Of the six main 'My Little Pony' characters, Applejack to me was always the most inconsistently characterised. There were times where she was likeable and entertaining, there were also other times where she was too stubborn and that was taken to extremes. In 'Friendship is Magic', the episodes that centered around her and/or her family were the most hit and miss of the six. Was interested in seeing how she would be developed.
"How Applejack Got Her Hat Back" did a nice job with her and is an improvement on the previous two episodes "Princess Probz" and "Best of the Worst" (neither of which worked for me at all). Of 'My Little Pony: Pony Life's' episodes, "How Applejack Got Her Hat Back" is one of the better ones. It as an overall episode was a rather mixed bag though and still wasn't particularly good, with some improvements but also with too many of the flaws that burdened the previous two episodes.
There are good things. Did like Applejack's character development, she comes over as likeable in a relatable situation and her flaws weren't exaggerated (unlike Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash) in the previous two episodes). She is also in character, unlike Rainbow Dash in the previous episode. The moral is one of 'Pony Life's' better ones, it is not a new one but it is more universal and relevant and is not delivered as simplistically or heavy handedly.
Also thought that there were a few mildly amusing moments, Applejack's more self aware humour is less out of place now that she is the main focus. The voice acting is very well done, have never had a problem with Ashleigh Ball's voice acting as Applejack and still don't.
However, too many of the faults seen before are here. There is nothing imaginative or vibrant about the animation, which is rushed and careless looking throughout. 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. The writing on the whole lacks imagination and is generally not particularly funny and lacking in maturity.
Soul and charm in the story is scant, and while it is a little more eventful than with the previous two episodes the story is still over-simple and is very predictable. The character writing is also rather simplistic outside of Applejack.
Overall, an improvement but could have been a lot better. 5/10.
"How Applejack Got Her Hat Back" did a nice job with her and is an improvement on the previous two episodes "Princess Probz" and "Best of the Worst" (neither of which worked for me at all). Of 'My Little Pony: Pony Life's' episodes, "How Applejack Got Her Hat Back" is one of the better ones. It as an overall episode was a rather mixed bag though and still wasn't particularly good, with some improvements but also with too many of the flaws that burdened the previous two episodes.
There are good things. Did like Applejack's character development, she comes over as likeable in a relatable situation and her flaws weren't exaggerated (unlike Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash) in the previous two episodes). She is also in character, unlike Rainbow Dash in the previous episode. The moral is one of 'Pony Life's' better ones, it is not a new one but it is more universal and relevant and is not delivered as simplistically or heavy handedly.
Also thought that there were a few mildly amusing moments, Applejack's more self aware humour is less out of place now that she is the main focus. The voice acting is very well done, have never had a problem with Ashleigh Ball's voice acting as Applejack and still don't.
However, too many of the faults seen before are here. There is nothing imaginative or vibrant about the animation, which is rushed and careless looking throughout. 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. The writing on the whole lacks imagination and is generally not particularly funny and lacking in maturity.
Soul and charm in the story is scant, and while it is a little more eventful than with the previous two episodes the story is still over-simple and is very predictable. The character writing is also rather simplistic outside of Applejack.
Overall, an improvement but could have been a lot better. 5/10.
