History YMMV / MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsRainbowRocks

** From this film onward, the novelizations and [[TieInNovel original chapter books]] for ''Equestria Girls'' are handled by author Perdita Finn, instead of G.M. Berrow (who wrote the novelization of the first film, and writes the chapter books based on the parent show). There wouldn't be anything special about this... If Ms. Finn didn't ''also'' write the novelizations for both ''Toys/MonsterHigh'' and ''Franchise/EverAfterHigh''. Making it funnier is that ([[https://www.amazon.com/Perdita%20Finn/e/B0034PTGDA/ at least on Amazon]]) some of the ''Equestria Girls'' and ''Monster High'' books were released '''on the same day'''. Not only are these rival toy franchises from Creator/{{Mattel}}, but at least the former pretty much [[FollowTheLeader inspired the creation]] of ''Equestria Girls'' in the first place.

* VisualEffectsOfAwesome: It seems the animators became much more confident in animating human characters after the first film, because this one has a ''huge'' AnimationBump, both above the previous film and the show itself. There's a lot of good usage of lighting effects, perspective changes and camera rotation going on, to the point some bits almost look 3D. The climax in particular rivals [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E26TwilightskingdomPart2 Twilight vs. Tirek]] for visual splendor.

* SugarWiki/HeReallyCanAct: She Really Can Act: Rebecca Shoichet was previously only known as Tara Strong's singing double for the parent series, and her role as Sunset in the previous film didn't really give her that much to do (other than yell and be mean). Here she turns Sunset into a very layered and conflicted character - amping up her status as TheWoobie. She also really brings it in the climax, where she gives Sunset a distinct singing voice from Twilight - and is essentially dueting with herself!

* HeReallyCanAct: She Really Can Act: Rebecca Shoichet was previously only known as Tara Strong's singing double for the parent series, and her role as Sunset in the previous film didn't really give her that much to do (other than yell and be mean). Here she turns Sunset into a very layered and conflicted character - amping up her status as TheWoobie. She also really brings it in the climax, where she gives Sunset a distinct singing voice from Twilight - and is essentially dueting with herself!

* ToughActToFollow: Once ''Rainbow Rocks'' proved itself a SurprisinglyImprovedSequel, it set the bar against which all following ''Equestria Girls'' media would be measured. While most subsequent films and specials have been well received in their own right, general consensus is that ''Rainbow Rocks'' is still the high point of the franchise.

** The Dazzlings/The Sirens gave us a trio of antagonists who were charismatic, funny, villainously competent, and had great songs and designs. Barring Sunset and Twilight, who have reformed and joined the central cast, no other ''Equestria Girls'' villain comes close to the Sirens for popularity. They even became BreakoutCharacters that crossed into the main continuity as enemies who fought the Pillars of Equestria.

* ToughActToFollow:
** Once ''Rainbow Rocks'' proved itself a SurprisinglyImprovedSequel, it set the bar against which all following ''Equestria Girls'' media would be measured. While most subsequent films and specials have been well received in their own right, general consensus is that ''Rainbow Rocks'' is still the high point of the franchise. The Sirens in particular enjoy a nigh-untouchable reputation as the best villains ''Equestria Girls'' has produced.

* FranchiseOriginalSin: Adagio Dazzle was an competent, charismatic BigBad and counterpart to Sunset Shimmer, Sonata Dusk was PluckyComicRelief counterpart to Pinkie Pie, Aria Blaze... never got a narrative function, but was such a {{Foil}} to them that this was not a big loss. Come [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsFriendshipGames the sequel]], which had five times as many supporting antagonists, [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter their under-utilization]] was perhaps the biggest reason it [[ToughActToFollow struggled to measure up]].

* SheReallyCanAct: Rebecca Shoichet was previously only known as Tara Strong's singing double for the parent series, and her role as Sunset in the previous film didn't really give her that much to do (other than yell and be mean). Here she turns Sunset into a very layered and conflicted character - amping up her status as TheWoobie. She also really brings it in the climax, where she gives Sunset a distinct singing voice from Twilight - and is essentially dueting with herself!

** Fans of ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'' will no doubt find something familiar in a trio of mysterious villains led by a CreepyAwesome MagnificentBitch who infiltrate a school to further their plans.

* FranchiseOriginalSin: Adagio Dazzle was an [[MagnificentBitch highly competent, charismatic]] BigBad and counterpart to Sunset Shimmer, Sonata Dusk was [[EnsembleDarkhorse surprisingly popular]] PluckyComicRelief counterpart to Pinkie Pie, Aria Blaze... never got a narrative function, but was such a {{Foil}} to them that this was not a big loss. Come [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsFriendshipGames the sequel]], which had five times as many supporting antagonists, [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter their under-utilization]] was perhaps the biggest reason it [[ToughActToFollow struggled to measure up]].

* MagnificentBitch: Adagio Dazzle is a very effective villain, proving a threat with a simple plan and [[XanatosSpeedChess adapting quickly to manipulate everyone else to leave the Dazzlings on top.]] She even comes dangerously close to winning the final battle due to her planning. Her plan is to TakeOverTheWorld using the power of ''SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic''. That ''alone'' is Magnificent.

** Another is that the Humane Six immediately defeated Sunset Shimmer after transforming without any kind of fight. That's also corrected here. Not only the first movie, but the show's tendency to do this was played for as much CringeComedy as possible, when that's more or less what Twilight decides to do the moment she goes through the portal. It... [[EpicFail doesn't go so well]].

** They are also similar to [[WesternAnimation/WinxClub Icy, Stormy and Darcy a.k.a. the Trix.]]

** Once ''Rainbow Rocks'' proved itself a SurprisinglyImprovedSequel, it set the bar against which all following ''Equestria Girls'' media would be measured. While most subsequent films and specials have been well received in their own right, general consensus is that ''Rainbow Rocks'' is still the high point of the franchise.

** Ended up setting the high bar against which the subsequent films would be judged. While ''Friendship Games'' and ''Legend of Everfree'' were fairly well received, general consensus is that neither is as good as ''Rainbow Rocks''.

%%* BigLippedAlligatorMoment: Friendship Through the Ages

** From this film onward, the novelizations and [[TieInNovel original chapter books]] for ''Equestria Girls'' are handled by author Perdita Finn, instead of G.M. Berrow (who wrote the novelization of the first film, and writes the chapter books based on the parent show). There wouldn't be anything special about this... If Ms. Finn didn't ''also'' write the novelizations for both ''Franchise/MonsterHigh'' and ''Franchise/EverAfterHigh''. Making it funnier is that ([[https://www.amazon.com/Perdita%20Finn/e/B0034PTGDA/ at least on Amazon]]) some of the ''Equestria Girls'' and ''Monster High'' books were released '''on the same day'''. Not only are these rival toy franchises from Creator/{{Mattel}}, but at least the former pretty much [[FollowTheLeader inspired the creation]] of ''Equestria Girls'' in the first place.

* SurprisinglyImprovedSequel: EvenBetterSequel to [[BrokenBase those who liked the first]]. Consensus is that every aspect lacking in the original was improved to some degree; Sunset and Twilight get more character development, the story is stronger, the songs are better (and worked into the story better), the animation is much improved, and the villains are better.

* SurprisinglyImprovedSequel: EvenBetterSequel to [[BrokenBase those who liked the first]]. Consensus is that ''Rainbow Rocks'' is better than the original movie. Pretty much every aspect lacking in the original was improved to some degree; Sunset and Twilight get more character development, the story is stronger, the songs are better (and worked into the story better), the animation is much improved, and the villains are better.

** And then there's their strong resemblance to [[Film/{{Heathers}} the]] Theatre/{{Heathers}}. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mXiQJwZNps Exhibit A...]]

* BigLippedAlligatorMoment: Friendship Through the Ages

** "Perfect Day for Fun!" too.

** On the other hand, "Friendship Through the Ages", with its frequently changing styles, is less likely to stick...
--->''Things may come and things may go\\
Some go fast and some go slow\\
Few things last, that's all I know\\
But friendship carries on through the ages...''
:::... darn it!

** One of the cut songs, "Friendship Through the Ages", has Sunset dancing with the Mane Six in various backdrops to different genres of music. Twilight's segment? Has her playing piano in an empty ballroom. ''With Sunset sitting on the piano watching her''. Twilight then stands up and moves towards Sunset to take her hands; though they don't, it seriously looks like the two were about to dance together. The fact that it takes place with a piano, like the above scene, hasn't gone unnoticed either.

** A few frames from the trailer of a cop doing a move similar to "The Robot", some fans toyed with the name "Officer Pootang Mang".

** After the image of Sunset's three portraits in the first movie went memetic with the third picture being replaced by something else, "My Past Is Not Today" has Sunset taking down the portraits and throwing them away, prompting the response from fans "guess she got tired of the meme."

* SuspiciouslySimilarSong: The melody of "Music to My Ears" in the DJ Pon-3 short is almost identical to that of "Bullseye" by [=KDrew=].

** A lot of skeptics were impressed by the "Music to My Ears" trailer.
** The shorts in general have been winning over the crowd, even those who didn't like the first film.

* SurprisinglyImprovedSequel: EvenBetterSequel to [[BrokenBase those who liked the first]]. [[LoveItOrHateIt Its quality aside]], consensus is that ''Rainbow Rocks'' is better than the original movie. Pretty much every aspect lacking in the original was improved to some degree; Sunset and Twilight get more character development, the story is stronger, the songs are better (and worked into the story better), the animation is much improved, and the villains are better.

* SurprisinglyImprovedSequel: EvenBetterSequel to [[BrokenBase those who liked the first]]. [[LoveItOrHateIt Its quality aside]], consensus is that the sequel is the better of the two movies. Pretty much every aspect lacking in the original was improved to some degree; Sunset and Twilight get more character development, the story is stronger, the songs are better (and worked into the story better), the animation is much improved, and the villains are better.

** During the final battle as [[spoiler:Sunset Shimmer powers up]], the way the characters are lined up in one shot makes it look like Spike is standing between Rarity's legs. Even more so, when the Humane 7 hug, Spike joins in - by hugging Rarity's leg. Remember, he's still a dog here...

-->'''Michael Vogel:''' I guess Taco Tuesday didn't sit well with everyone.

** During the mass arguing in the gym, Octavia points to her face as if to tell a [[MaleGaze male student]] "MyEyesAreUpHere!".

(''MEEEEP'')\\
'''[[Creator/JoshScorcher Huebert J. Flank]]:''' Oh, sorry. (''reading a sheet of paper'') Adagio Dazzle, Sonata Dusk, and Aria Blaze infiltrate the school.\\
(''ding'')

* FranchiseOriginalSin: Adagio Dazzle was an [[MagnificentBitch highly competent, charismatic]] BigBad and counterpart to Sunset Shimmer, Sonata Dusk was [[EnsembleDarkhorse surprisingly popular]] PluckyComicRelief counterpart to Pinkie Pie, Aria Blaze... never got a narrative function, but was such a {{Foil}} to them that this was not a big loss. Come [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsFriendshipGames the sequel]], which had five times as many supporting antagonists, [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter their underutilization]] was perhaps the biggest reason it [[ToughActToFollow struggled to measure up]].

* GrowingTheBeard: ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirls'' caused significant fan backlash [[AudienceAlienatingPremise by premise alone]], with the final product being viewed as SoOkayItsAverage by the [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic parent series']] high standard, not leaving much reason to care. ''Rainbow Rocks'' gave reason, with engaging story, songs, action and characters both new and returning, and [[AuthorsSavingThrow atones for the first movie's faults]]. This was to the EG series what FIM was to MLP, leaving fans excited to [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsFriendshipGames future prospects]].

** From this film onward, the novelizations and [[TieInNovel original chapter books]] for ''Equestria Girls'' are handled by author Perdita Finn, instead of G.M. Berrow (who wrote the novelization of the first film, and writes the chapter books based on the parent show). There wouldn't be anything special about this... If Ms. Finn didn't ''also'' write the novelizations for both ''Franchise/MonsterHigh'' and ''Franchise/EverAfterHigh''. Making it funnier is that ([[https://www.amazon.com/Perdita%20Finn/e/B0034PTGDA/ at least on Amazon]]) some of the ''Equestria Girls'' and ''Monster High'' books were released '''on the same day'''. Not only are these rival toy franchises from {{Creator/Mattel}}, but at least the former pretty much [[FollowTheLeader inspired the creation]] of ''Equestria Girls'' in the first place.

'''Big Macintosh:''' (''walking by the window'') Nope.

* UnintentionallyUnsympathetic: Depending on your perspective; Flash Sentry certainly had more haters than fans after the first movie, and come this one, the showrunners seemed to be aware of it. Right from the get-go with Twilight (after the [[EnthrallingSiren Dazzlings]] entered the scene), Flash acts a little aloof, then much later is shown to be a full on {{Jerkass}} to the point of making Twilight [[BreakTheCutie cry]]. Haters were quick to jump onto this as all the evidence they needed to justify their contempt for him, seemingly forgetting that Flash was just as influenced by the Sirens' [[TookALevelInJerkass manipulative music]] as everyone else. The idea seemed to be the showrunners wanted to show Flash in a better light after he was freed to prove he's not nearly as bad as haters claim, but it didn't seem to have the effect they were looking for.

* GrowingTheBeard: ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirls'' caused significant fan backlash [[AudienceAlienatingPremise by premise alone]], with the final product being viewed as SoOkayItsAverage by the [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic parent series']] high standard, not leaving much reason to care. ''Rainbow Rocks'' gave reason, with engaging story, songs, action and characters both new and returning, and [[AuthorsSavingThrow atones for the first movie's faults]]. While the series is still [[LoveItOrHateIt not going to be winning any popularity polls anytime soon, many people appreciate the effort]]. This was to the EG series what FIM was to MLP, leaving fans excited to [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsFriendshipGames future prospects]].