Equestria Girls: Friendship Games Review & Parent Guide: A Christian Perspective on My Little Pony

In our Christian review of Equestria Girls: Friendship Games, we will explore the film from a Christian perspective. Our review also contains a parent guide.

Synopsis of Equestria Girls: Friendship Games

It’s time for the Friendship Games, a competitive event held every four years between Canterlot High and Crystal Prep. But, with unpredictable Equestrian magic remaining at Canterlot High, Sunset Shimmer must get it under control. Otherwise, Canterlot High may be accused of cheating.

To make matters more interesting, Canterlot High has a chance of winning the games for the first time—plus, their team spirit is stronger than ever! Will Sunset Shimmer be able to get the magic under control, and who is the mysterious figure investigating the portal to Equestria?

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Christian Review of Equestria Girls: Friendship Games

The third installment in the My Little Pony: Equestria Girls franchise, Friendship Games focuses on teamwork, good sportsmanship, and friendship. The film brings back beloved characters and introduces new ones as well.

In this review, we will explore Friendship Games from a Christian perspective, highlighting its virtues as well as potential concerns.

We learn very quickly that Sunset Shimmer is still facing the consequences of her actions in the first Equestria Girls film. The magic she brought from Equestria is unpredictable, and she’s tasked with getting it under control. However, someone else wants to understand the magic, too.

Returning Cast Members in Friendship Games

Ashleigh Ball (Apple Jack and Rainbow Dash), Andrea Libman (Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy), Rebecca Shoichet (Sunset Shimmer and the singing voice of Twilight), and Tabitha St. Germain (Rarity) reprise their roles.

This is the first Equestria Girls film where Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria does not appear. Instead, we are introduced to the Earth version of Twilight Sparkle. Of course, she has a pet dog named Spike.

Tara Strong and Cathy Wesluck return as Twilight and Spike, respectively. This time, however, they play the Earth counterparts of themselves.

The Earth version of Twilight desires to understand the magic at Canterlot High, leading to disastrous consequences.

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Princess Twilight’s Counterpart in Friendship Games

Essentially a counterpart of the Equestrian Princess Twilight, the Earth version of Twilight is, like her counterpart, focused on research and education.

Equestria Girls: Friendship Games: A Note on Twilight’s Name

To limit confusion, I will be referring to the Equestrian Twilight (the one in Friendship is Magic and the Twilight in the first two Equestria Girls films) as Princess Twilight, and the Earth version as simply “Twilight” or “Twilight Sparkle.” The Earth version is sometimes referred to as Sci-Twi, but I prefer Twilight more.

Twilight and Spike: A Constant Friendship

Twilight’s only friend is her pet dog, Spike. Twilight brings Spike to school even though her principal is allergic and tells her dean, Cadence, that Spike helps her with research.

In the first Equestria Girls film, Princess Twilight brings Spike along with her from Equestria and keeps him hidden (per Fluttershy’s recommendation since pets are not allowed at school). Though this detail might seem insignificant, it reveals not only both Twilights’ mutual connection with Spike, but also their willingness to break rules when it comes to their prized companion.

Twilight: A Dedicated Researcher

Twilight spends her time researching. Unsurprisingly, she has no interest in competing in the Friendship Games until her principal threatens her education.

Principal Cinch does not treat Twilight well, and neither do Twilight’s classmates. She spends her time researching so she doesn’t have many friends. The school’s leadership and team spirit are practically the polar opposite of Canterlot High.

A Warm Welcome in Equestria Girls: Friendship Games

That said, when Crystal Prep arrives at Canterlot High, the Wondercolts (Canterlot’s team name) are super friendly to Twilight. At first, everyone thinks that this new Twilight is the same girl who helped save their school twice, but turns out, she’s not.

Despite this, they are still friendly to Twilight, and most of the Mane Six are kind to her. Fluttershy, for example, shares her animals with her, and Pinkie Pie is super friendly to Twilight.

Sunset Shimmer’s Suspicion in Equestria Girls: Friendship Games

Sunset Shimmer, however, is very suspicious of this new Twilight, who has been snooping around the portal to Equestria and causing weird things to happen with the girls’ magic.

Twilight wants to understand the magic at Canterlot High, and this leads her down a rather problematic path.

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Honesty and Integrity in Friendship Games

In a Christian review of Equestria Girls, we need to highlight the importance of honesty. Honesty, according to My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, is essential to friendship. When Twilight is struggling to shoot a bullseye with a bow and arrow, Applejack offers accurate advice to help her even though Twilight is on the opposing team.

A Christian Perspective on Honesty

Honesty is a biblical concept. Proverbs 12:22 (ESV) teaches us “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.”

Although Applejack is honest (honesty is her main virtue), not everyone acts with honesty and integrity.

Dishonesty and Shadiness in Equestria Girls

Principal Cinch doesn’t operate with integrity. She wants Twilight to spy on the Mane Six, using Twilight’s application as blackmail.

Twilight tells a white lie when Principal Cinch overhears her talking to Spike. Instead of telling the truth, she says she was talking to herself. Twilight hides Spike from the principal, who is allergic to dogs, but even little white lies are dishonest.

Twilight’s behavior, as well as the behavior of other characters like Principal Cinch, offers an opportunity to discuss the importance of honesty with our children.

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Sportsmanship and Teamwork in Equestria Girls: Friendship Games

The Friendship Games, despite the name, tend to encourage rivalry between Canterlot High and Crystal Prep.

Sunset Shimmer notices the absurd irony of the Friendship Games, noting, “I just don’t understand why there’s this big rivalry. Aren’t the ‘Friendship Games’ supposed to be about our two schools getting along?“

Everyone wants to win, but there’s a clear difference in the sportsmanship between the two schools.

Crystal Prep’s Lack of Sportsmanship

Crystal Prep desires to win the Friendship Games in order to protect their reputation. In contrast, although the Wondercolts want to win their first games ever, their desire to win doesn’t overshadow their sportsmanship.

The Shadowbolts (Crystal Prep’s team name) are unkind and unsupportive towards each other. When Twilight wins the first competition for the Shadowbolts, they are pretty nonchalant; they clap, but don’t seem very enthusiastic about their win.

Canterlot High’s Sportsmanship

In contrast, after Sunset Shimmer loses the first event, her friends hug her and tell her it “was awesome” and “truly amazing.” Sunset Shimmer acknowledges their loss, seemingly confused at their support, and Applejack says that “that was as close to winning as Canterlot’s ever been.”

The students moving on get announced, and of course, Twilight is included. She tries to wave at her teammates, who don’t acknowledge her.

Comparing and Contrasting the Two Schools

This event highlights a huge difference between the two schools: Canterlot High has their priorities straight—they understand that their friends are more important than winning. The students at Crystal Prep, in contrast, only celebrate their personal accomplishments and refuse to celebrate with others.

Comparing and contrasting the way that Crystal Prep reacts to competition versus Canterlot High offers the opportunity to talk to your children about what good sportsmanship looks like, and how we can be kind to everyone, even those who do better than we do at a particular task.

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Magic in Equestria Girls: Friendship Games – Christian Perspective

Finally, we have the concept of magic in Friendship Games. Magic is prevalent throughout the entire My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic franchise, which includes Equestria Girls. Friendship Games has magic throughout, and here are some notable examples:

In one scene, Sunset uses her magic notebook to write a message to Princess Twilight in Equestria and asks her if she’s “learned any new magic spells.” The magic notebook functions like a messaging device, similar to a cell phone, but it’s still using magic to function, so that might make some parents wary.

Sunset’s main goal in Friendship Games is to figure out why the girls are continuing to “pony up” (i.e. magically transforming into a human/pony hybrid) even when they aren’t playing music (which was the main cause of “ponying up” in Rainbow Rocks). Twilight’s main desire is to learn about the magic that’s coming from Canterlot High. In that sense, their goals are pretty similar. However, whereas Sunset Shimmer is interested in friendship, Twilight is interested in research.

The Mane Six have their magic, and Twilight (not understanding the implications) ends up taking the magic in a device she created for her research. This stores the magic, but when it’s released, it causes chaos and endangers others.

Sunset Shimmer ends up getting angry at Twilight and treats her as poorly as Twilight’s classmates do, saying “You’re supposed to be so smart, but did you ever think you shouldn’t be messing with things [magic] you don’t understand.”  Magic, is, of course, something Sunset Shimmer doesn’t really understand either.

The Magical Climax of Equestria Girls: Friendship Games

The climax, of course, also involves magic. Crystal Prep tries to convince Twilight to “unleash the magic” to help them win the games, even singing an entire song about it (the lyrics are available here). They degrade her and coerce her into releasing the magic from her device, and even appeal to what she cares about most: knowledge.

Call it power, call it magic

If we lose, it will be tragic

More important is the knowledge we’ll have lost (oh-oh-oh-oh)

A chance like this won’t come again

You’ll regret not giving in

Isn’t understanding magic worth the cost? (Source).

Twilight desires to understand the magic, and the Shadowbolts are able to successfully convince Twilight to release the magic, causing chaos. Twilight turns into Midnight Sparkle, a monstrous creature, and Sunset Shimmer has to remind her of the truth in order to save the day. Here’s the climax:

Ultimately, magic is treated as double-sided in Friendship Games (and My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic). Magic, in this context, can be used for good or evil. Biblically, we know that any attempt to gain power from a source other than God is sin, so if you choose to watch this film with your children, it offers an opportunity to discuss what the Bible says about magic, and how we should not be relying on anyone or anything other than God.

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FAQs for Equestria Girls: Friendship Games

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Conclusion: Christian Review of Equestria Girls—Friendship Games

In our Christian Review of Equestria Girls: Friendship Games, we discussed everything from morals to character to magic. The film is family-friendly and created for children. However, that doesn’t mean it’s safe from a Christian perspective.

Is Equestria Girls: Friendship Games safe for Christians?

The main characters are (overall) kind and virtuous, and the film teaches lessons about friendship, teamwork, and integrity. Christians, however, may want to be cautious due to the portrayals of magic in Equestria Girls.

On the flip side, the film offers a chance to talk with our kids about what the Bible says about magic (and other topics mentioned in this review) to help them use discernment and learn to think critically about what we watch.

Ultimately, each family needs to follow their own convictions.

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Parent Guide for Equestria Girls: Friendship Games

Sex and Nudity in Equestria Girls: Friendship Games

• Sunset Shimmer has a bit of cleavage in the intro. It’s subtle, but still noticeable.
• A character blushes around their crush.
• Someone’s crush bumps into them.
• Applejack’s belly is slightly visible when Rarity is working on clothing.

Language in Equestria Girls: Friendship Games

• “Meanie.”
• “Hoity toity Crystal Preppers.”
• “Party pooped.”

Violence/Gore/Frightening and Intense Scenes in Equestria Girls: Friendship Games

• Twilight accidentally hits Spike with the door.
• Magic hits Spike. At first, it seems like he’s hurt, but he is okay.
• The Mane Six “pony up” before Twilight’s gadget drains them of their magic.
• A magic plant causes havoc, putting the characters in danger during the games.
• At the end of the film, Twilight turns into a monstrous creature and causes havoc. Some characters nearly fall into an Equestrian portal. It may be intense for some children.

Other Concerns in Equestria Girls: Friendship Games

• A student has a skull on their shirt.
• Magic appears throughout.

Photo credit (including cover photo): Photo of promotional material for My Little Pony Equestria Girls Friendship Games, used under fair use for review/commentary. All rights belong to their respective owners.