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The nostalgia has been erased in a revamp of the 1980s classic My Little Pony with the once-fanciful characters now pushing progressive political messages and the villains described as “anti-science.”
Netflix’s My Little Pony: A New Generation Awakens introduces its young viewers to themes of tolerance, prejudice, and even fascism by turning colorful little horses into political pawns.
The film portrays anti-magical ponies – the “bad guys” – as ignorant, anti-science creatures who can spread irrational fear and untruths.
It also includes an appearance by a character called Deputy Sprout – with a tuft of blonde mane and bushy eyebrows – who is portrayed as the antagonist.
The authorized and spoiled pony adopts a fanatic attitude towards the unicorns and the Pegasus, and goes into battle against them. Later, he atones for his raging ways after losing the battle against his magical enemies, who have surpassed him with their friendly and harmonious ways.
Clever critics say messages in the film are applicable beyond Equestria
Pipp Petals (above) is one of the characters featured in My Little Pony: The Next Generation
The demagogue character stands in stark contrast to the cheerful Sunny (voiced by Vanessa Hudgens), a curious and optimistic animal who wants to restore harmony and magic to Equestria.
The film’s heroine strives to make peace with strangers and teams up with others in an effort to bring about a more impactful change.
It also includes a cameo of a character called Deputy Sprout – with a tuft of blonde mane and bushy eyebrows – who is portrayed as the antagonist.
“I think it really reflects the times,” Hudgens told ABC 6. “My character believes in inclusion and friendship.”
Kimiko Glenn, who voiced the good unicorn Izzy, agreed.
“It’s such a sweet little message to remember,” Glenn told the outlet. “Until you get to know someone, you can’t tell how they actually live. We thrive when we come together. This is an important message.
The film was largely a hit with viewers and has a score of 9/10 on imdb.com.
But some critics have said they are missing the elements that made the series special in the 1980s.
“As someone who grew up with the old my little pony (which I really enjoyed),” said one reviewer. “I knew (and loved) the main characters… but now they’ve added characters like pip petals. WHO THE H *** IS PIPP PETALS ???? “I feel like they erased my childhood and replaced it with this new ‘improved’ show. I wouldn’t recommend this show at all.
Sunny’s cheerful demeanor helps him unify a Divided Equestria
Ponies like Hitch and Sunny go through sad times as they battle angry anti-magical believers
For those wondering, Pip Peddals is a Pegasus pony who loves to sing and doesn’t always think about the consequences of his actions.
Netflix said the clearly fictional film portrays a divided nation.
“Equestria is divided,” he said in the synopsis. “But a bright-eyed hero thinks land ponies, pegasus and unicorns should be friends – and, pied-à-terre, she’s determined to prove it.”
The Netflix movie appears to be following in the footsteps of Disney, who reinvented Belle as a feminist in Beauty in the Beast in 2017.
Variety praised the film for conveying positive messages to its viewers in the cartoon.
“Mistrust and hatred of unicorns and Pegasi is ingrained in the minds of the anthropomorphized equine population of Maretime Bay – and this prejudice has become widespread,” wrote reviewer Courtney Howard.
“Schools have erased the past from their history books and their main business venture, run by hawkish profiteer Phyllis Cloverleaf (Elizabeth Perkins), is based solely on fear of winged or horned ponies. Still, alien creatures have become a curiosity for the headstrong empath Sunny Starscout (Vanessa Hudgens) and her father Argyle (Michael McKean), both of whom believe in a path to understanding.
A New York Times reviewer says the film “sets the scene for a political awakening on tolerance, prejudice, even fascism – mellowed, of course, with musical numbers, cheeky gags and pastel perspectives.”
“Although generic (just this year, ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ depicts a similar treasure hunt aimed at bringing together diverse groups), the film’s message of unity and the need for a new generation to unite against misinformation and commotion by the populace is “t the worst thing,” one reads.
At the same time, parents might enjoy the film’s surprisingly unsubtle references to American politics – something to numb the pain of watching another ‘My Little Pony’ movie, which kids will ask if you (or I ) like it or not. ‘
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