After 20 something years spanning generations of MLP, 9 seasons forging Friendship is Magic, I just don't get where the breakdown in communication happened that would cause the rift between the three types of ponies (once again sea ponies get ignored lol). Opening with the classic group of Twilght, AJ, pinkie pie, rainbow dash, fluttershy, and rarity- we get that this new generation KNOWS they existed, but why aren't the elders explaining the history? Was there a war? A new villain? What happened that the crystals got separated? No background or timeframe on how we got here. It's very disappointing that "friendship is magic" just dissolved without explanation for a lifelong fan. Especially when they flat out acknowledge the last gen ponies. I appreciate they paid hommage to them, I would have been way more upset if they left them out completely.
That said... ignoring that nagging bit of missing storyline... the movie was fun! Vibrant! Cute songs, great voice acting! I genuinely enjoyed it! Kids wanted me to watch it and I was a little against "new generation" wanting to hold on to what I know, but I sincerely had a good time watching it. I was hoping the end would give us a nod to the history of how things fell apart but still nope. I was surprised that Sunny just gets to be an alicorn after a 2-3 day adventure when it took twilight almost a decade lol-but without her the magic of friendship wouldn't have been restored so I guess I'm ok with it. I feel like they could have elaborated on why the earth ponies were the "keepers" of the crystals for the unicorns and pegasus, which would have helped with the missing history, especially how her dad seemed to know the truth and was trying to ensure he passed it on to sunny, they lived in the lighthouse after all, it would have been a great place to insert some answers. But overall likable characters, lessons learned, friendships forged. So if this new gen expands I will continue to be a fan and see where it goes .
That said... ignoring that nagging bit of missing storyline... the movie was fun! Vibrant! Cute songs, great voice acting! I genuinely enjoyed it! Kids wanted me to watch it and I was a little against "new generation" wanting to hold on to what I know, but I sincerely had a good time watching it. I was hoping the end would give us a nod to the history of how things fell apart but still nope. I was surprised that Sunny just gets to be an alicorn after a 2-3 day adventure when it took twilight almost a decade lol-but without her the magic of friendship wouldn't have been restored so I guess I'm ok with it. I feel like they could have elaborated on why the earth ponies were the "keepers" of the crystals for the unicorns and pegasus, which would have helped with the missing history, especially how her dad seemed to know the truth and was trying to ensure he passed it on to sunny, they lived in the lighthouse after all, it would have been a great place to insert some answers. But overall likable characters, lessons learned, friendships forged. So if this new gen expands I will continue to be a fan and see where it goes .