The Emoji Movie (2017)
Synopsis:
Gene is a unique emoji living in the bustling digital city of Textopolis, inside a smartphone. Unlike other emojis who have just one expression, Gene is multi-expressional, which makes him different from everyone else. Determined to fit in and become a normal emoji like his peers, Gene embarks on an adventurous journey through the various apps of the phone. Along the way, he teams up with Hi-5, a once-popular emoji eager to regain his status, and Jailbreak, a skilled code-breaker emoji with her own secrets. Together, this unlikely trio navigates the colorful digital world while being pursued by Smiler, an emoji who sees Gene's uniqueness as a threat. Through their adventure, Gene must discover whether being different is actually his greatest strength in a world that values conformity.
Where To Watch: The Emoji Movie
Parental Feedback
The Emoji Movie delivers a fast-paced, colorful adventure set inside a smartphone, blending bright animation with contemporary digital humor that younger viewers will recognize from their everyday device use. Parents should expect a lighthearted tone with rapid-fire visual gags, pop culture references, and a straightforward narrative about self-acceptance and friendship. The film maintains an energetic pace throughout its runtime, with minimal emotional intensity and humor that skews toward slapstick and wordplay centered on the digital world.
Why Kids Should Watch The Emoji Movie
The Emoji Movie offers several elements that can engage young viewers and spark positive conversations.
The animation brings a familiar digital world to life in creative ways, transforming the inside of a smartphone into a vibrant, imaginative landscape that children who use devices will find instantly relatable and visually entertaining.
The central message about embracing individuality and being yourself resonates clearly throughout Gene's journey, as he learns that being different isn't something to hide but rather a unique strength worth celebrating.
The voice cast, including T.J. Miller, James Corden, and Anna Faris, delivers energetic performances that keep the story moving and provide distinct personalities for each character that children can easily distinguish and follow.
The film reinforces themes of friendship and teamwork as Gene, Hi-5, and Jailbreak work together toward their goals, demonstrating how collaboration and supporting one another leads to success.
Why Kids Shouldn't Watch The Emoji Movie
Parents may want to consider a few aspects before viewing with younger children.
The heavy reliance on smartphone app references and digital culture may feel dated quickly and could go over the heads of very young viewers who aren't yet familiar with mobile technology, potentially limiting engagement.
Some parents might find the film's commercial nature concerning, as it essentially functions as extended product placement for various apps and digital platforms, which could influence children's attitudes toward screen time and technology.
The humor occasionally relies on pop culture references and contemporary slang that may not resonate with all age groups, and some jokes might require explanation for children unfamiliar with the digital concepts being referenced.
Verdict: Parent Approved
The Emoji Movie earns parent approval as harmless family entertainment with positive messages about self-acceptance, though parents should be prepared for heavy tech-centric content and product placement.
What Parents Should Know About The Emoji Movie
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does this Movie model positive behavior that my child can understand and repeat? | Yes, Gene's journey demonstrates embracing your unique qualities, and the characters show teamwork, loyalty, and helping friends achieve their goals. |
| Does this Movie include emotional moments my child might find confusing or intense? | The emotional content remains light throughout, with mild moments of characters feeling excluded or worried, but nothing particularly intense or confusing for young viewers. |
| Does this Movie show consequences for unkind or unsafe behavior? | Yes, the antagonist Smiler faces consequences for her controlling behavior, and characters learn that hiding who you are or trying to force conformity leads to negative outcomes. |
| Does this Movie reinforce helpful social skills like sharing, apologizing, or teamwork? | Yes, the film emphasizes teamwork as Gene, Hi-5, and Jailbreak must collaborate and support each other, demonstrating how working together helps everyone succeed. |
| Will my child come away with any clear moral or message? | Yes, the central message is clear: being different makes you special, and you should embrace your unique qualities rather than trying to conform to others' expectations. |
The Overall Sentiment From Parental Feedback
Parental feedback on The Emoji Movie tends to be mixed, with most agreeing it serves as acceptable entertainment for young children but falls short of being memorable or particularly enriching. Many parents appreciate that the content is appropriate for the PG rating, with no concerning violence or inappropriate language, making it a safe choice for family viewing. However, numerous parents express reservations about the heavy product placement and the film's focus on smartphone culture, worrying it may encourage excessive screen time. The positive messages about self-acceptance and friendship are generally recognized and valued, though some parents feel these themes are delivered in a superficial manner. Overall, parents view it as a passable option for keeping children entertained during a movie night, but not necessarily a film that will become a family favorite or offer substantial educational value.
Official The Emoji Movie Trailer
Why Kids Love The Emoji Movie
Gene races through a bright, colorful digital world inside a smartphone, dodging danger at every turn. Kids love watching him zoom through different app environments, from dancing games with glittering effects to fast-paced chases where emojis slide and bounce off digital obstacles.
The silly sidekick Hi-5 brings tons of laughs with his goofy personality and funny reactions as he helps Gene on his secret mission. Jailbreak shows off cool hacker gadgets and tech tricks, breaking through firewalls and navigating the phone's system like a digital spy.
Smiler creates cartoon-style chaos by sending bots after Gene, leading to wild escape sequences through app after app. The fast-paced action keeps moving as the characters jump between bright, colorful worlds, each with its own silly sound effects and visual gags.
Kids enjoy the teamwork between Gene, Hi-5, and Jailbreak as they work together to fix the problem and complete their mission. The smartphone setting is packed with robots, AI helpers, and digital gadgets that make every scene feel like an adventure beyond words.