The dimension travel conceit here -- the magic mirror as a portal to another world -- is incredibly simple, as is the animation, so even the littlest viewers will understand what's happening. It's fashionable to be enamored with the My Little Pony franchise; just walk into any middle school or a teen-friendly T-shirt store, and you'll find that the pony craze goes way beyond preschool-aged girls (heard of Bronies?). So it's no surprise that Hasbro is putting a spin on their cash cow of the pony universe to literally transform the ponies into teenagers.

Serious pony fans will get a big laugh out of seeing characters like Pinkie Pie, Apple Jack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash in teen form, but with their same unique personality traits in My Little Pony: Equestria Girls. Pinkie Pie is particularly hilarious as the super peppy, fast-talking fall formal organizer. As for the villain Sunset Shimmer, she's a perfect "mean girl" who bullies and intimidates everyone at the school. It's sweet relief, therefore, when Twilight Sparkle inevitably defeats Sunset Shimmer's Machiavellian ploy for total control. Pony power indeed.