The Emoji Movie
Plot
"The Emoji Movie" is a 2017 American computer-animated science fiction comedy film produced by Sony Pictures Animation. The film is set in the digital world of Textopolis, a bustling city within the smartphone of a teenager named Alex. The story follows Gene, a multi-expressional emoji who lives in Textopolis and is supposed to embody the "Meh" expression. However, unlike other emojis, Gene has multiple expressions, which makes him different and causes problems in his daily life.
Gene is determined to become a normal "Meh" emoji like his parents, Mel and Mary Meh. He teams up with his best friend Hi-5, a once-popular emoji who has fallen out of favor, and a codebreaker emoji named Jailbreak. Together, they embark on a journey through various apps on Alex's phone, such as Candy Crush, Just Dance, and Dropbox, to find the source code that will fix Gene's malfunction and make him a single-expression emoji.
During their adventure, they are pursued by Smiler, a smiley emoji and the leader of the emojis, who sees Gene as a threat to the order of Textopolis. Smiler sends her bots to capture Gene and delete him. As Gene, Hi-5, and Jailbreak navigate through the apps, they encounter various challenges and learn important lessons about self-acceptance and the value of being different.
Characters
- **Gene Meh**: The protagonist of the film, Gene is a multi-expressional emoji who struggles to fit in with the other emojis in Textopolis.
- **Hi-5**: Gene's best friend, a hand emoji who was once popular but has since fallen out of favor.
- **Jailbreak**: A codebreaker emoji who helps Gene on his quest. She is later revealed to be a princess emoji who has rejected her royal status.
- **Smiler**: The main antagonist, a smiley emoji who is the leader of the emojis and is determined to delete Gene.
- **Mel Meh**: Gene's father, a "Meh" emoji who is supportive of his son.
- **Mary Meh**: Gene's mother, also a "Meh" emoji, who is concerned about Gene's differences.
Production
"The Emoji Movie" was directed by Tony Leondis and co-written by Leondis, Eric Siegel, and Mike White. The film's concept was inspired by the ubiquitous use of emojis in modern communication and aimed to explore the hidden world within smartphones. The animation was produced by Sony Pictures Imageworks, and the film features a voice cast that includes T.J. Miller as Gene, James Corden as Hi-5, Anna Faris as Jailbreak, Maya Rudolph as Smiler, Steven Wright as Mel Meh, and Jennifer Coolidge as Mary Meh.
Animation and Visual Design
The visual design of "The Emoji Movie" aimed to create a vibrant and dynamic digital world that reflects the diverse range of apps and functions within a smartphone. The animation team faced the challenge of designing characters that are both recognizable as emojis and capable of expressing a wide range of emotions. The film's environments, such as the bustling city of Textopolis and the various app worlds, were meticulously crafted to provide a visually engaging experience for the audience.
Reception
"The Emoji Movie" received generally negative reviews from critics, who criticized its plot, humor, and perceived commercialism. However, the film was a moderate box office success, grossing over $217 million worldwide against a production budget of $50 million. Despite its critical reception, the film has garnered a following among younger audiences and has been the subject of various discussions regarding its themes and cultural impact.
Themes and Analysis
"The Emoji Movie" explores themes of self-acceptance, individuality, and the importance of embracing one's differences. Gene's journey to become a single-expression emoji mirrors the struggles many individuals face in trying to conform to societal expectations. The film also touches on the impact of technology and digital communication on modern relationships and self-identity.
The character of Jailbreak represents a rejection of traditional roles and stereotypes, as she chooses to abandon her princess status in favor of a more independent and empowered identity. Hi-5's arc highlights the fleeting nature of popularity and the value of true friendship.
Cultural Impact
Despite its critical reception, "The Emoji Movie" has had a notable impact on popular culture, particularly in its portrayal of the digital world and the use of emojis as a form of communication. The film has sparked discussions about the role of technology in our lives and the ways in which digital communication shapes our interactions and self-perception.