My Little Pony: Equestria Girls - Friendship Games

In the third installment in the Equestria Girls franchise, viewers are taken on a magical journey once more to Canterlot High School, in more ways than one. DHX Media and Hasbro Studios prove once again that they have the capability to create quality entertainment for the whole family. Though very fun and imaginative, fans of the My Little Pony can grow to appreciate the depth and deep morals expressed in a show that looks as if it was made with all the colors of a crayola pastel box. The best part in my opinion would have to be the phenomenal music originally composed by Emmy winner Daniel Ingram, who shows us all that music is just as magical as the movie itself. If you are fan of anything animated and or gripping, this movie is the one for you.

After two series consisting of seven seasons, almost 200 episodes and two movies, people might think the series is getting old. But, I think it is not even half way over. The third installment in My Little Pony: Equestrian Girls does not disappoint My Little Pony fans of all ages.

This movie is an adventure about the main characters. However, with most My Little Pony titles, friendship is a magic related thing. There is also a good amount of silly humor that viewers can enjoy and a small dose of drama which makes it more entertaining.

The story follows Twilight Sparkle, the only pony who seems to be able to go between the human and pony world. She hasn't been in contact with any of her human friends and one day she arrives there. However, it isn't the Twilight they know. Additionally, the six friends are starting to get better control of their hidden magic powers which they need to learn to control for the friendship games (an athletic and academic competition between rivalry schools). If you would like to find out what happens, you have to watch the movie or read the book.

This film continues developing the positive reputation for the My Little Pony Friendship is Magic movies. The story is exciting, with many twists, and you still learn an important message. For this film, there are many. One of them is that, when help comes, accept it. The animation looks very tidy and, even though this is 2D animated, they are very creative with adding some 3D camera shots. The voice talent for Ashleigh Ball, Apple Jack and Rainbow Dash are spot on. Tara Strong who plays Twilight Sparkle makes us love the character, hate her and pity her all at the same time. The rest of the cast are also great at projecting the emotion of their characters. For example, in one scene with Applejack, she is helping her competition with archery and you don't hear pity in her voice, you hear a kind, friendly tone, which Ashleigh Ball is so known for.

My favorite scene is when two of the main characters are fighting the enemy high school on a dirt bike course. It includes my favorite character, Rainbow Dash and another main character, Fluttershy. The race goes well at first. However when the other Twilight Sparkle accidentally releases some strange magic, the race goes haywire. There is something you should be aware of. You don't need to follow the TV show that the film is based on in order to understand the storyline of the film. However, it is probably best if you watch the first movie, My Little Pony: Equestrian Girls, in order to understand this story.

Age rating is surprising for My Little Pony. A lot of people think this show is meant for 2 to 6-year-olds. But really, it is suitable for older kids and event adults. Many of this show's fans (including me) are 12 years old and older so, I recommend this for ages 2 to 18 and adults as well. Small children will enjoy the fun, bright, colors and the funny characters. But, older kids and adults enjoy the show as a fans. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars because it entertains people while teaching important messages.

Reviewed by Gerry O, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

This review contains some spoilers

I think this movie was creepy in a terrifying manner. It is a MLP version of Milgram experiment on Twilight, a perfectly good and well intended person cracking under peer pressure and doing things against her personal moral code.

Also the outburst of Sunset Shimmer toward Twilight was something. Typical frustration nonthinking outburst (we all do from time to time) doing irreparable damage to a weaken confused and depressed mind.

This movie is very dark in all significant places regardless of its shiny and colorful presentation.

This movie for me have left other 2 in the dust. Well done HASBRO.

The stinger for the last movie set up this sequel as it showed what was going on with the Twilight from their own dimension. What's interesting about this film is that we're introduced to this new Twilight and it does feel like we're meeting the same character, but in a different way. It didn't go in anyway how I thought it would be. I assumed it would just be the same as them meeting the Twilight from the Equestria dimension. Only very briefly do we see any ponies in this movie at all. The animation is as wonderful as ever.

Yes, I do believe this to be better than "My Little Pony: The Movie". The best part is easily the climax and how strong the emotions are. It's weird to describe the villain in this movie because there really quite isn't one. It's mostly just misunderstood people and that really makes for a better plot. It can get boring, but it's still a rewarding movie. I'm proud to have ended TV Month and now I can do my next theme month...Channel Awesome Month to celebrate the website's tenth anniversary! ***

My initial review of this film might've been a little harsh.. I think I was just a little off put by the short length of it. But... after rewatching it, my opinion has changed. This is probably the best movie of the Equestria Girls series, if only because it establishes its own identity and doesn't rely heavily on the the "Friendship is Magic" show. I like FiM a lot more, but this EqG series does have heart and its own soul. Which, to add on to that, I love how while these human characters are still the counterparts of ponies in Equestria, they still have their own individual personalities.. they're similar but definitely not the same.. their own souls and spirits, etc.

The music is good, which is the norm for a DHX/Vancouver / Hasbro production. The animation is on par with Rainbow Rocks. The acting is on par with the show and the direction from Rudell is great... he does a fantastic job. So I'd love to see a fourth film in the EqG series. If a fourth film was on par or better than these films, I'm sure it'd be a fine film... hopefully they'll try to finally break past the 72 minute mark. I think they need a little more time to flesh these stories and characters out.

Nice job MLP staff. Keep on doing your thing.