The word “masterpiece” is a word that should not be used lightly. It should only be used to best describe films that are exceptional, where everything about a film is phenomenal. To call “The Emoji Movie” a masterpiece is to do “The Emoji Movie” a disservice. “The Emoji Movie” stands above even the best of films like “Citizen Kane,” “Parasite,” “The Godfather,” “Paddington 2,” and “Jack and Jill.”

The quality of The Emoji Movie is shown just by looking at the cast. The supreme talent of amazing actors such as Sir Patrick Stewart, Anna Farris, Maya Rudolph, James Corden, and the incredible T.J Miller. This shows their amazing talent by delivering career defining line delivery. This is best exemplified by Poop’s, played by Sir Patrick Stewart, famous line “we’re number 2!” Truly comedy gold.

However, while the jokes are all genre defining, it is the story of the film that really makes it resonate as a classic. Gene’s story of wanting to fix himself, but then realizing in the end that his gift isn’t something he should get rid of is inspirational. It shows how one does not have to fit perfectly into society’s mold for them, and that our abnormalities do not have to be suppressed. This is a classic theme that hasn’t been explored often in media because it isn’t something Hollywood likes to display; the philosophical idea that deviation from the norm will be punished unless exploited is displayed very prevalently in the movie through characters Gene and Jailbreak.

Both of them have talents and traits that make them different than their intended purpose and role in the phone, and at first it makes them seen as outcasts, with the main villain and boss of the emojis, Smiler, even wanting to kill Gene over him being what is seen as a glitch. It isn’t until their unique features can help people that their abnormalities are looked at positively. Such as when Gene asks for Jailbreak’s help fixing him, or when the rest of the emojis use Gene’s powers as a glitch to make a super emoji in order to stop Alex from wiping his phone.

On the topic of the phone, it works brilliantly as the setting for a movie about emojis. It lets them explore other apps such as Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, the Just Dance App, and Candy Crush as fun setpieces. They feel very well integrated unlike when other movies use product placement, taking a page out of the book from movies like the Transformers series in order to progress the plot.

Overall, in good faith the lowest that I can give the Emoji movie is 5 stars out of 5, incredible! The talented cast, the fun story, the hilarious jokes, and the amazing set pieces work together to make a modern masterpiece.