It's no secret that the wide acclaim for Rainbow Rocks left Friendship games a Tough Act to Follow as sequel.
Comparing Rainbow Rocks to Friendship Games is like apples and oranges. RR was a plot-driven musical spectacle with a measured pace, leading to an intense climax. With Sunset Shimmer's character arc as the emotional focus.
FG is a character-driven narrative with two arcs, Sunset's continued growing confidence, and human Twilight's efforts understanding magic, as foreshadowed in The Stinger.
First, the songs. Are they as standalone, poppy and infectious as last time? Perhaps not. but in terms of tying with the movie's plot, it has a subtle but effective atmosphere that remains memorable. From the uplifting rally number, the great use of chanting and drums in its opening, the smackdown of Acadca, the marvelous villain song Unleash the Magic which could comfortably be in a Disney movie, and my favorite What More is Out There, which feels like a princess's "I Want" Song with jaw-dropping high notes and violin. The bgm also deserves praise, Twilight and Sunset share memorable swirling string motifs, lowering and darkening in dramatic moments, fast and high in the climax, an electronic tint in her investigating scenes, and full and harmonious during the climax.
As for the conflict itself, the Friendship Games allow more consistent action than the previous two, and has some utterly fantastic lines of comedic snark and interplay by the Mane Five and Shadowbolts. With growing tension as Twilight's device creates portals/absorbing magic, the movie does a good job keeping viewer interest before and during the games.
Now for the villains, which makes or breaks the film for most. Principle Cinch is hammy to a hilarious degree, with many cartoonishly vile traits that makes the audience despise her, Twilight's own insecurities made worse by her actions made me Love to Hate her. Unsubtle to be sure, but villains don't always need to be, and personally entertained.
The Shadowbolts are serviceable. They have enough glimpses of personality that we can grasp their roles. Admittedly I'd like to see more of them, they themselves, Principle Cinch even, weren't the real antagonists.
Twilight's lonely state, leaving only her curiosity as motivation, becomes the cruel Midnight Sparkle. But with Sunset's empathy,she finds a helping hand in a sweet, joyful finale.
An Emotional Way to Cap Off the Trilogy
It's no secret that the wide acclaim for Rainbow Rocks left Friendship games a Tough Act to Follow as sequel. Comparing Rainbow Rocks to Friendship Games is like apples and oranges. RR was a plot-driven musical spectacle with a measured pace, leading to an intense climax. With Sunset Shimmer's character arc as the emotional focus. FG is a character-driven narrative with two arcs, Sunset's continued growing confidence, and human Twilight's efforts understanding magic, as foreshadowed in The Stinger. First, the songs. Are they as standalone, poppy and infectious as last time? Perhaps not. but in terms of tying with the movie's plot, it has a subtle but effective atmosphere that remains memorable. From the uplifting rally number, the great use of chanting and drums in its opening, the smackdown of Acadca, the marvelous villain song Unleash the Magic which could comfortably be in a Disney movie, and my favorite What More is Out There, which feels like a princess's "I Want" Song with jaw-dropping high notes and violin. The bgm also deserves praise, Twilight and Sunset share memorable swirling string motifs, lowering and darkening in dramatic moments, fast and high in the climax, an electronic tint in her investigating scenes, and full and harmonious during the climax. As for the conflict itself, the Friendship Games allow more consistent action than the previous two, and has some utterly fantastic lines of comedic snark and interplay by the Mane Five and Shadowbolts. With growing tension as Twilight's device creates portals/absorbing magic, the movie does a good job keeping viewer interest before and during the games. Now for the villains, which makes or breaks the film for most. Principle Cinch is hammy to a hilarious degree, with many cartoonishly vile traits that makes the audience despise her, Twilight's own insecurities made worse by her actions made me Love to Hate her. Unsubtle to be sure, but villains don't always need to be, and personally entertained. The Shadowbolts are serviceable. They have enough glimpses of personality that we can grasp their roles. Admittedly I'd like to see more of them, they themselves, Principle Cinch even, weren't the real antagonists. Twilight's lonely state, leaving only her curiosity as motivation, becomes the cruel Midnight Sparkle. But with Sunset's empathy,she finds a helping hand in a sweet, joyful finale.