(also sorry for the rough quality— I have a lot of WIPs on my plate and wanted to pump this out the same day of the movie release)
SPOILERS BELOW!
Just for the sake of it, I'm going to get the complaints out of the way first. Don't get me wrong, I thought this movie was nothing short of adorable. I understand that it had to be wrapped up quickly cuz y'know.. it's a movie and not every single universal element could be explored. BUT C'MON the sun and moon rising and setting on their own?? When it was SUCH a huge deal in G4? I don't think so bestie. Normally I wouldn't complain about something as trivial as the motion of celestial bodies in other TV shows, and I don't think I'd complain about it in this one IF G5 didn't clearly establish that it was post-MLFIM.
Another complaint is that the overall message- addressing racism- felt very watered down. Sprout and his momma didn't face any repercussions and I don't even think they apologized? Sprout didn't even get a slap on the "wrist" from anypony , just a "Oh look a flying dog!"
I particularly wasn't fond of Sunny earning an alicorn status? That might just be a more nit-picky thing because I'm pretty sure Cadence earned her horn by teaching a town how to love, so why not give Sunny wings for bringing the pony races together? Idk just felt a little too easy, but good for her.
I thought it was funny how quickly everyone became friends and decided to trust one another, especially Izzy and Sunny.
Though I don't really find the need to ship anyone in the show (they all felt a little young to me? Like late teens except for Hitch and Zipp, but maybe it's just me), I do think that Izzy and Sunny would make the cutest couple of the bunch. They would most definitely go on smoothie dates together, courtesy of Sunny.
But overall, it was extremely satisfying to see the world of Equestria on screen again, even more so that it was animated in 3d. Despite all the nitpicky complaints I have, I really did like the movie. A LOT. After watching, I was giggling about how cute it was— how could I not smile? Even though G4 didn't end all that long ago, it felt nostalgic, as if the creators knew that they were serving fans of the previous generation something they were longing to see— and all the while, still tailoring a new story intended for a new wave of fans.
but the journal should have been Twilight's book, that's such a missed opportunity UGH