The first part of Season 5's two part opener "The Cutie Map" was a great start and a fine episode too in its own right, thanks to its strong antagonist, vivid atmosphere and distinct characterisation of most of the Mane 6 (my only reservation being Pinkie Pie). That and this part made for one of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic's' stronger and most consistent season openers (as well as two parters overall perhaps), the best up to this point, and were two of the season's best episodes.
Anybody that loved "The Cutie Map: Part 1" should love "The Cutie Map: Part 2" just as much, that was the case with me for exactly the same reasons. Just like Part 1 did wonderfully setting up for what was to come, Part 2 does just as wonderfully building upon what was introduced before and moving things forward, just like a second part of a two parter should do in my eyes. If asked what my preference is between the two parts, that is a tough choice but my vote goes to Part 1 just marginally. While Part 2 is more eventful story-wise, it's not quite as atmospheric.
For my tastes, Starlight Glimmer's defeat was slightly rushed and too easy .
Like the first part too Pinkie Pie serves little point and has little to do.
However, so much works in "The Cutie Map: Part 2". It still looks great. Loved the vibrant colours and how rich and varied the detail in the backgrounds was and in terms of settings this is one of the richest ones of the season. Starlight Glimmer's character design also impresses, the town setting has a very vivid atmosphere and there are some typically well animated facial expressions and reactions. The music is dynamic and has groove and atmosphere.
Moreover, on the whole the writing was even better here and it was great in Part 1 too. Have always loved writing that is mature without being too complicated for younger audiences and manages to avoid both being dumbed down and over-serious. All the best lines go to Starlight Glimmer, her manipulation here more frightening than in the first part in my view. The dialogue is also extremely good in the climax and where the maturity shines most. The story is more eventful and the tension is even more. The show was often very good with its morals and the moral here was a good relatable one not laid on too thick.
Pinkie Pie aside, the characterisation is still meaty and impressively individual. Twilight is very well fleshed out and her development over the show was bigger than the other regular characters perhaps. Double Diamond, her hurt and anger relatable, and Party Favor also make a positive impression of the colourful supporting characters. Best of all is again Starlight Glimmer, who is to me one of the show's better antagonists. There are not many 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' villains with this amount of psychological complexity and her manipulative side is quite chilling at its best like in the climax. Kelly Sheridan stands out of the uniformly great voice cast, very different from her voice acting for Barbie.
Concluding, great second part to a great two part season opener. With two episodes being this good, it is hard to not expect high quality from the rest of the season. Which was absolutely there a number of times, but the season was not immune from disappointments. 9/10
Anybody that loved "The Cutie Map: Part 1" should love "The Cutie Map: Part 2" just as much, that was the case with me for exactly the same reasons. Just like Part 1 did wonderfully setting up for what was to come, Part 2 does just as wonderfully building upon what was introduced before and moving things forward, just like a second part of a two parter should do in my eyes. If asked what my preference is between the two parts, that is a tough choice but my vote goes to Part 1 just marginally. While Part 2 is more eventful story-wise, it's not quite as atmospheric.
For my tastes, Starlight Glimmer's defeat was slightly rushed and too easy .
Like the first part too Pinkie Pie serves little point and has little to do.
However, so much works in "The Cutie Map: Part 2". It still looks great. Loved the vibrant colours and how rich and varied the detail in the backgrounds was and in terms of settings this is one of the richest ones of the season. Starlight Glimmer's character design also impresses, the town setting has a very vivid atmosphere and there are some typically well animated facial expressions and reactions. The music is dynamic and has groove and atmosphere.
Moreover, on the whole the writing was even better here and it was great in Part 1 too. Have always loved writing that is mature without being too complicated for younger audiences and manages to avoid both being dumbed down and over-serious. All the best lines go to Starlight Glimmer, her manipulation here more frightening than in the first part in my view. The dialogue is also extremely good in the climax and where the maturity shines most. The story is more eventful and the tension is even more. The show was often very good with its morals and the moral here was a good relatable one not laid on too thick.
Pinkie Pie aside, the characterisation is still meaty and impressively individual. Twilight is very well fleshed out and her development over the show was bigger than the other regular characters perhaps. Double Diamond, her hurt and anger relatable, and Party Favor also make a positive impression of the colourful supporting characters. Best of all is again Starlight Glimmer, who is to me one of the show's better antagonists. There are not many 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' villains with this amount of psychological complexity and her manipulative side is quite chilling at its best like in the climax. Kelly Sheridan stands out of the uniformly great voice cast, very different from her voice acting for Barbie.
Concluding, great second part to a great two part season opener. With two episodes being this good, it is hard to not expect high quality from the rest of the season. Which was absolutely there a number of times, but the season was not immune from disappointments. 9/10
