Some animated flicks are made for all ages, while others are just for the kids. My Little Pony: The Movie is a cute flick strictly for those kids who are accustomed to the cartoon series because if you don’t know the characters, you will not be able to enjoy the film. It may not have the ingredients to come out as a feature film, but it looks like the extended version of those special episodes of the hit TV show that keeps its fans excited after seven seasons.

The plot revolves around Equestrian ponies who are on the verge of celebrating the first Friendship Festival, when suddenly, the storm creatures attack them. Led by Tempest Shadow, a broken horned unicorn, they seize all but one princess — Princess Twilight Sparkle, who escapes with her friends. Twilight and his team take it upon themselves to win back Equestria before the Storm King gets the power to control everything. Do the Equestrians win against their monstrous enemies or does the Storm King manage to change day into night on his mood, My Little Pony: The Movie has all the answers.

Launched in the 80s and made famous through animated series, My Little Pony is to kids what Transformers is to the older ones. A movie was always a possibility and director Jayson Thiessen must be commended for making a 2D animated film so much fun. There are songs, there are action sequences and a moral about Friendship that every kid who adores ponies, loves. The most important aspect of the flick, however, is the characters — Princess Twilight Sparkle (Tara Strong) is responsible for maintaining harmony across the kingdom followed by Rainbow Dash and Applejack (Ashleigh Ball), the former is adventurous while the latter is an honest pony who grew up on a farm. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy (Andrea Libman) are poles apart as one is party-obsessed while the other cares for animals. Finally, there is Rarity (Tabitha St Germain) who is a fashion designer unicorn and Spike the Dragon (Cathy Weseluck), who realises his ‘firepower’ at the climax.

Then there is the feline con man Capper (Taye Diggs) who is the bad-guy-turned-good-guy here, the Storm King (Live Schreiber) has mood swings, the feathered pirate Capt. Celaeno (Zoe Saldana) loves being free, while pop goddess Songbird Serenade (Sia) is the pony version of the eight-time Grammy nominee.

One of the monsters says during the film, “I want all seven for my collection” and that was the central idea behind the film. The parents who know how their kids feel about the characters will happily take them to the cinemas and/or get them ‘All 7 ponies for their collection’, whereas those with no clue will wonder what hit them, and why are their kids clapping and shouting. For and for friendship!

Published in Dawn, Young World, October 21st, 2017