Just when you thought that "A Brony Tale" didn't meet too many expectations, this documentary will go down a treat. It heavily relies on the bronies and the convention, rather than being slow- burned and relying on ONE person making part of this fandom possible: Ashleigh Ball. Would recommend for the whole family. In spite of some profanity - the movie would've been given a PG- rating either way.

I don't think that there has ever been a documentary that has ever been filmed that displays the heroic courage necessary for a grown man to accept something so pure and majestic as his love for a cartoon pony. Never before has such a visual spectacle made such a deep impact upon my life. Witnessing the bravery of these individuals has given me the courage and strength to escape the dark, oppressive basement of my deeply authoritarian parents. Which is a burden that I would wish upon no one. Watching this movie has given me the strength to soar like an eagle, move out, and acquire my new job as a brewista at a local coffee shop. Every time I rewatch this documentary I weep tears of joy as I reminisce on how far I've come but yet how far I still have to go. This is why I relate so much to rainbow dash and the trials and tribulations that she has faced as a pony. I also credit this movie for meeting my life partner at our local Bronie support group which holds weekly meetings at the coffee shop that I work. Although I deeply love my life partner they erroneously identify with the pony rarity, which seems strange but opposites do attract. Anyway I'm sorry for being so long winded but I just want everyone to grasp how much this film has impacted my life. I hope to make it to broniecon 2017 and with any luck I will.

tl;dr: Watch this movie if you are a loved one or friend of a brony, or are just curious about bronies in general and want to understand the draw. You will "get it" by the time you finish this documentary.This film is also worth watching if you are a brony and want to know what open-minded outsiders and show creators think of bronies, or are looking for a medium through which you can show someone else what it's all about.If you're looking for a film to confirm your preconceived notions about bronies, or are looking for yet another media source through which you can take part in making fun of "freaks," then don't bother: You won't like this film.---Full disclosure: I am a brony, and I feel the handling of the subject matter in this film is as true-to-life as anything I've ever seen. I don't usually write reviews, but I am now in light of the fact that at the time of this writing, the film enjoys pretty good ratings on IMDb, yet almost all of the other reviews of the film are pretty negative.Let me correct a few misconceptions about this film: It isn't meant to try to convert you into being a brony. It's also not really even trying to defend bronies, or paint them in an overly positive light. The film seeks to help the viewer answer questions like "Who are the bronies?" and "Why would grown men like My Little Pony so much?" I believe this film accomplishes those goals very well.Specifically, the film starts by showing excerpts from interviews of bronies who were just as surprised at becoming fans of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic as the viewer probably is, then shows typical criticism of adult fans of the show as seen on popular media or among "normal" people.From there we're introduced to several typical bronies of various types in several parts of the world. Throughout the film we watch these people both as they make preparations to attend brony conventions, how things go for them at said conventions, and their reactions afterward. Interspersed with this are excerpts from the show, from independently-created animations and from interviews with show staff, other various bronies, professional psychologists and sociologists, and subject-matter experts. The point of these excerpts is to bring the viewer up to speed on some of the terminology, cultural aspects, inside jokes, and show-related specifics which add color and depth of understanding to the brony fandom.Part of the reason for telling the story this way, I think, is because the kind of people who identify as bronies and the reasons they do so are extremely varied. But through the narrative and footage you will learn what some of the more common traits, motivations, and values are, and what brings bronies together as a sort of extended family.I very much sympathized with the people whose stories we follow. I've known people who've faced physical violence because of how they choose to express themselves. I know people with severe problems functioning in social situations. I experienced both the alarm and anxiety, relief and joy as I got to see these people go through their experiences attending conventions. And I couldn't help but smile seeing the parallel between the bronies singing "Smile, smile, smile!" and the characters from the show doing the same.Overall, I was highly impressed by the film, and feel that it is the most accurate representation of the brony fandom created to date.To address some things brought up in other reviews:*The original animation done for this documentary was easily on par with the actual cartoon. It is an example of some of the best fan-made animation the brony community profusely produces. (And indeed, some of the best animation that *any* fandom produces.) *The film does jump around somewhat from story to story. If you're not paying attention, it could be easy to get confused. However, I found that the overall narrative that's being told is very cohesive.*The people chosen for their stories in the film actually are pretty typical of the fandom, as are the challenges they face. I don't have anything to back this up, except my experience in the fandom. Though, I do think several university-funded sociological studies have been made of the brony demographic which would back up this claim.*If you don't think that bronies are challenging social norms by first being willing to admit they sincerely, non-ironically enjoy a television show aimed at little girls, are willing in many cases to express this by wearing clothes depicting characters from the show, and also in many cases even trying to live by the values taught in the show… then all I have to say is you and I must not live on the same planet.*If you don't think the previous point warrants treatment in a documentary, then please feel free to make your own on whatever subject you wish, and quit wasting my time and the time of people who actually want to learn something about bronies.*If you think this film portrays bronies in too positive a light, then I would submit that you probably don't know many bronies. For the most part, they're just ordinary people who care sincerely about other ordinary people. And ordinary people tend to be good people. (Or at least, most bronies think so.)The only actual criticism I have for the film is that at certain points the camera work and audio are a bit wonky, particularly in those scenes in the "Mane Hall" at Bronycon. But I guess that's what sometimes happens when you're filming a live event and don't stage your footage.I found this documentary to be easily watchable, entertaining and informative. I highly recommend it for anyone curious about bronies and what makes them tick.

First, I am brony and I think this film did a very good job of showing how the "brony phenomenon" is a positive thing. And that is important in a world where people with spout off their opinions with knowing hardly anything about the subject they are talking about.The documentary highlights importance of friendship, fellowship, and all the good things the show instills in the brony community. It is a positive and uplifting film that demonstrates how the show and its fans have helped people be more comfortable with themselves and others.There is definitely more to the bronies than is presented here, but I think it is a great introduction for people seeking to learn more about the community. You can only fit so much into a 90 minute film.I highly recommend showing this to non-bronies. For bronies it may be preaching to the choir, but it helped remind me of the best qualities of the fans.