mjangelvortex 
"[@PaintEdits":](/1667674#comment_6932298
)
I'm honestly going to have to disagree with you on the new animation style. A theatrical animated film really needs to look good and the extra effort that was made with the animation in this film is definately one of the higher points for me.
And based on a lot of the things mentioned in the art book (as well as past leaks), they likely did change the script a lot. Earlier drafts had the ponies go to a live action world (similar to the Smurfs films) which I'm glad never fell through. Another earlier draft basically had Tempest as a male alicorn that was Celestia and Luna's evil brother (we kinda don't need more random brothers appearing out of nowhere). Then there was the draft where a lot of the new side characters (especially the Hippogriffs) basically took over the story abit too much and saved the day (which, while badass, does take away a lot of the attention/development from the Mane 6).
M
I can agree that more time on the script was definately needed.AndBut I think the whole "selling toys and celebrity cameos" aspect might have been _*the_* big thing that weighed the film down (lots of toy based films seem to focus more on shoving as many new characters to sell new toys as opposed to focusing on developing a smaller cast). Because I honestly think that focusing on maybe two new movie characters (one "good guy" and one "bad guy") would have been the best option to go with because even the new movie characters felt like they didn't get enough attention that they deserved to get.
Lady of Ships and Birbs
I'm honestly going to have to disagree with you on the new animation style. A theatrical animated film really needs to look good and the extra effort that was made with the animation in this film is definately one of the higher points for me.
And based on a lot of the things mentioned in the art book (as well as past leaks), they likely did change the script a lot. Earlier drafts had the ponies go to a live action world (similar to the Smurfs films) which I'm glad never fell through. Another earlier draft basically had Tempest as a male alicorn that was Celestia and Luna's evil brother (we kinda don't need more random brothers appearing out of nowhere). Then there was the draft where a lot of the new side characters (especially the Hippogriffs) basically took over the story abit too much and saved the day (which, while badass, does take away a lot of the attention/development from the Mane 6).
M
I can agree that more time on the script was definately needed.