet is supposed to be.
My Little Pony: Equestria Girls was written by Meghan McCarthy and directed by Jayson Thiessen. It stars the voices of Tara Strong, Ashleigh Ball, Andrea Libman, Tabitha St. Germain, Cathy Weseluck and Rebecca Shoichet.
My Little Pony: Equestria Girls is scheduled to be released on August 6, 2013 through Shout! Kids, a division of Shout! Factory.
0 PC Beasts Commented:
Post a Comment