The Emoji Movie (2017)

In spite of this somehow being a movie, the animation and sound was good with enough subtle references to keep adults entertained, while also being fun and bright enough to hold the attention of my kids.

Excruciatingly bad. It's proper rubbish.
Based on the reputation of this, I knew it was going to be utter tripe. I always wait to watch myself to form my own opinion, but there is no doubt about it - 'The Emoji Movie' is truly awful. It's such a lazy attempt, there is absolutely no creativity and there doesn't seem to have been that much care put into this. How about that product placement, also?!
I will say I do like the idea, you could probably create a fine film with it. However, man did they get the execution incredibly wrong. That's also not good given the cast performances, all of which are quite pathetic. In fairness, they don't exactly get much to work with.
I'm someone who likes James Corden, but he is terrible here. As is T.J. Miller, while Anna Faris and Maya Rudolph are forgettable. I was disappointed (sorta) not to see more of Patrick Stewart's character, given how much I've heard in recent years; he's barely in it.
It's a painful watch, even with a run time of just 86 minutes.