'My Little Pony: Pony Life': "Planet of the Apps"/"Back to the Present" (2021)
Opening thoughts: Wasn't all that enthralled by the premise for "Planet of the Apps", which was another 'My Little Pony: Pony Life' episode centered around technology. Which is something that the show has not done well with on the whole. While far from an original one, the premise for "Back to the Present" was a more appealing one than most for the show. Was really hoping that the episode would continue the big improvement seen with the previous Season 2 episodes, two that were actually halfway decent and surprisingly none of them were mediocre or less. It t is sad to say that with "Planet of the Apps"/"Back to the Present" it felt like the improvement had not happened. It is not terrible and "Back to the Present" is reasonably watchable, plus it is never anywhere near as bad as the worst of Season 1. It is a pretty lacklustre outing though, and "Planet of the Apps" is further proof that 'My Little Pony' and modern technology do not mix very well.
Good things: The voice work is energetic and nuanced as was the case throughout the run, even in the worst episodes.
"Back to the Present" did a few mildly amusing moments and also moments of creative visuals and nice character moments that felt in character and not reliant on exaggerated flaws.
Bad things: Good things that were all too far and between. "Planet of the Apps" really didn't work, with too much of an over-reliance on apps and technology. None of it inventive or clever, actually found it all very tired, gimmicky and repetitive, with the humour being even more contrived, and while the subject (not an appealing one in the first place) is relevant the content already has an out of date feel. Rainbow Dash comes over as bland as well as over zealous. The chemistry between her and Twilight (who is personality free pretty much) is more friction than friendship and they don't gel enough together.
Moreover, the animation is unimaginative and also is rushed and careless looking throughout. Indicative of rushed deadlines and low budget. The music is like cheesy high school quality and never fits with what goes on and the the theme tune is grating. Apart from some moments in "Back to the Present", the humour is too forced and juvenile as well as too far and between. On the whole, the stories are predictable and unimaginative, as well as paper thin in "Planet of the Apps". After 'Friendship is Magic' did so well breaking away from the "only for primary school period girls" stereotypes wrongly associated with the franchise for so long, the characters come over as dumbed down stereotypes with that target audience stereotype being reinforced. The Mane 6 don't have much chemistry together.
Closing thoughts: Overall, mediocre.
4/10.
Opening thoughts: Wasn't all that enthralled by the premise for "Planet of the Apps", which was another 'My Little Pony: Pony Life' episode centered around technology. Which is something that the show has not done well with on the whole. While far from an original one, the premise for "Back to the Present" was a more appealing one than most for the show. Was really hoping that the episode would continue the big improvement seen with the previous Season 2 episodes, two that were actually halfway decent and surprisingly none of them were mediocre or less. It t is sad to say that with "Planet of the Apps"/"Back to the Present" it felt like the improvement had not happened. It is not terrible and "Back to the Present" is reasonably watchable, plus it is never anywhere near as bad as the worst of Season 1. It is a pretty lacklustre outing though, and "Planet of the Apps" is further proof that 'My Little Pony' and modern technology do not mix very well.
Good things: The voice work is energetic and nuanced as was the case throughout the run, even in the worst episodes.
"Back to the Present" did a few mildly amusing moments and also moments of creative visuals and nice character moments that felt in character and not reliant on exaggerated flaws.
Bad things: Good things that were all too far and between. "Planet of the Apps" really didn't work, with too much of an over-reliance on apps and technology. None of it inventive or clever, actually found it all very tired, gimmicky and repetitive, with the humour being even more contrived, and while the subject (not an appealing one in the first place) is relevant the content already has an out of date feel. Rainbow Dash comes over as bland as well as over zealous. The chemistry between her and Twilight (who is personality free pretty much) is more friction than friendship and they don't gel enough together.
Moreover, the animation is unimaginative and also is rushed and careless looking throughout. Indicative of rushed deadlines and low budget. The music is like cheesy high school quality and never fits with what goes on and the the theme tune is grating. Apart from some moments in "Back to the Present", the humour is too forced and juvenile as well as too far and between. On the whole, the stories are predictable and unimaginative, as well as paper thin in "Planet of the Apps". After 'Friendship is Magic' did so well breaking away from the "only for primary school period girls" stereotypes wrongly associated with the franchise for so long, the characters come over as dumbed down stereotypes with that target audience stereotype being reinforced. The Mane 6 don't have much chemistry together.
Closing thoughts: Overall, mediocre.
4/10.