The princess ponies of Equestria are preparing for a major
festival to celebrate friendship. Princess Twilight Sparkle, perhaps the
friendliest pony, is nervously making arrangements for the fetival, which will
feature a performance by Sia-voiced Songbird Serenade. Before the festivities
can get fully underway, Tempest Shadow arrives and proclaims victory for the
Storm King. Tempest Shadow captures all of the princesses with the exception of
Twilight Sparkle and a few of her friends. Now, Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash,
Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Spike the Dragon set off in an
attempt to find the help they need to rescue their captured friends.
** SPOILERS AHEAD THE REST OF THE WAY **
The Adoption
Connection
There is no mention of adoption in My Little Pony: The
Movie. Some kids may relate to Tempest Shadow, who only turned against the
ponies of Equestria when she was shunned by them for having a broken horn. Kids
are often mean to each other, and hurt feelings and feelings of rejection can
be expressed in negative ways. I was happy to see Twilight Sparkle develop
empathy for Tempest; that empathy opened the way for Tempest to rejoin the community
of ponies. Tempest also reveals that she hasn’t been called by her real name –
which is a much friendlier name which fits with the other Pony names (it’s
Fizzlepop Berrytwist, which Pinkie Pie immediately dubs “The most awesome name
ever.”
Strong Points
Twilight Sparkle has loyal, supportive friends. Even though
she hurts her friends’ feelings, they are there for her. When she is worried
about putting together the music festival, they sing supportively, “You’ve got
this! We’ve got this together!”
Nearly all of the villains become heroes by the end of the
story. We also understand the motivation of many of the characters who initially
oppose the ponies; one is trying to pay off a dangerous debt, others have been
conscripted into the service of the Storm King, another tries to regain her
lost honor. Each has a change of heart.
When Twilight Sparkle hears Tempest’s story of being
rejected, she shows great empathy, and expresses, “I’m so sorry you felt so
alone.”
Twilight Sparkle reflects on her unkind words towards her
friends, and says “Friendship didn’t fail me; I failed friendship.”
Challenges
The Storm King manipulates Tempest, promising to restore her
horn in exchange for her work in securing him ultimate power. He intends to deceive
and betray her, however.
When Twilight Sparkle and her friends reach the Hippogriffs,
they are initially denied help. When Twilight Sparkle tries to steal an item
that would help defeat the Storm King, the Queen of the Hippogriffs sends her
away and does not intend to help her.
Recommendations
My Little Pony: The Movie is a kid-friendly and surprisingly
positive musical adventure. It does not relate directly to adoption, but it
does explore fights between friends, loyalty, and feelings of rejection. There’s
more interpersonal insight in this film than I expected. It seems like a safe
choice for kids ages 4 and up.
Questions for
Discussion
Would you have trusted Capper? How could you know whether he
was safe to trust?
Why couldn’t Pinkie Pie talk to Twilight Sparkle after
Twilight Sparkle hurt her feelings? How long do you think it took Pinkie Pie to
forgive Twilight Sparkle?
Have any friends said something that really hurt your
feelings? How did you get better? Has a
friend ever had hurt feelings because of something you said? How did that get
better?
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