The Emoji Movie currently holds a dismal 6% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on a staggering 238 reviews. This translates to a devastatingly low average star rating of roughly 1.2 out of 5 stars.
H2: The Unofficial Star Rating and Critical Reception
The Emoji Movie, released in 2017, was intended to be a vibrant and engaging animated adventure capitalizing on the ubiquity of emojis in modern communication. Instead, it became a notorious example of corporate synergy gone wrong, earning widespread scorn from critics and audiences alike. The aforementioned 6% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes speaks volumes. While Rotten Tomatoes doesn’t officially assign star ratings, calculating the average from various reviews that do use a star-based system results in the estimated 1.2-star figure. This isn’t just “bad”; it’s historically low, placing it amongst the worst-reviewed animated films of all time.
The criticism extended beyond mere dislike. Reviewers lamented the film’s lack of originality, its blatant product placement, and its shallow, uninspired plot. Many considered it an insult to both children and the art of animation, arguing that it offered nothing of substance or entertainment value. The film was perceived as a cynical attempt to exploit a popular trend for financial gain, with little regard for artistic merit or audience satisfaction.
H2: Deeper Dive into the Criticism
The sheer volume of negative reviews, combined with the consistently harsh tone employed by critics, paints a stark picture of the film’s critical failure. To understand the depth of the negativity, let’s examine some key recurring themes in the criticism:
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Lack of Narrative Cohesion: The story was often described as disjointed and nonsensical, lacking a clear narrative arc and compelling character development. The plot felt more like a series of loosely connected scenes designed to showcase various apps and digital platforms than a cohesive story.
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Overt Commercialism: The Emoji Movie was widely criticized for its excessive and blatant product placement. The film featured prominent appearances from popular apps and websites, which critics argued were shoehorned into the narrative in a jarring and distracting manner. This commercialism undermined any potential for genuine storytelling.
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Uninspired Character Design: While the premise centered around emojis, the film failed to capitalize on their inherent expressive potential. Characters were often described as generic and one-dimensional, lacking the charm and personality that audiences have come to expect from animated films.
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Cynical Exploitation of Trends: The film was perceived as a calculated attempt to profit from the popularity of emojis without offering anything of genuine artistic value. Critics argued that it exploited a trend without understanding its appeal, resulting in a shallow and unfulfilling experience.
H2: Alternative Perspectives (Are There Any?)
While the overwhelming consensus is negative, it’s crucial to acknowledge that some viewers, typically very young children, might find the film entertaining on a superficial level. The bright colors, familiar characters (emojis, after all), and simple plot might hold appeal for a specific demographic with limited critical engagement. However, this limited appeal doesn’t negate the widespread and justified criticism leveled against the film.
It’s also important to consider that the Emoji Movie, despite its critical failure, was a commercial success. This highlights the disconnect between critical reception and box office performance, suggesting that marketing and brand recognition can sometimes trump artistic merit in attracting audiences.
H2: FAQs About The Emoji Movie’s Star Rating
Here are some frequently asked questions to further illuminate the topic:
H3: What is the lowest possible star rating a movie can receive?
Generally, the lowest possible rating on a 5-star scale is 0.5 stars or 1 star. However, some critics may choose not to assign any stars at all to exceptionally poor films, opting instead to simply provide a scathing review.
H3: Why is Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer score different from a star rating?
The Tomatometer score represents the percentage of critics who gave the film a positive review, regardless of the specific star rating assigned. A film with a 60% or higher rating is considered “Fresh,” while anything below 60% is “Rotten.” It’s a broad indicator of critical consensus, not a precise measure of quality like a star rating.
H3: Did any critics actually give the Emoji Movie a positive review?
Yes, a small minority of critics did offer positive reviews. These reviews often focused on the film’s visual appeal or its potential to entertain young children. However, these positive reviews were heavily outweighed by the negative ones.
H3: How does the Emoji Movie’s rating compare to other notoriously bad movies?
The Emoji Movie‘s 6% rating places it in the company of films like Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever and Saving Christmas, which are widely considered to be among the worst movies ever made. It is consistently ranked among the lowest-rated animated films.
H3: Did the Emoji Movie win any awards?
Unfortunately (or perhaps fittingly), the Emoji Movie primarily “won” Razzie Awards, which celebrate the worst in cinema. These included awards for Worst Picture, Worst Screenplay, and Worst Director.
H3: What was the budget for the Emoji Movie?
The budget for the Emoji Movie was approximately $50 million. This makes its critical failure even more significant, as a substantial amount of money was invested in a product that was ultimately deemed to be of extremely low quality.
H3: Who directed the Emoji Movie?
The Emoji Movie was directed by Tony Leondis.
H3: Were there any sequels or spin-offs planned after the Emoji Movie?
Despite its commercial success, the overwhelmingly negative reception of the Emoji Movie likely deterred Sony from pursuing any immediate sequels or spin-offs. There are currently no announced plans for future Emoji Movie-related projects.
H3: Could the Emoji Movie be considered a “so bad it’s good” movie?
While some films gain a cult following for their unintentional humor or bizarre qualities, the Emoji Movie generally doesn’t fall into this category. Most viewers find it to be simply bad, without any redeeming qualities that would make it enjoyable in a humorous or ironic way.
H3: What are some alternatives to the Emoji Movie that are genuinely good animated films?
There is a vast library of outstanding animated films to choose from. Some highly recommended alternatives include works from Pixar, Studio Ghibli, and Cartoon Saloon, such as Toy Story, Spirited Away, and Song of the Sea.
H3: What lessons can be learned from the Emoji Movie’s failure?
The Emoji Movie‘s failure serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of prioritizing commercialism over artistic merit. It demonstrates that simply capitalizing on a popular trend is not enough to create a successful film. Quality storytelling, compelling characters, and a genuine passion for the craft are essential ingredients for any successful movie.
H3: Has the critical reception changed over time? Has the film become retrospectively appreciated?
No, the critical reception has remained largely unchanged. There has been no significant retrospective appreciation of the Emoji Movie. It is still widely considered to be one of the worst animated films ever made.
H2: Conclusion: The Emoji Movie’s Legacy
The Emoji Movie‘s legacy isn’t one of cinematic triumph but rather a stark reminder of the importance of quality in filmmaking. Its exceptionally low star rating and overwhelmingly negative reviews solidify its place as a cautionary tale in the annals of animation history, demonstrating that even the most popular trends cannot guarantee success without a foundation of genuine artistic merit. While it may have achieved commercial success, its lasting impact is as a prime example of a movie that was critically panned and largely disliked, solidifying its place as one of the worst films of its time.