The Emoji Movie, released in 2017, currently holds a dismal 6% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 121 critic reviews. This devastating score firmly establishes it as one of the worst-reviewed animated films of recent memory, a sentiment widely shared by both critics and audiences.
Unpacking the Critical Reception
The reception of The Emoji Movie wasn’t merely lukewarm; it was overwhelmingly negative. Critics lambasted the film for its thin plot, lack of originality, and blatant commercialism, accusing it of being a feature-length advertisement for various smartphone apps. The film’s attempts at humor were often described as forced and unfunny, further contributing to its poor standing. The narrative, which revolves around an emoji named Gene who can express multiple emotions, felt derivative and lacked the emotional depth found in genuinely compelling animated stories.
The film’s financial success, despite its critical drubbing, remains a point of contention. While it grossed over $217 million worldwide against a budget of approximately $50 million, many question the ethics of studios profiting from films that are widely considered to be of low quality. This highlights the often-disconnect between critical consensus and commercial appeal, especially in the realm of family entertainment.
Decoding the 6% Rotten Tomatoes Score
The 6% rating on Rotten Tomatoes isn’t simply a number; it represents the collective judgement of over a hundred professional film critics. To understand the significance of this score, it’s crucial to understand how Rotten Tomatoes works. A film needs to receive at least 60% positive reviews to be considered “fresh.” Anything below that threshold is designated “rotten.” In the case of The Emoji Movie, only 6% of critics deemed it worthy of a positive review, placing it firmly in the “rotten” category.
The Implications of a Low Score
A Rotten Tomatoes score as low as 6% carries significant implications. It acts as a warning sign for potential viewers, signaling that the film is unlikely to provide a satisfying cinematic experience. It can also impact the film’s long-term legacy and prevent it from being considered a classic or even a guilty pleasure. For the filmmakers involved, a score this low can damage their reputations and make it difficult to secure future projects.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about The Emoji Movie‘s Rotten Tomatoes Score
This section addresses common questions surrounding the film’s reception and its implications.
FAQ 1: Is a 6% Rotten Tomatoes score considered bad?
Yes, unequivocally. A 6% Rotten Tomatoes score is exceptionally low and signifies that the vast majority of critics found the film to be of poor quality. It’s generally considered one of the worst possible scores a movie can receive.
FAQ 2: What were the main criticisms of The Emoji Movie?
The most common criticisms included:
- Unoriginal plot: The storyline was perceived as derivative of other animated films.
- Poor writing: The dialogue and jokes were often described as unfunny and forced.
- Blatant commercialism: The film was accused of being an extended advertisement for various apps.
- Lack of emotional depth: The characters and their struggles failed to resonate with audiences.
- Weak animation (comparatively): While not universally criticized, some found the animation to be less visually appealing than other contemporary animated films.
FAQ 3: How does The Emoji Movie‘s score compare to other animated films?
The Emoji Movie‘s 6% is significantly lower than the average Rotten Tomatoes score for animated films. Most well-received animated movies score above 80%, while even mediocre ones often hover around the 50-60% range. Movies like Toy Story, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and Up all boast scores of 97% or higher, highlighting the vast difference in critical acclaim.
FAQ 4: Did audiences agree with the critics?
While the audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is higher than the critics’ score (currently 23%), it still indicates a generally negative reception. This suggests that audiences were also largely dissatisfied with the film, although perhaps to a slightly lesser extent than critics.
FAQ 5: Was The Emoji Movie a box office success?
Yes, despite its critical failure, The Emoji Movie was a box office success, grossing over $217 million worldwide on a budget of approximately $50 million. This demonstrates that financial success does not always equate to critical acclaim or overall quality.
FAQ 6: Why do you think The Emoji Movie was so heavily criticized?
Several factors contributed to the film’s negative reception. The lack of originality, the overt commercialism, and the perceived lack of effort in the writing and animation all played a role. Critics likely felt that the film was a cynical attempt to capitalize on popular trends without offering any genuine artistic merit.
FAQ 7: Are there any redeeming qualities to The Emoji Movie?
Finding redeeming qualities is challenging given the overwhelmingly negative reviews. Some might argue that it offers a simple and colorful story suitable for very young children, but even this is debatable considering the quality of alternative children’s programming. Ultimately, most would agree that its few potentially positive aspects are overshadowed by its significant flaws.
FAQ 8: How did the creators of The Emoji Movie respond to the negative reviews?
The creators of The Emoji Movie haven’t issued any definitive or public apologies. Rather, they largely downplayed the negative reviews and focused on the film’s financial success, as well as its perceived appeal to children.
FAQ 9: Did The Emoji Movie win any awards?
Sadly, the movie ‘won’ the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Picture in 2018. This award is given to the worst film of the year, highlighting the depths of its critical failure. It also won awards for Worst Director, Worst Screen Combo, and Worst Screenplay.
FAQ 10: Has The Emoji Movie‘s Rotten Tomatoes score changed over time?
No, the Rotten Tomatoes score has remained consistently low since the film’s release. The initial 6% has fluctuated slightly, but it has never risen significantly enough to change the film’s “rotten” status. This suggests that the initial negative impressions have endured over time.
FAQ 11: What lessons can be learned from The Emoji Movie‘s failure?
The Emoji Movie‘s failure serves as a cautionary tale for filmmakers. It highlights the importance of originality, strong writing, and genuine emotional depth in creating a successful film. It also underscores the fact that commercial success doesn’t always equate to artistic merit or critical acclaim. Simply leveraging a popular trend or brand isn’t enough; films need to offer something truly unique and engaging to resonate with audiences and critics alike.
FAQ 12: Is The Emoji Movie worth watching?
Whether or not The Emoji Movie is “worth watching” is a matter of personal opinion. However, given the overwhelming negative reviews and the consensus that the film lacks originality and quality, it’s generally recommended to explore other animated films instead. Unless you have a strong interest in seeing a cinematic trainwreck or a morbid curiosity about its failures, there are likely many better ways to spend your time.