In 1984, Hasbro worked with Marvel Productions and Sunbow Productions to create a pair of half-hour TV specials based on their toy line. At this tentative stage, they were simply testing the waters to see if anyone would be willing to sit through a televised program starring the pastel-colored equines running through fields, playing, dancing, singing, and battling the force of Apocalyptic evil. Release April 14th, 1984, it aired in Prime Time.
An evil tyrant requires four ponies to transform into dragons to pull his chariot so that he can fly through the skies and rein in The Night That Never Ends and take over the world. So the ponies team up with a 10-12 year old girl named Megan Williams to stop him. Better than it sounds.
The story is solid, if a little clichéd. We've seen Evil Overords try to Take Over The Earth, and can only be stopped by a Ragtag Bunch Of Misfits with their Super-Special Items a million times before. Then again, it wasn't meant to be ground-breaking in any regard. It did what it was supposed it to well as a fun little fantasy-adventure.
It does have its flaws. A half-hour it held back a lot. As is it, the villain only gets a chance to shine a few times. The journey to his castle is also less than spectacular. It's literally an afternoon stroll away with hardly any obstacles along the way (the worse being completely accidental). Obtaining the Super-Special Item needed to defeat The Big Bad is literally just handed to the heroes because they didn't have enough time to crawl their way through a dungeon or temple to get it.
With that in mind, it certainly had its strengths which do outweigh its weaknesses. The special had atmosphere and the audience feels as though there is something at stake at all times. Its villain had a very commanding presence and the nastiness to back to it up. The henchman are also decently competent, which is a nice break from the norm.
The characters weren't deep, but their personalities are concisely written distinguishable. Firefly is a head-strong daredevil tomboy. Medley is reserved and cautious. Twilight is motherly and supportive. Bow-Tie is level-headed and takes charge. Applejack is awkward and clumsy. Amber wants to grow up quickly. Megan is inexperienced and unsure of herself, but sincere and brave. Spike is naive and excitable.
The animation for this special was actually pretty solid. It was nothing wowing, but it actually had some care put into. The ponies moved fairly realistically and they were designed to look a lot like actual ponies. A handful of inspired designs also help give the look of the special an edge as well.
The music and songs are fairly stock for the medium, but were by no means terrible. The songs were more memorable than the score though, and quite enjoyable. My picks from the songs would have to be "Dancing On Air" and "A Little Piece of Rainbow", sang by Sandy Duncan and Tony Randall respectively, because Sandy Duncan and Tony Randall. Come on. Sandy Duncan and Tony Randall.
The voice acting was well done over as well, with standout performances from Sandy Duncan, Tony Randall, and Ron Taylor with the rest ranging from Really Good-to-Decent. I in particular took a liking to Bow-tie's voice.
Final Conclusion: It was good. Pretty stock in many cases, but some inspired writing, designs, and performances raised it just a notch above the standard norm of early-mid 80s TV animation. To this day, My Little Pony: Rescue at Midnight Castle remains a cult classic among fans of the franchise and fans of 80s animation in general and rightfully so. Give it try, if you haven't yet. I think this TV special just might surprise you.
An evil tyrant requires four ponies to transform into dragons to pull his chariot so that he can fly through the skies and rein in The Night That Never Ends and take over the world. So the ponies team up with a 10-12 year old girl named Megan Williams to stop him. Better than it sounds.
The story is solid, if a little clichéd. We've seen Evil Overords try to Take Over The Earth, and can only be stopped by a Ragtag Bunch Of Misfits with their Super-Special Items a million times before. Then again, it wasn't meant to be ground-breaking in any regard. It did what it was supposed it to well as a fun little fantasy-adventure.
It does have its flaws. A half-hour it held back a lot. As is it, the villain only gets a chance to shine a few times. The journey to his castle is also less than spectacular. It's literally an afternoon stroll away with hardly any obstacles along the way (the worse being completely accidental). Obtaining the Super-Special Item needed to defeat The Big Bad is literally just handed to the heroes because they didn't have enough time to crawl their way through a dungeon or temple to get it.
With that in mind, it certainly had its strengths which do outweigh its weaknesses. The special had atmosphere and the audience feels as though there is something at stake at all times. Its villain had a very commanding presence and the nastiness to back to it up. The henchman are also decently competent, which is a nice break from the norm.
The characters weren't deep, but their personalities are concisely written distinguishable. Firefly is a head-strong daredevil tomboy. Medley is reserved and cautious. Twilight is motherly and supportive. Bow-Tie is level-headed and takes charge. Applejack is awkward and clumsy. Amber wants to grow up quickly. Megan is inexperienced and unsure of herself, but sincere and brave. Spike is naive and excitable.
The animation for this special was actually pretty solid. It was nothing wowing, but it actually had some care put into. The ponies moved fairly realistically and they were designed to look a lot like actual ponies. A handful of inspired designs also help give the look of the special an edge as well.
The music and songs are fairly stock for the medium, but were by no means terrible. The songs were more memorable than the score though, and quite enjoyable. My picks from the songs would have to be "Dancing On Air" and "A Little Piece of Rainbow", sang by Sandy Duncan and Tony Randall respectively, because Sandy Duncan and Tony Randall. Come on. Sandy Duncan and Tony Randall.
The voice acting was well done over as well, with standout performances from Sandy Duncan, Tony Randall, and Ron Taylor with the rest ranging from Really Good-to-Decent. I in particular took a liking to Bow-tie's voice.
Final Conclusion: It was good. Pretty stock in many cases, but some inspired writing, designs, and performances raised it just a notch above the standard norm of early-mid 80s TV animation. To this day, My Little Pony: Rescue at Midnight Castle remains a cult classic among fans of the franchise and fans of 80s animation in general and rightfully so. Give it try, if you haven't yet. I think this TV special just might surprise you.
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