My Little Pony: The Movie—30th Anniversary

Following two earlier primetime specials, this 1986 feature film continues the strange and nonsensical—well, even more nonsensical than one would expect in a storyline featuring colorful talking ponies—adventures of the horses living in Dream Castle. The chipper equine gang is excited about preparations for the Spring Festival, but mean witch Hydia (voiced by Cloris Leachman) and her disgusting daughters Reeka and Draggle (Rhea Perlman, Madeline Kahn) are glowering in their Volcano of Doom home, thinking about ways to make things dark, dank, and dreary in order to cancel out all of the brightness and cheer that the ponies spread. The witches create a purple goo called “Smooze,” which turns everyone into meanies on contact. In addition, pushy baby pony Lickity Split has run away after ruining a dance routine, so the ponies have to stop Smooze and look for the wayward pony and her dragon pal Spike, tasks in which they are assisted by various woodland creatures, human friends, and other helpers (Danny DeVito and Tony Randall are also part of the voice cast). Featuring lame songs, dated animation, and a lackluster story, this 30th anniversary of the curio boasts little beyond nostalgic value. An optional purchase. Aud: P. (J. Williams-Wood)