Have always really liked Fluttershy as a character and feel she doesn't get enough credit or as much exposure as the other Mane 6 characters. To me, the other 5 may have stronger personalities but Fluttershy was more often than not endearing and easy to relate to at her best. She was also one of the more consistently characterised Mane 6 characters. Also, some of her best episodes (one of the biggest examples being "Hurricane Fluttershy") are highlights of their respective seasons and show high points.
"Filli Vanilli" does such a great job with her. It is not quite one of her very best episodes, not quite "Dragonshy" and "Hurricane Fluttershy" level, and other episodes represent the rest of the Mane 6 more consistently. Whatever few issues "Filli Vanilli" had, Fluttershy was nowhere near close to being one of them (quite the opposite) and on the whole there is nothing vanilla about what is on the most part a very good and nearly great episode.
Would have liked it if Twilight and Rainbow Dash had more to do, they are underused and they have stronger material in other episodes.
Didn't care for Pinkie Pie either. Am aware of what the episode was trying to do in contrasting the more relatably introverted Fluttershy with the more out there Pinkie Pie but for me the episode went too far with Pinkie Pie's silly and extroverted personality, here she came over as annoying and even at times mean-spirited.
Absolutely loved Fluttershy though in her most interesting and most touching appearance since "Hurricane Fluttershy" way back in Season 2. It was so easy to identify with her every step of the way and feel her internal struggles with a situation that any singer and actor/actress feels, being somebody who has been in her situation more than once myself it was like seeing myself with her. Another standout was Rarity, who is very funny and also very caring which has been what has been so great about her this season as an overall whole. Her chemistry with Fluttershy is charming and touching. Applejack also has great comic timing, the episode showing that she is a very entertaining character when in character. Big Mac is a scene stealer too, with his scene with Applejack being a comic highlight. Loved the character interaction which generated a wide range of emotions and really liked that the rest of the Mane 6 cared for Fluttershy and understood her personal space (excepting Pinkie Pie).
The animation is great, especially the facial expressions. The beautiful colours and richness of the background detail as ever shines. The music is characterful and infectious, the songs could have been repetitive as there is a melodic saminess but the way they're staged and the variety of emotions conveyed in the music makes that not happen. The dialogue is a great mix of genuinely hilarious (the scene between Big Mac and Applejack) and movingly mature. The moral is relevant and will resonate with all performers or anybody who's been in the same or similar situation. The story is always entertaining with a big emotional punch that doesn't get too heavy, the whole love of performing, the mental fear and anticipation that comes with it resonated hugely with me as those are/were my main feelings on a daily basis. Andrea Libman's voice acting is absolutely beautifully delivered.
Concluding, very good and so close to being great. Loved Fluttershy and Rarity here while disliking Pinkie Pie. 8/10
"Filli Vanilli" does such a great job with her. It is not quite one of her very best episodes, not quite "Dragonshy" and "Hurricane Fluttershy" level, and other episodes represent the rest of the Mane 6 more consistently. Whatever few issues "Filli Vanilli" had, Fluttershy was nowhere near close to being one of them (quite the opposite) and on the whole there is nothing vanilla about what is on the most part a very good and nearly great episode.
Would have liked it if Twilight and Rainbow Dash had more to do, they are underused and they have stronger material in other episodes.
Didn't care for Pinkie Pie either. Am aware of what the episode was trying to do in contrasting the more relatably introverted Fluttershy with the more out there Pinkie Pie but for me the episode went too far with Pinkie Pie's silly and extroverted personality, here she came over as annoying and even at times mean-spirited.
Absolutely loved Fluttershy though in her most interesting and most touching appearance since "Hurricane Fluttershy" way back in Season 2. It was so easy to identify with her every step of the way and feel her internal struggles with a situation that any singer and actor/actress feels, being somebody who has been in her situation more than once myself it was like seeing myself with her. Another standout was Rarity, who is very funny and also very caring which has been what has been so great about her this season as an overall whole. Her chemistry with Fluttershy is charming and touching. Applejack also has great comic timing, the episode showing that she is a very entertaining character when in character. Big Mac is a scene stealer too, with his scene with Applejack being a comic highlight. Loved the character interaction which generated a wide range of emotions and really liked that the rest of the Mane 6 cared for Fluttershy and understood her personal space (excepting Pinkie Pie).
The animation is great, especially the facial expressions. The beautiful colours and richness of the background detail as ever shines. The music is characterful and infectious, the songs could have been repetitive as there is a melodic saminess but the way they're staged and the variety of emotions conveyed in the music makes that not happen. The dialogue is a great mix of genuinely hilarious (the scene between Big Mac and Applejack) and movingly mature. The moral is relevant and will resonate with all performers or anybody who's been in the same or similar situation. The story is always entertaining with a big emotional punch that doesn't get too heavy, the whole love of performing, the mental fear and anticipation that comes with it resonated hugely with me as those are/were my main feelings on a daily basis. Andrea Libman's voice acting is absolutely beautifully delivered.
Concluding, very good and so close to being great. Loved Fluttershy and Rarity here while disliking Pinkie Pie. 8/10
