My Little Pony: The Movie Parent Guide

If the title of My Little Pony: The Movie feels like déjà vu, you’re not wrong. The My Little Pony franchise has been paying toy company Hasbro’s bills since 1982, and has spawned numerous animated films and television series. The latest incarnation, a TV series that made its debut in 2010, is titled My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, and has garnered a surprisingly loyal fan following among both children and adults.

Don’t worry if you haven’t been subjected to all seven seasons of this cartoon colossus. You won’t have any problems piecing together the movie’s paper thin plot.

Our hero is Princess Twilight Sparkle, (voiced by Tara Strong.) Tasked with planning the kingdom’s all important Festival of Friendship, Princess Twilight is understandably stressed out. In this land of energetic ponies, there’s apparently nothing to pass the time besides impromptu musical numbers and snacking on a wide selection of baked goods. No wonder her peers are brimming with excitement; it’s about time someone broke up the monotony.

With her reputation riding on this, Twilight comes close to panic over the event. Fortunately, her loyal friends Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, (both voiced by Andrea Libman,) Apple Jack and Rainbow Dash, (both voiced by Ashleigh Ball,) Rarity, (voiced by Tabitha St. Germain,) and Spike, (voiced by Cathy Weseluck,) have her back. But as preparations for the big day continue, the happy herd is delivered a rude awakening. Storm clouds darken the sky, an airship descends out of nowhere and an army is deposited in their peaceful city. The leader of the invaders, a disillusioned pony named Tempest Shadow, (voiced by Emily Blunt,) soon makes her hostile intentions clear. Seems now our leading ladies have better things to worry about than botching a highly-anticipated shindig.

From thence, the tireless team embark on a quest to find help in throwing off their oppressors. While the team may be tireless, the audience isn’t. As our protagonists journey across deserts, oceans and mountains, acquiring new friends through the charm of lengthy song and dance numbers, the tedium is only punctuated by the occasional pun.

More concerning for families are the frightening bad guys and their minions who lock helpless citizens in cages and force them to pull heavy loads like… well, ponies. All the while, the main characters face perils of their own. They must contend with extreme environments, menacing thugs, and the constant fear of capture. But tough situations throughout the film are leavened with the standard cartoon fare of slapstick comedy and complete buffoonery, and will only be troubling to the very youngest of viewers.

For all its faults, the movie is also full to bursting with moments of trust and friendship. The pals look out for each other, are willing to forgive, and are always happy to invite someone new into their circle—not half bad messages for kids to hear.