{"id":1926,"date":"2018-03-03T15:11:01","date_gmt":"2018-03-03T14:11:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-the-emoji-movie\/"},"modified":"2025-05-09T18:39:52","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T16:39:52","slug":"review-the-emoji-movie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-the-emoji-movie\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: The Emoji movie"},"content":{"rendered":"

One might be tempted to open with a joke about how The Emoji Movie<\/strong> is somehow worse<\/em> than its already poor reputation, citing its 9% rating on Rotten Tomatoes<\/a> and its three Razzie awards<\/strong> for Worst Picture, Worst Director, and Worst Screenplay in 2017. However, that would be inaccurate. The Emoji Movie<\/em> is far from the worst film this reviewer has seen. In my opinion, the worst film of 2017 remains The Snowman<\/strong> (review forthcoming)<\/em>. So, the question remains: why is The Emoji Movie<\/em> so universally disliked? Let’s delve into that now.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The premise posits a hidden world within your smartphone. Deep within the messaging app lies Textopolis, a bustling city inhabited by various Emojis. Among them is Gene (T.J Miller)<\/strong>. Each Emoji is designed to express a single, consistent emotion. However, Gene, a “meh” emoji, possesses the unique ability to display a range of emotions, leading to unforeseen consequences for his user, Alex (Jake T. Austin)<\/strong>. Following a disruptive incident, Gene seeks reprogramming to conform to a single expression. He enlists the help of the unpopular Emoji Hi-5 (James Corden)<\/strong> and the hacker Jailbreak (Anna Faris)<\/strong>. Thus begins a race against time to restore order before Alex visits a phone store to wipe his device, effectively erasing all its content.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Let’s begin with the film’s shortcomings. The animation appears somewhat simplistic compared to contemporary animated features. It has the feeling of being produced rapidly \u2013 unsubstantiated reports suggest it might be the fastest animated film ever made. The script is undeniably thin, and the plot progresses linearly, lacking significant depth or complexity. Furthermore, the journey through the phone can be interpreted as extended product placement for platforms like Instagram<\/strong>, Candy Crush<\/strong>, and other applications.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Turning to the positives, the film does possess redeeming qualities. The voice actors deliver commendable performances, given the limitations of the script. T.J. Miller brings a certain charm to Gene, and Anna Faris is consistently engaging. Maya Rudolph<\/strong>, as Smiler<\/strong>, the perpetually smiling emoji, is amusing and delightfully eccentric. The contrast of Patrick Stewart’s<\/strong> distinguished voice as the poop emoji is also surprisingly entertaining. The film incorporates mature humor, exemplified by an old emoji “:-)”<\/strong> who, upon being knocked over, exclaims “My colon!”<\/em>, creating a double entendre. Furthermore, the ending achieves a surprising level of emotional resonance.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

So, why the intense dislike for The Emoji Movie<\/em>? The film faced criticism even before its release due to its subject matter. It was perceived as a transparent attempt to attract young audiences, leading to a preemptive backlash that proved unstoppable. The film was, in many ways, condemned before it even premiered. Consequently, as a reviewer, suggesting that it surpasses its reputation might raise eyebrows. However, this film possesses moments of genuine humor, enjoyable elements, and even some endearing qualities. While not a cinematic masterpiece, it is certainly not the complete failure that many critics have portrayed it as.<\/p>\n

The release features competent sound and picture quality, accompanied by several extras, including a short Hotel Transylvania<\/strong> film that provides additional entertainment. While a purchase recommendation might be a stretch, the film remains a watchable experience.<\/p>\n