M02: Equestria Girls - Rainbow Rocks

Episode, movie, and comic book discussion threads are kept here once they have been released.

Moderators: Perrydotto, Dexanth, Venusy, Wayoshi

Re: M02: Equestria Girls - Rainbow Rocks

Postby Grue (?) » Wed Oct 01, 2014 5:55 pm

I think they can cut the "failed friendship song" because it's, well, pretty bad.

But they better stay away from "Awesome As I Wanna Be".
Grue
User avatar
But I won't be
burned by the reflection
of the fire in your eyes
as you're staring at the sun
We Like Spike
Joined: Apr 09, 2011

Postby Aramek (?) » Wed Oct 01, 2014 5:58 pm

Between the Tenacious D, Scott Pilgrim, and ending to Elite Beat Agents, I have a huuuuuge fucking soft spot for "music/voice as battle" because that shit is so awesome.

Seriously look at this!

LOOK AT IT!



I'VE GOT GOOSEBUMPS! :twonk:
Aramek
User avatar
Your MRI results have shown total infection to now be approximately one fifth of the full mass of the tissue.

"So you're saying..."

Your brain is about 20% tumor.
Rarity's Roughnecks
Joined: Feb 25, 2011
Location: Chicago, IL.
Gender: Male

Postby Headless Horse (?) » Wed Oct 01, 2014 9:49 pm

RainbowDoubleDash wrote:The third-best thing about Sunset came when the Dazzlings tried to basically get her to either give into her own despair at the thought of ever getting friends, or else maybe even go back to her old ways. And...she didn't. Sure, what the Dazzlings said to her when he was alone with them hurt her, we could see that, but as much as it hurt her it didn't get to her at any point. She just went right on trying to make her new friendships work, save the school, etc. This actually meshes pretty well with her actions in the first movie, in that the first movie established Sunset as a long-term thinker and planner (contrasting with Twilight, who lives pretty much in the moment, for all that she makes checklists for her days). Same thing happened here; her eyes never left the prize.


I know this was already discussed, but—the way I read the narrative, Sunset jumping on-stage to intervene when RD's ears threatened to awesome their way into existence was influenced by her being goaded by the Sirens that she wasn't taking an active role in the band. I felt like what they said did sting her, and while she didn't take the bait and turn on them, she did feel it necessary to "contribute" personally when the moment called for it. It was in a rather poorly thought-out way that she did it (which the others pointed out right then—"You could have closed the curtains")—which I thought was meant to show that she'd been thrown off balance by the Dazzlings' mind games.
Headless Horse
User avatar
The yoke is strictly ornamental
Faithful Students
Joined: May 23, 2011

Postby SoundMonkey44 (?) » Wed Oct 01, 2014 10:01 pm

Yeah watching sunset sort through her own insecurities and eventually jouin the rest of the group as an equal at the end to beat the Dazzlings really helped make the movie.

And yeah they did get to her to a degree, they got to all of em eventually be it through direct contact or having other bands try to Sabatoge em.

This movie had lots of little things that were fun/interesting to see.
Image
Sunset Shimmer is BEST Hu-Mane!!
SoundMonkey44
User avatar
Ain't Got No Sense, No Sense At All.
Joined: Feb 04, 2013
Location: The South West
Gender: Male

Postby Headless Horse (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 1:11 am

Oh yeah, and something else I definitely had meant to mention—

Whenever the girls are singing a song that's going wrong somehow, I was blown away by how well they reproduced the ways in which it was going wrong in the audio. Like, someone gets pulled away from the microphone, and their voice gets muffled and faint. They lose the beat on the drums, and the drums in the soundtrack keep matching the drums in the animation even though they're flailing all over the place. That takes a hell of a lot of work, and most cartoons will take really blatant shortcutswhen trying to pull something like this off. This one decided it was worth going the extra mile.
Headless Horse
User avatar
The yoke is strictly ornamental
Faithful Students
Joined: May 23, 2011

Postby DerFurShur (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 2:08 am

Yeah I did love that little touch, shows they really put a lot of effort into the film and I think it shows.

They certainly used a lot of great angles and new faces and expressions, most of the best going to Adagio and Sonata, though everyone got at least one.

Another particular moment that stuck out to me was when everyone is accusing of Sunset reverting to her old ways when she tackled Dash and then there's that one moment when Sunset nearly loses her composure and you can hear the frustration in her voice. Rebecca really did a great VA job (even if she hasn't quite gotten down how to make Sunset and Twilight's singing sound different enough from one another yet).
"Why does life have to be so IRONIC?" :milkshake:
DerFurShur
User avatar
Joined: Nov 01, 2013
Location: Tennessee, US

Postby ShieldedDiamond (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 4:03 am

I feel like my opinion is going to upset a lot of people. But I'll say it anyway.

Equestria Girls 2 was, unironically, not only better than the first film, but better than most of the episodes since the start of S3. In fact, I would be really happy if FiM ended to make way for a EQG show. There are many reasons why I feel this way, I'll get into them.

The Postive
-The movie goes back into what I feel is the biggest thing FiM has given up on, friendship development. There is no more friendship development episodes, but here, we got a fresh start, with Sunset Shimmer, and her redemption.
-No other redemption in FiM has been better than Sunset's. Luna kind of became a different character, and wasn't mentioned for a season, and Discord is still kind of a jerk. I feel Sunset's redemption shows a change in her character, she feels guilty, she feels ashamed.
-The new music, and the villains, were really fun. It was catchy, and didn't feel shoe-horned in, because the whole thing's a Band Battle anyway. So it fit. Plus the crazy Rock n Roll outfits, again, fun!
-Fine, burn me at the stake, but I'll say it anyway. I like the EQG designs more than the pony versions now. It just seems to show they're more expressive, being able to use their arms and fingers, or how they walk. I feel this allows the animators to express them better, and therefore, I find that to be another thing better than FiM now.
-It didn't feel like it was about a school. It felt like it was about a group of friends this time around. As a result, I feel like EQG is going into better friendship lessons, which it seems FiM has given up on. I mean, the show is called "Friendship is Magic", but honestly it feels like the writers gave up on that, and is why I'm loosing interest in the show.

Now there are a couple negatives, to go along with the positive, unfortunately. Or better put, things I feel should change.

Things that should change.
-Pony Twilight shouldn't have been in it. In fact, Ponyville shouldn't have been in it. I feel like they only had her in "Because we need to have Twilight in it some how." Yes. They should. But there is a better way to have done it. Human Twilight's scene should have been in the first film, and then she should have appeared in this one. Plus she has cute hair that should be seen more. :3: As it was, I felt like all Twilight did was just explain what the villains are. Though I liked her arc of being expected to do something. But I feel that would have been better as a show lesson.
-Flash is still interchangable, and should really just be taken out altogether. He just didn't contribute anything, and I can't even tell if he has a character to him. Unless playing guitar is a character trait. :pinkieshrug:


Honestly, I feel EQG is a right move, and it should be a series. I feel it's the fresh reboot the brand needs, as I feel the show is just loosing touch with what it was. While I'm for change, I feel it should still be recognizable. I feel that FiM has become unrecognizable to what it was, but EQG2 is now what S1 was, with a fresh, new look. Honestly, I look forward to seeing more.

I find it funny how I can watch this but still not be able to bring myself to watch the finale of the season, after hearing what happens. I feel this goes to prove how things can change. Like, I'm actually upset at the direction of the show, and it's deviation. If the message was "Violence doesn't fix anything", then why was it there in the first place? I know it seems weird, and believe me, it does to me too, but my disappointments with FIM are fixed with EQG. Part of me is wondering if I should drop FiM for EQG at this point.
ShieldedDiamond
User avatar
Rarity's Roughnecks
Joined: Dec 13, 2013

Postby Wayoshi (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 4:07 am

Question, SD - how is this "reboot" as :ponydrugs: as S1-2 for you? Is it really just fresh character / pairs of characters you are looking for, which you've complained about in the comic threads?

-No other redemption in FiM has been better than Sunset's. Luna kind of became a different character, and wasn't mentioned for a season, and Discord is still kind of a jerk. I feel Sunset's redemption shows a change in her character, she feels guilty, she feels ashamed.


Perhaps you're right about this on the back end. The front end is still the huge plot hole that is EqG1.

-Fine, burn me at the stake, but I'll say it anyway. I like the EQG designs more than the pony versions now. It just seems to show they're more expressive, being able to use their arms and fingers, or how they walk. I feel this allows the animators to express them better, and therefore, I find that to be another thing better than FiM now.


But but horse body language :twonk: :twonk:
Last edited by Wayoshi on Thu Oct 02, 2014 4:11 am, edited 1 time in total.
Wayoshi
User avatar
Paper Fluttershy
Stare Masters
Joined: Oct 26, 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Gender: Male

Postby die Fledermaus (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 4:11 am

We call it horsie language
ImageImageImageImage
3DS code: 4811-8169-5683
die Fledermaus
User avatar
Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, crashing through your door.
Diamond Dusters
Joined: Feb 14, 2011
Gender: Male

Postby SoundMonkey44 (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 4:21 am

I won't lie I'm more excited for future EQG projects then season 5 of FIM at this point as well. I mean I already know pony will be good, and know what it's like, But there's so much they could do with Sunset and the rest of the Hu-mane 6 and the Dazzlings and human world Twy. I just feel it has more to suprise me with!


As for any continuity errors the first movie did or did not bring up, the mirror issue was fixed here. And both worlds have ambiguous floating Timelines.
Image
Sunset Shimmer is BEST Hu-Mane!!
SoundMonkey44
User avatar
Ain't Got No Sense, No Sense At All.
Joined: Feb 04, 2013
Location: The South West
Gender: Male

Postby die Fledermaus (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 4:24 am

I'm equally excited for Season 5 and EQA or whatever they call it. Which is still a big jump from 'excited for Season 5 and mildly curious about EQA'.
ImageImageImageImage
3DS code: 4811-8169-5683
die Fledermaus
User avatar
Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, crashing through your door.
Diamond Dusters
Joined: Feb 14, 2011
Gender: Male

Postby ShieldedDiamond (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 4:28 am

Wayoshi wrote:Question, SD - how is this "reboot" as :ponydrugs: as S1-2 for you? Is it really just fresh character / pairs of characters you are looking for, which you've complained about in the comic threads?


It's a reboot to me because I feel it goes back to the roots of "Friendship" in FIM, which I feel is kind of being taken out of the main show, what with the removal of the letters to Celestia, for starters. While EQG hasn't given me the "friendship pairings" I'm looking to see go in depth (as I often mention, I feel Rarity/Twilight is not focused on, but really should be) I feel that from watching this, it's clear that at least EQG is trying to go back into "friendship lessons." And if it turns into a show with Sunset writing to Twilight, I'd be alright with that.

Perhaps you're right about this on the back end. The front end is still the huge plot hole that is EqG1.


I'm sorry, I'm not sure what you mean. That SS redemption wasn't focused on in the end of EQG1? Because if that's what you mean, you're right, I don't think it was all that clear then, as I don't remember anything past her accepting Twilight's hand and getting up. But I liked how it wasn't just "Oh I'm not bad now." in the sequel, and we saw those traits of guilt and shame.

But but horse body language :twonk: :twonk:


Being someone who uses my arms a lot when I talk, I prefer that human body language. :-I
ShieldedDiamond
User avatar
Rarity's Roughnecks
Joined: Dec 13, 2013

Postby Wayoshi (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 5:47 am

To me, SS's redemption is marred because EqG1 has the awful conclusion it does, no matter how well the rest may be done. It's incoherent when SS is suddenly crying a fucking bunch without any other reason than "lol5minutesleft" and then when they actually give main-character effort in the next movie.

I think it's worth remembering that this show was only supposed to go 65 episodes. There's only so many core friendship lessons that can be done. They are stretching as much as they can, and a good chunk of post-S2 episodes have been pretty admirable in doing that well. Did you really want explicit friendship letters to Celestia for 91+ episodes? You do realize the writers got so tired of that formula they broke out of Twi-only just one season in? We've gotten some great episodes/morals with the scope of this generalized more to "self-help" in S3-4 (off the top of my head: Sleepless, Just For Sidekicks, Flight to the Finish, Rarity Takes Manehattan, Pinkie Pride, Filli Vanilli, Sweetie Bell Toils, Testing Testing 1 2 3, Equestria Games)
Wayoshi
User avatar
Paper Fluttershy
Stare Masters
Joined: Oct 26, 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Gender: Male

Postby PaulloDEC (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 6:23 am

Wayoshi wrote:I think it's worth remembering that this show was only supposed to go 65 episodes. There's only so many core friendship lessons that can be done. They are stretching as much as they can, and a good chunk of post-S2 episodes have been pretty admirable in doing that well. Did you really want explicit friendship letters to Celestia for 91+ episodes? You do realize the writers got so tired of that formula they broke out of Twi-only just one season in? We've gotten some great episodes/morals with the scope of this generalized more to "self-help" in S3-4 (off the top of my head: Sleepless, Just For Sidekicks, Flight to the Finish, Rarity Takes Manehattan, Pinkie Pride, Filli Vanilli, Sweetie Bell Toils, Testing Testing 1 2 3, Equestria Games)


I'd agree with all of this.

If Friendship is Magic is changing, it's because the alternative would be to do a disservice to the audience. Lesser shows try to run on the spot, making use of continuity-resets after episodes or ignoring seemingly significant events that have gone before. FiM has shown in no uncertain terms that events matter in this world, and having everything stay the same forever just wouldn't make sense.

ShieldedDiamond wrote:I find it funny how I can watch this but still not be able to bring myself to watch the finale of the season, after hearing what happens. I feel this goes to prove how things can change. Like, I'm actually upset at the direction of the show, and it's deviation. If the message was "Violence doesn't fix anything", then why was it there in the first place?


Could you possibly expand on what it is you're alluding to here?
PaulloDEC
User avatar
Gah!
Joined: Jun 13, 2014
Location: Queensland, Australia
Gender: Male

Postby DerFurShur (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 6:28 am

Eh if everything I had been working years and years to accomplish in hopes of proving how awesome I was suddenly gets ruined by some girl shooting rainbow lasers at me spouting off about how great friendship is I'd probably cry too.

But seriously, Sunset thought friendship wasn't important (kinda like Twilight did in ep 1 though Sunset was to a far greater extreme) so she's spends the majority of her life making everyone around her miserable because she thinks in the end all that matters is that she eventually win and she'll prove that friendship is pointless and that she was the best student Celestia ever had and should be in charge.

Then friendship goes and kicks her ass, leaving her in a literal crater and now not only does everyone still hate her, she doesn't even have a crown to show for it.

That would be a moment of some pretty extreme emotion, so just laying there crying and hoping that they don't burn her at the stake right there seems a pretty reasonable reaction to me.

She's also not even immediately forgiven. Luna got shot with the same rainbow, cries and hugs her sister and then gets a parade. Sunset has to (rightfully I think) rebuild the crap she broke. But I don't see how being shown the (quite literally) is somehow without reason.
"Why does life have to be so IRONIC?" :milkshake:
DerFurShur
User avatar
Joined: Nov 01, 2013
Location: Tennessee, US

Postby ShieldedDiamond (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 6:31 am

PaulloDEC wrote:
Could you possibly expand on what it is you're alluding to here?


Isn't there some Dragon Ball-like fight in the finale of S4?
ShieldedDiamond
User avatar
Rarity's Roughnecks
Joined: Dec 13, 2013

Postby PaulloDEC (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 6:35 am

ShieldedDiamond wrote:
Isn't there some Dragon Ball-like fight in the finale of S4?


Yup. It doesn't solve anything though; in fact it ends up being an entirely pointless endeavor that results in no benefit to anyone. Someone lashes out in anger, and it solves nothing.
PaulloDEC
User avatar
Gah!
Joined: Jun 13, 2014
Location: Queensland, Australia
Gender: Male

Postby DerFurShur (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 6:40 am

Yeah basically Tirek tries to take Twilight's magic by force but they're too evenly matched so he has to rely on making a deal with Twilight by exchanging her magic for her friends, which ends up teaching Discord a lesson about friendship so he gives her the final key that allows them to open the box and send Tirek back to Pony Hell.

Really a lot of people said the fight was pointless but I don't really think so, it showed that Twilight with all four of the princess' magic was too strong for Tirek to overcome through sheer magical dominance.

There's a better argument to be made that the Mane 6 fighting the Changelings was pointless, but it gave us a cool Powerpuff Girls-looking shot and some comedic moments so it gets a pass.
"Why does life have to be so IRONIC?" :milkshake:
DerFurShur
User avatar
Joined: Nov 01, 2013
Location: Tennessee, US

Postby PaulloDEC (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 6:47 am

DerFurShur wrote:Yeah basically Tirek tries to take Twilight's magic by force but they're too evenly matched so he has to rely on making a deal with Twilight by exchanging her magic for her friends, which ends up teaching Discord a lesson about friendship so he gives her the final key that allows them to open the box and send Tirek back to Pony Hell.

Really a lot of people said the fight was pointless but I don't really think so, it showed that Twilight with all four of the princess' magic was too strong for Tirek to overcome through sheer magical dominance.

There's a better argument to be made that the Mane 6 fighting the Changelings was pointless, but it gave us a cool Powerpuff Girls-looking shot and some comedic moments so it gets a pass.


I mostly meant that it was pointless in the sense that it didn't actually result in any positive outcome for either of the characters involved. I actually love that scene, primarily because I loved seeing Twilight in a rare moment of unfiltered, unconstrained emotion. As you said though, plot-wise it's very significant in that it demonstrates the respective strengths of the forces involved.
PaulloDEC
User avatar
Gah!
Joined: Jun 13, 2014
Location: Queensland, Australia
Gender: Male

Postby ShieldedDiamond (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 6:48 am

PaulloDEC wrote:
Yup. It doesn't solve anything though; in fact it ends up being an entirely pointless endeavor that results in no benefit to anyone. Someone lashes out in anger, and it solves nothing.


But my point was, if the point of the fight was to show fighting is pointless, why was the fight there to begin with? Now, that's no fault by storyline, I'd ask that to the writers. Because wouldn't having the villain challenge the fight, and not accepting, with no actual fighting give across the same message? I just feel like showing a fight, with the end message being "Fighting isn't good" (in FiM), isn't that really nothing more than a time-killer? I feel like the same message of "violence doesn't solve anything" was shown across just as well in the first episodes, where nothing occurred.
ShieldedDiamond
User avatar
Rarity's Roughnecks
Joined: Dec 13, 2013

Postby DerFurShur (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 6:56 am

"Fighting doesn't solve anything" wasn't the message
Tirek threatens Twilight and she fights to defend herself, Tirek fails to best her so he resorts to underhanded tricks but ultimately his doing that lays the groundwork for the Mane 6 to mega-evolve and kick his ass with rainbows anyway like in the first My Little Pony gen.
"Why does life have to be so IRONIC?" :milkshake:
DerFurShur
User avatar
Joined: Nov 01, 2013
Location: Tennessee, US

Postby PaulloDEC (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 6:56 am

ShieldedDiamond wrote:
But my point was, if the point of the fight was to show fighting is pointless, why was the fight there to begin with? Now, that's no fault by storyline, I'd ask that to the writers. Because wouldn't having the villain challenge the fight, and not accepting, with no actual fighting give across the same message? I just feel like showing a fight, with the end message being "Fighting isn't good" (in FiM), isn't that really nothing more than a time-killer? I feel like the same message of "violence doesn't solve anything" was shown across just as well in the first episodes, where nothing occurred.


So wait, you're against violence in the show, period?

Not everything in the show is there to demonstrate a message, nor should it be. The fight in the Season 4 finale might have had the incidental effect of aligning with a "fighting doesn't solve problems" message, but I'd bet money that it was primarily there for storytelling and character reasons. The stakes are high and Twilight is forced to act alone. Ultimately she's pushed too far, and she pushes back. This is solid character drama as far as I'm concerned. If you try to write from a perspective where any action that proves futile ought to be excised from the story, I'm not sure your end result would be very compelling.
PaulloDEC
User avatar
Gah!
Joined: Jun 13, 2014
Location: Queensland, Australia
Gender: Male

Postby DerFurShur (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 7:02 am

Also since the beginning the show has never shied away from confrontation sure the Mane six only throw physical punches like twice (once in a comic book world) but time and again whenever someone comes in and threatens the girls' or the ones they care about, they usually fight back. Sometimes through debate to reach an ubderstanding, sometimes through magic rainbows.

But the show has never really been about supporting this idea of avoiding conflict, but rather if there's no other option then conflict must be faced head-on.
"Why does life have to be so IRONIC?" :milkshake:
DerFurShur
User avatar
Joined: Nov 01, 2013
Location: Tennessee, US

Postby ShieldedDiamond (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 7:08 am

PaulloDEC wrote:
So wait, you're against violence in the show, period?

Not everything in the show is there to demonstrate a message, nor should it be. The fight in the Season 4 finale might have had the incidental effect of aligning with a "fighting doesn't solve problems" message, but I'd bet money that it was primarily there for storytelling and character reasons. The stakes are high and Twilight is forced to act alone. Ultimately she's pushed too far, and she pushes back. This is solid character drama as far as I'm concerned. If you try to write from a perspective where any action that proves futile ought to be excised from the story, I'm not sure your end result would be very compelling.


Well, I'm not against violence in kids shows, I prefer not having violence in MLP. Reason being, I don't see it in the same taste as the show. I'm not watching Attack on Titan for friendship lessons, and I'm not watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for scientific education. That's how I feel about that. When I found out that was in the episode, character development didn't come to mind, what came to mind was "the writers wanted to do something 'epic'" and that really disappointed me, because I just don't see it fitting in, even if there was supposed to be a point.

As for character drama, you could also start killing off characters, that's effective. That's what I mean. (That's what I mean as in, that's effective for some shows, but not FiM. Killing off characters would not be good in my book for FiM!) I feel there are other ways to enforce character drama, without resorting to a way like that, because in my opinion, it doesn't fit the show. The show I feel has created solid drama in the past without that, and seeing how they did something that in my opinion is out of the blue, makes me feel like FiM is loosing the charm that made me watch it in the first place.
ShieldedDiamond
User avatar
Rarity's Roughnecks
Joined: Dec 13, 2013

Postby The Outlander (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 7:09 am

Sorry, that was just how I interpreted the events. I didn't think you might talk about them on here, SD. The point I was making that the S4 finale was possibly a lesson about how violence was useless hinges on how they handle Season 5. If they start solving problems by punching them in the face, then the S4 finale will ring hollow and I'll have to come up with some other excuse to like it. Same goes with Discord, who has a possibility of being an interesting character in the following season, but only if the writers fully understand the extent of what the S4 finale should have, and apparently already has, done to his character.

So anyways, watched the movie again because I'm addicted and can't get enough. I noticed in the end credits that it lines up all the anime artworks just before the stinger ending, and it shows Sunset Shimmer with the rest of the Mane Six. She isn't even on the outermost limits (reserved for AJ and Fluttershy), she's the second one in from the left. This makes it all but certain that she'll be appearing as a main character in later Equestria Girls related material, but I'm wondering if maybe the show runners are looking to add her to the main show as well. She's clearly engineered color and personality-wise to fit in with the rest of the cast, and after this movie I'm inclined to think she'd be a great addition to the show.
Kate wrote:there are as many female characters in the base game as there are Cole McGraths
The Outlander
User avatar
Oh Barry~
Rarity's Roughnecks
Joined: Oct 21, 2012
Location: Bradford, PA

Postby ShieldedDiamond (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 7:12 am

Oh, I wasn't going off of anything that you meant, I was just saying how I personally felt. Like I said, I'm not watching Attack on Titan for friendship lessons, so I'd kind of like to keep the epic-fight-scenes out of FiM.
ShieldedDiamond
User avatar
Rarity's Roughnecks
Joined: Dec 13, 2013

Postby Marioland1 (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 7:18 am

I saw this movie a few days ago, and I might as well just say that it blew my expectations away. The music was top notch (sans the Snips and Snails rap, which was to be expected from that duo). Daniel outdid himself to thew point where my head has become a playlist of every song from the show sans "Awesome as I Wanna Be", and it just keeps repeating over and over and over again.

All of the characters stayed true to their nature. Pinkie was funny, Rainbow was awesome,Twilight was an egghead, and Maud was Maud (The entire theater cracked up at her entrance, myself included). Sunset in particular caught my eye due to the radically different nature from the first movie, as she's quickly donned a more positive attitude and is actively aiming to redeem herself. It feels like she's a different character, which isn't a bad thing. I'd call it a good thing actually, especially given the part she plays in uncovering the Dazzlings for what they are and eventually being the piece that holds them steady in the end.

On that note, it's a stroke of genius to give Twilight the linked journal, and I'm hoping we see some reference to this in the show. Twilight having a pupil (beyond the Crusaders) is something I've been waiting for; to see the student become the teacher. I pretty much squeed when I saw Sunset writing the note to Twilight. It was well worth seeing.

And, of course, we got to see the "real" Twilight as well. In true Twilight form, she knows what's going on to some degree, and I'm hoping that this is a hint at a threequel. This saga has proven itself worthy of having one, and I'd be more than eager to throw my money at one.
ImageImage
Marioland1
User avatar
Trouble in Horse Town
Joined: Jun 30, 2014
Location: Behind Minecraft_B5's TTT Control Panel (and autoslay system)
Gender: Male

Postby PaulloDEC (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 7:41 am

ShieldedDiamond wrote:
Well, I'm not against violence in kids shows, I prefer not having violence in MLP. Reason being, I don't see it in the same taste as the show. I'm not watching Attack on Titan for friendship lessons, and I'm not watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for scientific education. That's how I feel about that. When I found out that was in the episode, character development didn't come to mind, what came to mind was "the writers wanted to do something 'epic'" and that really disappointed me, because I just don't see it fitting in, even if there was supposed to be a point.

As for character drama, you could also start killing off characters, that's effective. That's what I mean. (That's what I mean as in, that's effective for some shows, but not FiM. Killing off characters would not be good in my book for FiM!) I feel there are other ways to enforce character drama, without resorting to a way like that, because in my opinion, it doesn't fit the show. The show I feel has created solid drama in the past without that, and seeing how they did something that in my opinion is out of the blue, makes me feel like FiM is loosing the charm that made me watch it in the first place.


It sounds like your reasons are well thought-out, and I can certainly respect that.

All I'd say now is that I don't watch MLP for epic fights (or any fights) either, but I've liked the few occasions they've done that sort of thing but I've felt it made sense for the characters and situations in which it occurred. The last thing I'd want introduced into the show is fighting and violence for its own sake.

I'd urge you to give the finale a chance sometime. There's tons of great stuff on either side of the fight scene, and it sounds like you're already drifting away from FiM, so you've not got much to lose.
PaulloDEC
User avatar
Gah!
Joined: Jun 13, 2014
Location: Queensland, Australia
Gender: Male

Postby ilcane87 (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 8:26 am

The Outlander wrote:So anyways, watched the movie again because I'm addicted and can't get enough. I noticed in the end credits that it lines up all the anime artworks just before the stinger ending, and it shows Sunset Shimmer with the rest of the Mane Six. She isn't even on the outermost limits (reserved for AJ and Fluttershy), she's the second one in from the left. This makes it all but certain that she'll be appearing as a main character in later Equestria Girls related material, but I'm wondering if maybe the show runners are looking to add her to the main show as well. She's clearly engineered color and personality-wise to fit in with the rest of the cast, and after this movie I'm inclined to think she'd be a great addition to the show.

I've thought of that too, and another reason is that Sunset's addition would restore the symmetry of the group, now that Twilight isn't a unicorn anymore.

But alas, I can't see it happening anytime soon, not when FiM-Sunset is set on staying in EqG-Equestria, and has no reason to leave her friends there.
The only way it could possibly happen at this point would be for EqG-Sunset to be introduced and somehow made to move permanently to FiM-Equestria, which would feel pretty contrived if you ask me. :3:
ilcane87
User avatar
:allears: ~ So Many Wonders
Joined: Dec 03, 2012

Postby SoundMonkey44 (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 8:38 am

The Outlander wrote:Sorry, that was just how I interpreted the events. I didn't think you might talk about them on here, SD. The point I was making that the S4 finale was possibly a lesson about how violence was useless hinges on how they handle Season 5. If they start solving problems by punching them in the face, then the S4 finale will ring hollow and I'll have to come up with some other excuse to like it. Same goes with Discord, who has a possibility of being an interesting character in the following season, but only if the writers fully understand the extent of what the S4 finale should have, and apparently already has, done to his character.

So anyways, watched the movie again because I'm addicted and can't get enough. I noticed in the end credits that it lines up all the anime artworks just before the stinger ending, and it shows Sunset Shimmer with the rest of the Mane Six. She isn't even on the outermost limits (reserved for AJ and Fluttershy), she's the second one in from the left. This makes it all but certain that she'll be appearing as a main character in later Equestria Girls related material, but I'm wondering if maybe the show runners are looking to add her to the main show as well. She's clearly engineered color and personality-wise to fit in with the rest of the cast, and after this movie I'm inclined to think she'd be a great addition to the show.


I could see Sunset visiting Equestria to confront Celestia and make amends there. But I doubt she would stay.

As for copies, again I personally beleive not every character has a double *thus the reason we have original BG Ponies & Humans exclusive to each world on top of Humanizations of some chars *, IMO Sunset ended up in that world cause it was her destiny to help bring the magic to that world, and protect it from dark magics. But that's just my 2-cents.


Edit: Here's a list of people involved with the Rainbow Rocks Audio Commentarty.
Meghan McCarthy (Writer)
Jayson Thiessen (Supervising Director)
Ishi Rudell (Co-Director)
Michael Vogel (VP of Development, Hasbro)
Brian Lenard (Exec. Director, Hasbro)


Edit 2: Rainbow Rocks will only have a 90 minute timeslot on Discovery Family. The movie is s just 78 minutes, but it does make me fear they might try to cut stuff out, I mean the first was 72 and they cut it down to 66. Here's hoping they realize that won't work with this one! *knock on wood*

Though I'm guessing they'll probsbly cut out the neat end credits & the Human World Twy Teaser at the end. :-/

Anywho in my timeline its on from 2:30-4:00 which is fine as I'm out Fall Break that week anyway. :crack:

Edit: The First Equestria Girls & Twilight's Kingdom will be rerun before the premire of Rainbow Rocks.
Image
Sunset Shimmer is BEST Hu-Mane!!
SoundMonkey44
User avatar
Ain't Got No Sense, No Sense At All.
Joined: Feb 04, 2013
Location: The South West
Gender: Male

Postby Dexanth (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 2:09 pm

ShieldedDiamond wrote:
But my point was, if the point of the fight was to show fighting is pointless, why was the fight there to begin with? Now, that's no fault by storyline, I'd ask that to the writers. Because wouldn't having the villain challenge the fight, and not accepting, with no actual fighting give across the same message? I just feel like showing a fight, with the end message being "Fighting isn't good" (in FiM), isn't that really nothing more than a time-killer? I feel like the same message of "violence doesn't solve anything" was shown across just as well in the first episodes, where nothing occurred.


I'd argue this is kind of one of those things you just have to see, and making suppositions about it without actually watching it isn't going to do anything for anybody :-I

Anyhoo : I'm still definitely far more into S5 than an EQA, but there's nothing stopping both from co-existing. Certainly, the Writers and VAs would be able to handle it. The hardest part would be on like Meghan/Jayson/Jim, for whom doing both at once might prove too much.
:milkshake: Image ImageImage Image
Dexanth
User avatar
Love conquers all
Celestia's Champions
Joined: Oct 23, 2011
Gender: Female

Postby SoundMonkey44 (?) » Thu Oct 02, 2014 2:22 pm

And Don't forget Meghan has Larson helping out with story Editing Duties on FIM & Ishi Rudell is Co-Directing the EQG stuff!

Edit: if you can't catch the October 17th TV airing of Rainbow Rocks there will be an Encore on Saturday the 18th! It's from 11:30-1:00 in the Central Timezone... As for others, check local listings & what not. :v:
Image
Sunset Shimmer is BEST Hu-Mane!!
SoundMonkey44
User avatar
Ain't Got No Sense, No Sense At All.
Joined: Feb 04, 2013
Location: The South West
Gender: Male

Postby Homeswirl (?) » Fri Oct 03, 2014 9:26 pm

Regarding epic battle in the S4 finale, I think it's fine to throw in some intense moments. As a striking contrast to the rest of the show, it really comes off as high-stakes. It would just be a disservice to try to continue along that vein regularly. Stuff like this needs to be unexpected and rare events thrown in to spice the main meat of friendship and social interaction.


Now, to the movie. I came into it spoiler-free.


I thought it was better than EqG1. EqG1 was disappointing and boring for the most part, and the story arcs were kind of dumb, shallow, and cliche especially in comparison to the show. RR was much more in the fun & lively kind of dumb, but Sunset Shimmer's role really gave the movie some substance. I liked that it was much more fantasy oriented, and didn't feel as "high-school teen dramacom" constrained as the first.

I liked that it launched right into continuity from the previous movie; living with a major battle's aftermath is something I've been impressed with ever since watching Robotech as a kid. I was cringing at the notion of it focusing on SS's redemption, but it was portrayed really, really well. However, what was always on the back of my mind is why SS bothered staying here. She's a highly accomplished magic student and former protege of the deity-princess in Equestria... yet she's staying here in Teen High School where everybody hates her.

When characters acted like jerks, especially Luna in the beginning, it pissed me off and broke suspension for a second before realizing that they were written to be out of character due to magic influence. This happened a number of times in the movie, where coming across as jerks just didn't seem to flow as part of the conflict, but was just jarring.

Brad was more actively annoying here than in the first, but whatever. He didn't waste too much of the movie's time. The cameos were okay, but didn't do much for me. The age-bending of the CMCs, mane 6, Bulk Biceps, and Photo Finish all being schoolmates is still weird.

The animation was legitimately great, though the older character designs are still terrible. The Dazzlings, being new designs, looked jarringly better than the rest of the cast. Seeing the full, expressive character images in the credits reinforced how disappointing the Humane 6 stick figures look in the movie proper.

The music was really fun. I was really impressed with the Dazzling's final songs, with nice eerie minor glissandos and great instrumentation. I love William Anderson's big dramatic scores in the show, but with this being band-oriented we weren't able to get that facet of background music here which I did miss a bit. There were a LOT of songs here, and while they were good, it seemed a little relentless during the late-middle of the movie. The climax was wonderfully climactic and finally brought the "power of music" to a head.


Overall, a good movie, and SS was fantastic. Though I still wish we'd get a proper, full friendship + fantasy theatrical pony release. :eyebrow:
Homeswirl
User avatar
Joined: Nov 26, 2013

Postby Aramek (?) » Fri Oct 03, 2014 10:15 pm

How much did you love Trixie? :scootawoo:
Aramek
User avatar
Your MRI results have shown total infection to now be approximately one fifth of the full mass of the tissue.

"So you're saying..."

Your brain is about 20% tumor.
Rarity's Roughnecks
Joined: Feb 25, 2011
Location: Chicago, IL.
Gender: Male

Postby Homeswirl (?) » Fri Oct 03, 2014 10:23 pm

I liked Trixie. But, I thought the "smoke bomb and run" moments fell flat. The last one where she was trying to get over the wall was okay, because she wasn't just hiding. The rest of her screen presence was great.
Homeswirl
User avatar
Joined: Nov 26, 2013

Postby SoundMonkey44 (?) » Fri Oct 03, 2014 10:35 pm

I agree aging up the CMC and aging down obvious adult characters like Photo Finish feels weird, but again the mane six in FIM don't have set ages, it's just speculation that they are [insert age group here] in pony pony they are kids, teens & adults all wrapped into one cute package and will have their more childish or mature sides pop out for whatever is needed for the story.

The only real problem with EQG humanizing them and locking them into the teen age group is that it's harder to justify time passing without it mattering, in magical pony world it doesn't matter, but keeping them in high school forever, or using the "Archie Andrews Effect". Can be pretty hit or miss for any cartoon. But I trust the show staff can make it work none the less. :v:
Image
Sunset Shimmer is BEST Hu-Mane!!
SoundMonkey44
User avatar
Ain't Got No Sense, No Sense At All.
Joined: Feb 04, 2013
Location: The South West
Gender: Male

Postby Homeswirl (?) » Fri Oct 03, 2014 11:46 pm

Oh, forgot to mention my favorite response in watching the movie: "Space Alicorn Yamato is firing the Wave Motion Rainbow"
Homeswirl
User avatar
Joined: Nov 26, 2013

Postby Wayoshi (?) » Sat Oct 04, 2014 8:26 pm



That disappointing premiere time... :fluttersmith:
Wayoshi
User avatar
Paper Fluttershy
Stare Masters
Joined: Oct 26, 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Gender: Male

Postby ShieldedDiamond (?) » Sat Oct 04, 2014 9:17 pm



If they're trying to advertise the rebranding, why keep the Hub logo in the promo after saying it premiers after the change?
ShieldedDiamond
User avatar
Rarity's Roughnecks
Joined: Dec 13, 2013

Postby Octavia (?) » Sun Oct 05, 2014 2:43 am

Just saw Rainbow Rocks today in theaters with the Chicago Ponygoon crew. I think the songs are much improved over the first film. There were also a lot more people of the target audience's age group this time around than when I saw the first film in theaters. :-I

I loved Maud's cameo. :maud:
Octavia
User avatar
Octavia's Orchestra
Joined: Sep 17, 2011
Location: Chicago, IL
Gender: Male

Previous Next

Return to Pony Media Release Threads

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 0 guests