... the implications of which I'll leave for you to decide.
Now, when I say favorite, I make no claims to this being objectively the best-paced or best-written of the EG films, but it is the only one I'd ever voluntarily rewatch. The overall product is still hamstrung by many of its predecessors' problems and limitations, but the individual elements are much more memorable this time.
For one thing - the Shadowbolts. The lower stakes lets them handily dodge Generic Doomsday Villain territory, and if all that does is push them into Opposing Sports Team cliches instead... well, at least an all-female one of those is relatively fresh, and the designs aren't half-bad either. Meanwhile, Principal Cinch isn't exactly a groundbreaking Big Bad, but her icy dignity definitely sets her apart from the competition, and her philosophy - that reputation matters more than reality - is a surprisingly mature and realistic theme for this series. And ye gods, can she sing.
Which leads me to this movie's second big strength: the songs. By which I pretty much just mean "ACADECA" and "Unleash the Magic" (hey, it's still two more songs than Rainbow Rocks ever managed to worm into my ears). The latter especially is something I can see myself listening to for days on end - the melody is that catchy, the theme of Twilight's corruption is like catnip to me, and Cinch's singing voice makes even the weakest lyrics fly. The former, admittedly, I like largely for the visuals.
(Speaking of, the visual gags in this movie have definitely been stepped up. The entire Home Ec bit in "ACADECA", especially, is pure gold.)
So, what are big letdowns? The plot, when all's said and done, isn't really much different from the previous two movies'. The Humane Five are still too bland for my tastes, and while Sunset Shimmer partly escapes this (even reformed, it's clear she's more aggressive and short-fused than Twilight), her motivations felt muddled and weak at best, leaving her big blowup with Sci-Twi feeling artificial. As for Sci-Twi herself... a mixed bag, arguably more hits than misses, but the "Midnight Sparkle" design was pure Narm.
Buuut to end on one last positive... at least I didn't want to strangle human!Celestia and human!Luna this time.
Easily my favorite EG movie so far...
... the implications of which I'll leave for you to decide.
Now, when I say favorite, I make no claims to this being objectively the best-paced or best-written of the EG films, but it is the only one I'd ever voluntarily rewatch. The overall product is still hamstrung by many of its predecessors' problems and limitations, but the individual elements are much more memorable this time.
For one thing - the Shadowbolts. The lower stakes lets them handily dodge Generic Doomsday Villain territory, and if all that does is push them into Opposing Sports Team cliches instead... well, at least an all-female one of those is relatively fresh, and the designs aren't half-bad either. Meanwhile, Principal Cinch isn't exactly a groundbreaking Big Bad, but her icy dignity definitely sets her apart from the competition, and her philosophy - that reputation matters more than reality - is a surprisingly mature and realistic theme for this series. And ye gods, can she sing.
Which leads me to this movie's second big strength: the songs. By which I pretty much just mean "ACADECA" and "Unleash the Magic" (hey, it's still two more songs than Rainbow Rocks ever managed to worm into my ears). The latter especially is something I can see myself listening to for days on end - the melody is that catchy, the theme of Twilight's corruption is like catnip to me, and Cinch's singing voice makes even the weakest lyrics fly. The former, admittedly, I like largely for the visuals.
(Speaking of, the visual gags in this movie have definitely been stepped up. The entire Home Ec bit in "ACADECA", especially, is pure gold.)
So, what are big letdowns? The plot, when all's said and done, isn't really much different from the previous two movies'. The Humane Five are still too bland for my tastes, and while Sunset Shimmer partly escapes this (even reformed, it's clear she's more aggressive and short-fused than Twilight), her motivations felt muddled and weak at best, leaving her big blowup with Sci-Twi feeling artificial. As for Sci-Twi herself... a mixed bag, arguably more hits than misses, but the "Midnight Sparkle" design was pure Narm.
Buuut to end on one last positive... at least I didn't want to strangle human!Celestia and human!Luna this time.