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MalimarTheMage — Sunset Shimmer (SPOILERS)

#equestrian #fim #girls #mlp #rainbow #rocks #shimmer #sunset
Published: 2014-10-08 06:10:57 +0000 UTC; Views: 4821; Favourites: 201; Downloads: 68
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Well, as my fellow FIM fans know, Equestria Girls 2: Rainbow Rocks premiered last week. Since I discussed the first movie last year, I’ll be discussing this one here too but more on that later. I made this both because I rather liked the movie and to practice using my new Copic markers again. I’ve been busy and I’ve only just now finished it though. There were some nice little drawings of the main characters in the end credits and I emulated their style here somewhat while referencing ’s art for the coloring.

I was going to draw the Dazzlings (the villains), but then I realized that I more appreciated how the film handled Sunset Shimmer.

 

Now, I won’t be discussing Rainbow Rocks in any great depth here but I am going to mention some things that might count as spoilers. So be warned.

I will try not to ramble too much.

That being said, while Sunset was a flat character in the first movie and her reformation was pretty sudden, I really liked how she was portrayed in this film. Much like Princess Luna, she was actually given some personality and attention after her initial appearance and wasn’t just another one-shot villain. I found myself actually sympathizing with her. She was genuinely regretful for her actions and was given some resolution and development as a character. It felt like she’s the main protagonist of the film more than Twilight because of this. And this makes sense since Sunset was portrayed sort of a mirror-image of Twilight in the first film. As such, she is very similar both in skills and background, providing some good moments of reflection and parallels throughout the movie.

 

Now for the actual movie.

Firstly, I would like to point out that while many other fans may disapprove of the idea of Equestria girls (i.e. humanizing the pony characters and placing them in a high school setting), I do not. Despite the first film (Equestria Girls) being fairly average I do not dislike it. I didn’t dislike it when I first saw it and I don’t dislike it now, even after watching these videos www.youtube.com/playlist?list=… which point out every one of its flaws in great detail. And while Rainbow Rocks has its own faults (generally outlined here www.deviantart.com/art/Equestr… ), it felt a lot more successful than Equestria Girls…at least in terms of a cohesive narrative and character development/continuity. Excluding one or two moments, everything had a purpose. Even the music and songs were relevant to the story, which is unusual for this series.

From the protagonists, to the villains, to the songs and animation, I sincerely enjoyed and was impressed by this film.

 

I do agree that the idea of the Equestira Girls films is odd. However, while I still believe that they have no reason to exist in the first place, I am not upset that they do exist.
Maybe I’m just easy to please

_ _ _

 

Art © me.

Sunset Shimmer © Hasbro.

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Comments: 30

jacamontronic [2017-04-13 05:00:37 +0000 UTC]

Cool! I found a picture that was just like this and it was my phone wallpaper once

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RancisDaChocolate [2016-01-09 18:29:38 +0000 UTC]

The humanized version of MLP is the only version that's not lame.

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RedDiamond28 [2015-08-21 06:18:31 +0000 UTC]

She's my fave and has one of the most beautiful designs!

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AzazelRosenberg [2015-01-07 00:36:51 +0000 UTC]

Gorgeous coloring.

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MalimarTheMage In reply to AzazelRosenberg [2015-01-07 14:36:33 +0000 UTC]

Thanks.

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barney-nedward [2014-12-29 00:45:10 +0000 UTC]

I think hasbro should do a show that a true humanized version of FIM where everybody has realistic skintones but keeps their hair and eye colors and the colors of their coats become the colors of their clothes. humanized unicorns and alicorns would do magic with their hands or by wriggling their noses. Humanized pegasi and alicorns would still be able to fly even without wings (like Superman). The mane seven would probably be teens anway but the high school setting would be removed.

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MalimarTheMage In reply to barney-nedward [2014-12-29 04:05:29 +0000 UTC]

I do agree that some things could and should be changed about the current EQG, but I think at that point we might as well be watching normal FIM. It would be interesting, but I think it's too late to make any major changes without it being awkward. I'm okay with it as it is personally.

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barney-nedward In reply to MalimarTheMage [2014-12-29 04:08:41 +0000 UTC]

I'm not saying it replace EQG, I'm saying it should be an extra series.

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MalimarTheMage In reply to barney-nedward [2014-12-29 04:19:54 +0000 UTC]

It would still be awkward, either seeming unnecessary or out-of-nowhere.

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barney-nedward [2014-12-29 00:39:24 +0000 UTC]

I have a feeling that when Celestia dies and Twilight is forced to take her place, Sunset will be coronated herself and trained to one day take Luna's place should Luna die or fill Twilight's former role in Ponyville.

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barney-nedward [2014-12-29 00:35:33 +0000 UTC]

Wait did you intentionally color her with a more realistic skin tone?

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MalimarTheMage In reply to barney-nedward [2014-12-29 04:06:15 +0000 UTC]

I didn't have the right color yellow to use, so I had to use normal flesh tones.

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JeannetteHime [2014-10-10 12:36:47 +0000 UTC]

Me too...but as a human, she's a good looking red head/blonde. I wonder if the leather jacket makes her a bit slutty or cool?

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MalimarTheMage In reply to JeannetteHime [2014-10-10 13:54:37 +0000 UTC]

I'm not sure, and honestly I don't really assess characters in that way.

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JeannetteHime [2014-10-09 13:00:11 +0000 UTC]

Sunset sure looks sexy as a human. But when she was a talking filly, how did she acquire her cutie mark?

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MalimarTheMage In reply to JeannetteHime [2014-10-09 13:58:36 +0000 UTC]

I have no idea.

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Frenksdrawings [2014-10-09 01:22:01 +0000 UTC]

Hey! This is totally nice!

Good job!

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MalimarTheMage In reply to Frenksdrawings [2014-10-09 05:02:20 +0000 UTC]

Thanks

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KlarkKentThe3rd [2014-10-08 06:16:55 +0000 UTC]

Once again, someone doesn't like what I like. Someone I admire.

Life is difficult.

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MalimarTheMage In reply to KlarkKentThe3rd [2014-10-08 13:19:03 +0000 UTC]

Opinions differ As I said, I thought it was an improvement over the first film and it felt very much in line with the series in general. It does have flaws, but it's more or less harmless. What didn't you like about it?

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KlarkKentThe3rd In reply to MalimarTheMage [2014-10-08 13:53:42 +0000 UTC]

That, all of a sudden, Purplesmart becomes a teenager and goes to high school. It is one of the most forced usage of a fad I have seen recently. Imagine, if in Star Wars Episode 7, the aged cast goes through a portal, and, just like same, become teenagers and enroll in high school. How would people react to THAT?

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MalimarTheMage In reply to KlarkKentThe3rd [2014-10-08 14:19:14 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, which is why I said I don't think it should have existed in the first place. But it doesn't really interfere with my liking of the show. I actually think the idea has some potential, at least in terms of character interactions and presenting situations that normally could not happen in the main series. They haven't done that too much so far, but I felt Rainbow Rocks was a step in the right direction. I'm waiting for the spin-off series Equestria Academy for this reason.

Also, remember that the show is highly dictated by Hasbro, whose whole goal is to sell toys and merchandise. Unlike something like Star Wars, the writers don't have complete freedom to do what they want how they want. The show is a glorified commercial. That's something I feel has been a significant limitation for the series overall, but the writers have shown that they can work fairly well with what's given to them and I'm not pointing fingers for any oddities or slip-ups.

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KlarkKentThe3rd In reply to MalimarTheMage [2014-10-08 15:19:33 +0000 UTC]

I just hope that it STAYS a side story. Hasbro may have the legal right to tell the writers what to do, but the again, I do not believe and downright despise the laws we have.

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MalimarTheMage In reply to KlarkKentThe3rd [2014-10-08 15:43:21 +0000 UTC]

Even so, I'm a devoted enough fan at this point to check it out and will weather through any shortcomings that may arise. So far, nothing the show has thrown at us has been bad enough to warrant my abandoning of the series. It's not perfect and it has had its ups and downs. Nothing has fallen below the level of "average" in my opinion, but nothing has quite reached "amazing" either. But I can count on it to be consistently entertaining.

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KlarkKentThe3rd In reply to MalimarTheMage [2014-10-08 20:01:39 +0000 UTC]

Well, I ain't abandoning any show. Just ignoring what I find out-of-place and forced.

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MalimarTheMage In reply to KlarkKentThe3rd [2014-10-08 22:15:43 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, that's about all we can do. The production staff seem to be pretty aware of the fandom's attitude toward things, but I feel they're limited by Hasbro itself.

In fact (ronically) EQG was made in reaction to the fandom's enthusiasm for the show in the first place...or so I've understood. Maybe not you or me specifically, but we can only blame ourselves for its existence to some extent.
Most issues I have with the show (EQG included) aren't based on actual writing or continuity aspects more than merchandizing decisions mandated by Hasbro, which are usually the cause of many continuity issues to begin with. I feel that if Hasbro let up on the merchandizing a little, and if the show had a single person like Lauren directing everything again, maybe more faults could be avoided.

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KlarkKentThe3rd In reply to MalimarTheMage [2014-10-08 22:28:54 +0000 UTC]

Actually, EQG was made to compete with Monster High. Instead of creating a new IP and pay money, Hasbro took an established license because it was the most popular thing they had and it cost less that way. Lauren wasn't happy.

Darn, you write so much each time... reminds me of my failure of writing essays of the required length.

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MalimarTheMage In reply to KlarkKentThe3rd [2014-10-09 05:13:04 +0000 UTC]

That too, but I've read/heard that it was also because Hasbro wanted to cash in on fans' trend of humanizing ponies. I think it was stated in commentary on the first film's DVD. I'd have to watch it again.
I can imagine her disappointment, but I'm not very familiar with any of Lauren's opinions after she left... or even why she left the show at all! Do you?

Sorry. I like to be thorough and tend to make long-winded explanations.

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KlarkKentThe3rd In reply to MalimarTheMage [2014-10-09 05:42:20 +0000 UTC]

Actually, I just made a blog post elsewhere, and pretty sure it was about 1,000 words.

Anyways, Lauren left for two reasons: it was really hard for her to maintain a hectic schedule (she did a LOT in just a few years), and she had a personal problem (real life stuff). She knew the people (the writers, not the company) she left in her place were more than capable of keeping the show's writing at high quality level.

About a year after she left, she visited 4chan and made a lot of noise by doing so. She answered a lot of questions and clarified a lot of things. Among other work, Lauren did business with Fighting Is Magic devs, designing original characters for them (not ponies).

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MalimarTheMage In reply to KlarkKentThe3rd [2014-10-09 13:59:20 +0000 UTC]

I knew about about the Fighting Is Magic stuff, but not the heavy work load or personal stuff.

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