Like many cinematic universes so called phases, My Little Pony has come in stages. My Little Pony: A New Generation is the latest adventure based on Hasbro’s toy range created over 35 years ago. Its become one of the company’s biggest brands on toy shelves around the world, so with this latest interpretation of the franchise now in its fifth generation takes off as a fully CGI standalone film on Netflix. 

Set in the same world and years after the events of the Friendship is Magic series, A New Generation shows that Earth ponies, Unicorns, and Pegasi all live in fear of each other. But one earth pony Sunny voiced by Vanessa Hudgens has been raised differently and believes that the different species can be trusted, and she wants to build bridges so that they can all be friends again. However when a young unicorn, Izzy (Kimiko Glenn) , turns up in Maretime Bay, Sunny helps her escape. Going against her community, including childhood-friends-turned- local-law-enforcement Hitch (James Marsden) and Sprout (Ken Jeong), Sunny sets out with Izzy to contact the Pegasus community. There, they befriend Princess Zipp (Liza Koshy) and Pipp (Sofia Carson) and start to unravel the story behind the separation of the various pony communities. 

The new generation of Ponies set out on an adventure to prove that friendship is for every pony. this is my introduction to the franchise which seems to be a new renaissance for My Little Pony, but all jokes aside it truly was a lot of fun. It’s full of colour and positivity with themes of overcoming your fears and overall the powerful magic of friendship. You could also easily see the political messages in this film, however the target audience aka the young viewers will skip past that and enjoy the sweet characters and sparkly tone and songs featured in the film. 

Speaking of music, many of the songs find parallels with real life as the New Generation characters sing about welcoming others rather than building walls as a marching mob of ponies brainlessly out of fear follow their leader. Another aspect shows how a sheriff’s badge creates an unhealthy power dynamic. The film never gets too heavy as we are in Equestria, with its visually rich magical settings, heart and humour and great music. 

The star-studded voice cast truly bring these ponies alive. Vanessa Hudgens, Kimiko Glenn, James Marsden, Sofia Carson, Liza Koshy, Elizabeth Perkins, Jane Krakowski, Phil LaMarr, Michael McKean and Ken Jeong make up an impressive cast that performs a variety of songs ranging from edgy rock tunes to full on Broadway showstoppers. 

The animation is magical as the filmmakers have brought these Ponies into the CG world for the first time. They have built a colourful and modern take as each pony is given the same amount of care, making them look unique from one another, they’re very expressive thanks to the animators.

There’s tons of details that make the film aesthetically pleasing, such as the gold marbled city where the pegasus’ live to the old lighthouse that’s home to Sunny overlooking Maretime Bay. It’s also filled to the brim with product placements but with a pony twist. For example the film advertises Judgment Neigh, complete with an Arnold Schwarzenegger Terminator inspired unicorn.

My Little Pony: A New Generation is surprisingly pleasing to the eyes and young children no doubt will especially enjoy it.

What If…?  is the latest Marvel Studios project to arrive on our small screens on Disney +.

The animated anthology series, created by Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia writer A.C. Bradley and Marvel vet Bryan Andrews flips the script on the MCU as following the creation of the multiverse in Loki’s first season finale, What If…? reimagines famous events from the films in unexpected ways.

What If..? is back with a brand new episode, for weeks we’ve been left sobbing and emotionally drained from watching our favourite MCU heroes suffer devastation after devastation. Following Killmonger’s rise to power last week, episode 7 puts Thor in the spotlight and certainly takes an upbeat approach, imagining what would have happed if Odin returned baby Loki to the Frost Giants and thus making Thor grow up as an only child, though no mention of her Majesty Cate Blanchett aka Hela The goddess of Death. 

More than battles won or lost, it’s relationships that truly define a hero. The people who shape them, their stories. Thor and Loki, a brotherhood so strong and pivotal, it would change the fate of a universe. Their childhood taught Thor many lessons. But in another universe, instead of raising the Jotunheim prince, Loki, as his own son, Odin returned him to his people. Without his trickster brother to keep things, let’s say, lively, Thor grew into a very different prince

The watcher

What If… Thor Were an Only Child?

Synopsis

Thor, who never learned to be a good hero, throws an out of control intergalactic party on Earth.

Marvel’s What If [Disney +]

Review

This was such a fun episode as it made me laugh from beginning to end. It also ends with an excellent cliffhanger, which seems to be setting up the epic finale. 

In this alternate Universe growing up without a pivotal relationship can really affect you as without Loki, Thor becomes a reckless Party Prince with a bad boy attitude. And when his father falls into Odinsleep and his mother Frigga goes away, Thor’s arrogance simply continues to grow as he decides to throw a huge party on Midgard aka Earth, where he believes Heimdall won’t be able to detect him. 

Marvel’s What If [Disney +]

Inviting all from the Nine Realms, he creates the biggest party ever witnessed on Earth. Many easter eggs and cameos appear thanks to the original actors voicing their characters. The standouts being Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, and Kat Dennings.

Also voicing their characters are Samuel L. Jackson, Cobie Smulders, Clark Gregg, Frank Grillo, Taika Waititi, Karen Gillan, Jaimie Alexander, Seth Green and Jeff Goldblum fabulously returning as the Grandmaster. 

Prince Loki of Jotunheim arrives in Las Vegas to join Thor’s party. He certainly towers over Thor and the other partygoers in his frost giant form.

With Thor taking over Earth with all his party-going antics, S.H.I.E.L.D step in to rain on his parade. Maria Hill uses Jane and Darcy to stop Thor however Jane hooks up with the God of Thunder, so Hill eventually calls upon someone with a bit more firepower, Captain Marvel. 

Both go head-to-head which creates an epic showdown with plenty of thunder and Lightning. But ultimately in the end there’s one relatable thing that does manage to stop Thor, his mother. Frigga who after being sought out by Jane arrives in the nick of time. 

Marvel’s What If [Disney +]

Her arrival prompts Thor to clean up his act, he enlists the help of his party guests to clean up Earth. As the episode comes to an end it shows that Thor and Jane’s relationship develops further as they both agree to go on a date. However there’s one thing The Watcher didn’t see, That Cliffhanger. Overall Episode 7 is a jam-packed one with delightful and crazy moments. 

Genre:

Release Date:

October, 2021

Director:

Matt Peters

Cast:

Gillian Jacobs, Anson Mount, Laura Bailey, Oliver Hudson, Kevin Pollack, Justin Hartley, Janet Varney, Anika Noni Rose

Plot Summary:

On an alternate Earth, the Joker tricks Superman into killing Lois Lane, which causes a rampage in the hero. Superman decides to take control of Earth, Batman and his allies will have to attempt to stop him.