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My Little Pony: A Very Minty Christmas (G, 2005)

common sense media says

Hasbro toys await Santa; preschoolers only.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this DVD, first released in 2005 and released for the 2008 holiday season with a free Minty pony figure, is like other entertainment based on the Hasbro toys: meant for the littlest viewers only. Young My Little Pony fans may find the scene in which Minty is blown around uncontrolled in a hot air balloon and almost falls before she's rescued a little bit scary. Although there's a nice message about caring for friends being more important than Santa's visit at Christmas, that probably won't stop kids from asking Santa for My Little Ponies after seeing this DVD.

Positive messages: Minty doesn't exercise the best judgment. She breaks the all-important Christmas candy cane and embarks on a dangerous trip to the North Pole by herself. Pony friends show how caring is more important than gifts for Christmas.
Violence & scariness: Minty is blown around in a hot air balloon and is afraid. She almost falls when the balloon deflates before she's rescued.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Based on the popular Hasbro toys. The latest version (2008) even comes with a small Minty figurine in a Santa hat.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on My Little Pony: A Very Minty Christmas

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why kids wanted to watch this DVD. Is it because of the My Little Pony toys? Would you have liked the story if it didn't feature pony characters? Families can also discuss Minty's decisions. Do you think she should have tried to "fix" the special candy cane when no one else was around? Have you ever broken something that wasn't yours? What did you do about it? Do you think Minty should have gone off by herself to find Santa? How did Santa end up finding the Ponies?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Everyone in Ponyville is preparing for Christmas with lots of decorating and celebrating. On Christmas Eve, all the ponies gather to put the Here Comes Christmas Candy Cane -- a glowing symbol to help Santa find Ponyville -- on the top of the biggest tree. When the revelers disperse, Minty the (very clumsy) Pony decides it's not quite straight and adjusts it ... until it falls and breaks. She tries to tell the other ponies, but everyone's too busy to listen. So Minty tries to find a way to save Christmas all by herself.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The three-star rating reflects the movie's appeal to preschoolers -- and the catchy song "That's What I Love About Christmas." That tune starts and ends the DVD, so parents will know when to come and go while they do their Christmas prep. What you'll find in between is a very predictable story with characters that only young kids, especially girls, could love: pastel-colored prancing ponies with silly voices (Rainbow Dash calls everyone "Dahhhling," for instance).

If your requirements for preschool entertainment include an educational component, you won't find it here. Just a few nice messages and one pony with bad judgment -- why would she think she could replace everyone's presents with socks? There's even a song, "Nothing Says Christmas Like a Pair of Socks." Uh ... not quite.

 

Movie themes & details

Themes
holidays
Movie Details
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Director: Victor Dal Chele
Cast: Janyse Jaud, Kathleen Barr, Tabitha St. Germain
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 66 minutes
Theatrical release: January 1, 2005
DVD release: October 21, 2008
MPAA Rating: G
This review was written by Carrie R. Wheadon
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

momma18
parent of 5 and 8 year old
3
 
Pretty boring even for the littles. Plot is way weak and it makes it hard for the easily distracted toddler to stay "tuned in" just when you're trying to wrap presents or wash a dish or two!
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jt7ou
parent of 3 and 3 year old
3
 
entertaining for my 3 year old
my 3 year old loves it, but it is purely entertainment for her.
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (4)
Miranda ...
kid, 11 years old
2
 
HATE IT!!!
This movie will never win a movie reward EVER!!!!!!!!!!
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (6)

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