Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
John de Lancie | ... | Self / Professor Pony / Discord | |
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Alex Tibcken | ... | Self |
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Tim Star | ... | Self (as Starlight Ironhoof) |
Lauren Faust | ... | Self | |
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Lyle Gilpatrick | ... | Self |
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Jeanne Gilpatrick | ... | Self |
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Tom Gilpatrick | ... | Self |
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Yoav Landau | ... | Self / The Living Tombstone (as The Living Tombstone) |
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S.R. Foxley | ... | Self (as SR Foxley) |
Tara Strong | ... | Self / Tara Strong Pony / Twilight Sparkle | |
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Jeffrey Wells | ... | Self |
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Daniel Richards | ... | Self |
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Kim Richards | ... | Self |
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Benjamin Meyer | ... | Self |
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Nadine Neumann | ... | Self |
In 2010, producer Lauren Faust reworked the notoriously sexist My Little Pony franchise to attempt a quality TV series for both girls and their parents to enjoy, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. As it turns out, Faust succeeded beyond anyone's expectations with an acclaimed hit that also created an adult and teen male fandom no one saw coming, the Bronies. This film explores this following with a look at the franchise, the lives of particular fans around the world and the creative passions their seemingly unusual interest inspires. Although sometimes troubled by the prejudice of others, these kindred spirits enjoy a community experience both in spirit and at conventions that has a special magic all its own. Written by Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com)
My biggest disappointment is that this film isn't at all funny.
It's primary reason for existing seems to be to proselytize the virtues of the cartoon and justify the reasons grown men are fascinated by it. If you aren't a brony, you aren't going to find much in this film, because it doesn't have a sense of humor about itself.
There is room in the market for a film like this, and because it was for a group of fans that seem a bit obsessive, it will probably make a profit. I can't really say it shouldn't have been made, simply that it does not speak to a broader audience.
The one thing that I did take away from the documentary was that even simple stories, if made with quality, can find an audience. People that have trouble relating to one another and develop real world friendships find a lot to love about a show that explains why friendship is magical. At least that's what I saw as the plot of this film.
Okay, now why the summary headline. . . I found this movie a bit disturbing for one main reason. Every My Little Pony obsessed man in this film felt they needed to tell us "I'm not gay." Like that makes their passion socially acceptable. They might as well be saying, "Sure, I like pink unicorns, but it's not like I like men! THAT would make me weird a pariah!" It's a rather homophobic view, in my opinion, and totally undermines the movie's supposed message of acceptance.
So it's not entertaining, particularly educational, or social conscious, but if you obsessively collect everything with a pony on it, you'll probably like it.