"The Cutie Re-Mark" is notable for two things. One being that it is the Season 5 two part finale (the third of the show, Season 1 and 3's finales were one episode each). The other being that it signalled the return of Starlight Glimmer, who had made such a big impression in the two part Season 5 premiere "The Cutie Map". Anybody that loved her then will be interested in what "The Cutie Re-Mark" does with her and how she has progressed.
Which is a lot, which will be come onto later. "The Cutie Re-Mark" is in my view a very good two-parter with a lot of brilliant things, though it is understandable as to why one scene from Part 2 is divisive among fans. Of the finale two parters of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' up to this point, "The Cutie Re-Mark" is the weakest of the three, Season 2's "A Canterlot Wedding" and Season 3's "Twilight's Kingdom" (the best of the three while being one of the best of the whole show) being the others. Part 1 starts it off very well.
Didn't think there was an awful lot wrong with "The Cutie Re-Mark: Part 1". Am another one of those people who didn't buy how such a clever character like Twilight would be so easily fooled and for so long.
Maybe the whole alternate futures universes concept could have gone into more depth, what is said fascinates hugely but with the time constraint not all of it felt fully explored and it feels rushed. This would have benefitted perhaps from being a three or four parter, a feeling not gotten from the previous finale two parters and even since.
On the other hand, there is so much to adore about "The Cutie Re-Mark: Part 1". The vibrancy of the colours is still intact, as is the vivid atmosphere and the meticulously detailed backgrounds. The character designs became more polished with each season and one can see the growth here. The music is dynamic with the action and has an infectious groove and atmosphere. The writing is mature and thought provoking, with the very psychological and chillingly manipulative dialogue for Starlight Glimmer standing out.
A couple of issues aside, actually the story is very compelling and it is the darkest and most ambitious of the three finale two parters at this point of the show and perhaps the darkest and most ambitious two parters in the show's run. Dark because of Starlight Glimmer and her plan, and ambitious because of everything to do with the alternate future universes, which really fascinates and wows.
It's the character of Starlight Glimmer that makes the episode. She made a huge impression in the Season 5 premiere "The Cutie Map", she makes even more of an impression here. We learn much more about her, her motivations, how she came to be that way, one of the better developed and most chilling villains of the show and by far the best villain of Season 5. The character writing is excellent, no blandness or distortions here. The voice acting is top notch, Kelly Sheridan's voice acting here is far removed from her prolific role of Barbie (who she was still voicing at the time of this episode), and she relishes voicing Starlight. Tara Strong is also great.
To conclude, very good and nearly great with a couple of flaws. 8/10
Which is a lot, which will be come onto later. "The Cutie Re-Mark" is in my view a very good two-parter with a lot of brilliant things, though it is understandable as to why one scene from Part 2 is divisive among fans. Of the finale two parters of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' up to this point, "The Cutie Re-Mark" is the weakest of the three, Season 2's "A Canterlot Wedding" and Season 3's "Twilight's Kingdom" (the best of the three while being one of the best of the whole show) being the others. Part 1 starts it off very well.
Didn't think there was an awful lot wrong with "The Cutie Re-Mark: Part 1". Am another one of those people who didn't buy how such a clever character like Twilight would be so easily fooled and for so long.
Maybe the whole alternate futures universes concept could have gone into more depth, what is said fascinates hugely but with the time constraint not all of it felt fully explored and it feels rushed. This would have benefitted perhaps from being a three or four parter, a feeling not gotten from the previous finale two parters and even since.
On the other hand, there is so much to adore about "The Cutie Re-Mark: Part 1". The vibrancy of the colours is still intact, as is the vivid atmosphere and the meticulously detailed backgrounds. The character designs became more polished with each season and one can see the growth here. The music is dynamic with the action and has an infectious groove and atmosphere. The writing is mature and thought provoking, with the very psychological and chillingly manipulative dialogue for Starlight Glimmer standing out.
A couple of issues aside, actually the story is very compelling and it is the darkest and most ambitious of the three finale two parters at this point of the show and perhaps the darkest and most ambitious two parters in the show's run. Dark because of Starlight Glimmer and her plan, and ambitious because of everything to do with the alternate future universes, which really fascinates and wows.
It's the character of Starlight Glimmer that makes the episode. She made a huge impression in the Season 5 premiere "The Cutie Map", she makes even more of an impression here. We learn much more about her, her motivations, how she came to be that way, one of the better developed and most chilling villains of the show and by far the best villain of Season 5. The character writing is excellent, no blandness or distortions here. The voice acting is top notch, Kelly Sheridan's voice acting here is far removed from her prolific role of Barbie (who she was still voicing at the time of this episode), and she relishes voicing Starlight. Tara Strong is also great.
To conclude, very good and nearly great with a couple of flaws. 8/10
