'My Little Pony: Pony Life' "The Rarest of Occasions"/"Portal of Combat" (2021)
Opening thoughts: Season 2 on the whole was an improvement over Season 1, with two episodes that were actually decent. With that beibg said, the previous couple of episodes were a disappointment, on the same level as the best that Season 1 got (lacklustre), and it was like the improvement had not happened. There was potential with the concept for the latter, but the former did sound like it would overdo Rarity's diva-ish personality, which the show has done more than once before and badly.
Neither "The Rarest of Occasions" and "Portal of Combat" worked that well, especially the former which does nothing new or appealing with a premise that didn't endear that much to begin with. The latter had potential and moments, but not enough, semi-watchable but nothing special. Again it felt like the improvement had not happened. The double bill is not completely terrible and has moments of good with the latter segment, but the numerous things that fail are as badly done as Season 1 at its worst.
Good things: There are good things. The voice work is energetic and nuanced from both Ashleigh Ball and Andrea Libman.
Did think that "Portal of Combat" did a few mildly amusing moments and also moments of creative visuals with the wacky magic. Rainbow Dash is at least in character in that segment and doesn't have her flaws exaggerated.
Bad things: Unfortunately, none of that can be said for "The Rarest of Occasions", which has hardly anything to it. "Portal of Combat" was a long way from perfect itself though. "Portal of Combat's" story is too conventional in execution and is still very thin, with some very erraric pacing and a too simple and ham-handed (if well intentioned) moral. Worse is the really, really bland "The Rarest of Occasions". It does nothing new with an over familiar premise, has nothing creative and has no momentum. Plotting is barely there and the pace drags a lot. Charm and heart are pretty much completely absent, the too little humour being too juvenile and there is nothing new with an over familiar premise, has nothing creative and has no momentum. Plotting is barely there and the pace drags a lot. Charm and heart are pretty much completely absent, the too little humour being too juvenile and there is nothing endearing or relatable about Rarity. Who is too much of a melodramatic diva (very like how she has been characterised in most of the episodes centering around her).
Both segments have real problems individually. The animation is rushed and careless looking throughout, with flat colours and very little imagination. Indicative of rushed deadlines and low budget. The music is like cheesy high school quality and never fits with what goes on. The theme tune is grating. Both segments are low on laughs and what little there is is mostly forced and childish. The character writing is one dimensional with none of the characters having much to them.
Concluding thoughts: Another very weak double bill overall.
3/10.