The Emoji Movie: Thinking of a Career as an Emoji? Watch this Out-of-this-World Animated Film First!

This week from Sony Pictures Animation comes  The Emoji Movie. The studio has certainly served strange animation flicks before such as Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs in 2009 and its sequel in 2013. It has also blended animation with live-action in The Smurfs, an expected movie hit for 2011. Now The Emoji Movie may the studio's most bizarre animated film yet by presenting emojis as characters on an adventure through the digital world of a smartphone.

Official Synopsis:

The Emoji Movie unlocks the never-before-seen secret world inside your smartphone. Hidden within the messaging app is Textopolis, a bustling city where all your favorite emojis live, hoping to be selected by the phone's user. In this world, each emoji has only one facial expression - except for Gene, an exuberant emoji who was born without a filter and is bursting with multiple expressions. Determined to become "normal" like the other emojis, Gene enlists the help of his handy best friend Hi-5 and the notorious code breaker emoji Jailbreak. Together, they embark on an epic "app-venture" through the apps on the phone, each its own wild and fun world, to find the Code that will fix Gene. But when a greater danger threatens the phone, the fate of all emojis depends on these three unlikely friends who must save their world before it's deleted forever.

The world of emojis inside smartphones.

The Emoji movie features the voice talents of T.J. Miller (Deadpool, Transformers 4) as lead protagonist Gene, a Meh emoji, Anna Faris (recently separated  from Chris Pratt) as Jailbreak, James Corden (The Late Late Show with James Corden) as Hi-5, and Maya Rudolph as Smiler.

Left to right: Gene (T.J. Miller), Hi-5 (James Corden), Jailbreak (Anna Faris)

T.J. Miller (Deadpool, Transformers 4) voices Gene, a Meh emoji with emotional issues.

Left to right: Poop (Sir Patrick Stewart), Smiler (Maya Rudolph)

Top-billed celebrity cameos include pop artist Christina Aguilera as Akiko Glitter, and Sir Patrick Stewart of X-Men / Star Trek renown as Poop (LOL!). In the world of sci-fi geek-dom, it's delightful to see Sir Patrick "loosen-up" in his late career taking on such role which would have been unimaginable of the Shakespearean actor during his days as Captain Jean-Luc Picard on Star Trek The Next Generation.

OMG, Sir Patrick Stewart (X-Men, Star Trek) is Poop Daddy!

Sir Patrick Stewart interview by Conan about being Poop Daddy.

In the context of being Poop Daddy on The Emoji Movie, our research on Sir Patrick came across this video from his sitcom series Blunt Talk which is particular hilarious in the context of this movie (watch & LOL!):

The Emoji Movie releases in Malaysian cinemas this week on 17 August 2017. Stay tuned to the latest movie updates on the official Facebook Page and website, as well as locally via Facebook for Sony Pictures Malaysia.

T.J. Miller with live emojis at a photocall during Cannes Film Festival. Photo - Reuters.

During a publicity stunt at the Cannes Film Festival in May, lead voice actor T.J. Miller parasailed in for a photocall (a media event to photograph movie features). However, after a safe landing he inadvertantly fell into the sea and thereafter remained soaked for the media event, much like the comedic elements expected in an animated film like The Emoji Movie. Whilst a wet T.J. Miller did not quite catch our attention in the news, it was the assortment of live emoji characters accompanying him during the photocall that really caught our eyes. From the publicity photos, there were at least 8 different Emoji Movie mascots sighted comprising Gene / Meh, Jailbreak, High-5, Cookie, Ice-Cream, Heart, Lips and Pizza, although Poop himself seemed missing. Read more about this Cannes photocall from Reuters.

Meet Gene and Poop here in Malaysia!

Locally we won't be seeing so many live emojis here but we have with good authority that Gene and Poop Daddy himself will be appearing for Meet & Greet sessions with fans at the following locales:

• Wednesday 16 August, 8.30pm @ GSC 1 Utama
• Friday, 18 August, 11.30am @ Sogo KL and 8.30pm @ GSC 1 Utama
• Saturday, 19 August, 3pm @ GSC IOI City Mall and 8.30pm @ GSC Midvalley Megamall
• Sunday, 20 August, 12.30pm @ GSC Midvalley Megamall and 3.30pm @ TGV KLCC
• Saturday, 26 August, 12pm & 3pm @ GSC Sunway Carnival, Seberang Jaya
• Sunday, 27 August, 1pm @ TGV 1 Utama and 4pm & 6pm @ TGV Sunway Velocity

And be careful hugging that Poop because well... you know what that emoji is meant to be!

For movie merchandise collectors, there are a bunch of Emoji Movie toys from McDonald’s® Happy Meals. For 5 weeks starting 3 August until 6 September 2017, two emoji plush characters will be available weekly:

• 3 - 9 August 2017: Gene 1 & Gene 2
• 10 - 16 August 2017: Dice & Jailbreak
• 17 - 23 August 2017: Hi-5 & Cat with Heart Eyes
• 24 - 30 September 2017: Monkey & Stop Sign
• 31 August - 6 September 2017: Frog & Slobbering Puppy

Each emoji comes with 2 expressions on each side of the plush. Grab em fast as per usual only available while stocks last.

Now for quirky fashion aficionados, Giamax has release limited edition handbags and other leather goods featuring The Emoji Movie. These official licensed movie merchandise was promoted at a Handbag Party last Saturday 12 August at Parkson Elite in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. Check out photos of the handbags, purses and backpacks below and see what took placed at the Handbag Bag from Giamax's photo album on Facebook.

Limited Edition The Emoji Movie Giamax handbags and leather products.

 

These Giamax limited edition Emoji Movie merchandise is also available now at Sogo Kuala Lumpur at the ground floor Beauty Arcade until 28 August 2017. Make a minimum purchase of RM200 worth of these Giamax products and also take home a free lips emoji cushion.

Plus join Sogo's emoji lookalike contest on Facebook to stand a chance to win 1 of 5 Emoji Movie sling bags. To participate, contestants need to post a collage of 5 photos of  their impressions as emojis with a caption by 28 August 2017. Check full terms and conditions from their Facebook contest post.

Follow Giamax on Facebook for latest news on their Emoji Movie products, including the chance to win handbags every week from their Emoji Movie x Giamax  Facebook Photo Contest. To join, take a photo at their Photo Booth backdrop as selected retail locations then post to Facebook with the hashtags #giamaxemojimovie #giamaxhandbag. Check out their Facebook post for further instructions and full terms and conditions.

Over at GSC Cinemas Emoji Movie car stickers are being given out for every 2 movie tickets purchased. There are 2 designs issued randomly in selected cineplexes only. Check at GSC website to find out which locations to redeem this promo.

Finally TGV Cinemas is offering a Limited Edition Emoji Movie member card for their Movie Club. Cards may be collected upon sign-up over the counter (membership RM30) or existing members may swap their existing cards for a fee of RM5. Find out more directly from the TGV website.

Gene with Jailbreak and Hi-5 in tow begin their App-ventures on 17 August.

Some funny memes to LOL your day:

Disclaimer: The Emoji Movie and its trademarks are copyright to Sony Pictures Animation & their respective owners, referenced here for fan service announcements without intent to infringe.

A new Man of Steel is forged!

Following the great success of rebooting Batman in the Dark Knight Trilogy, DC and Warner forges a new Man of Steel bringing the last son of Krypton back to the silver screen. This new  origin of Superman is helmed by visionary director Zack Snyder with producer Chris Nolan of Dark Knight infamy together and  veteran superhero film writer David S. Goyer. Henry Cavill dons a new blue suit and red cape (but without red underwear on the outside) as Kal-El / Clark Kent with Amy Adams as Lois Lane, supported by Hollywood heavy weights such as Russell Crowe as Jor-El, Kevin Costner as Jonathan Kent, etc. With powers akin to a god, only a global threat to humanity from fellow Kryptonians led by General Zod provide a comparable adversary to Superman, with their battles resulting in cataclysmic destruction to landscape. Man of Steel is now showing at cinemas nationwide in 2D, 3D and IMAX 3D.

Get excited over Nokia's action-packed movie trailer:

Get behind the scenes with Zack Snyder and the cast of Man of Steel in this extended featurette:

If you're still undecided whether this movie is worth your 2 hours and 22 minutes, read-up CinemaOnline's 4-star rating review here.

Superman fans may be excited to head over to Midvalley Megamall today to engage in various Man of Steel interactions: 

Find out more at Midvalley website and head over quickly to Centre Court as this Man of Steel exhibit ends on 16 June 2013. If you've already missed out, the Outpost Movie Recon Team (MRT) has identified the following Man of Steel promos to appease your appetite:

For those who haven't gotten tickets yet to Man of Steel, Maybankard Visa Debit card users spending over RM200 at participating shopping mall in Penang, Kuantan, Kota Kinabalu and Melaka can redeem 2 passes for movie screening at GSC cinemas. Goto Maybank2u.com for more details.

Or if you can wait till 20 June to watch Man of Steel, purchase your tickets online with TGV cinemas and stand a chance to official movie merchandise.

While at the cinemas, you can take home your experience of the Man of Steel with these exclusive merchandise. Superman will be bursting out of your drink from the exclusive cup toppers sold at Cathay Cineplexes, while GSC Cinemas offers a cute red caped drinks tumbler.

.

More Man of Steel merchandise is also available from these cinemas through the GSC's website contest and Cathay's Facebook contest.

Whilst there are assortments of Man of Steel merchandise available like kids tshirts, apparel and stationeries, the MRT prefer to highlight more thematic memorabilia for movie fans such as the Movie Masters series action figures below from Mattel. Find them at the nearest Toys R Us or department store.

And brick builders would also be delighted with official Man of Steel LEGO sets recreating scenes from movie, and subsequent destruction once Kryptonian fists clash (just drop your LEGO on the floor and watch them fall apart like Metropolis in the movie!). These sets seem bit hard to find and might have better pickings at various Toys R Us or LEGO themed hobby shops.

For those who are looking for Man of Steel apparel, you can use your ticket stubs from Cathay Cineplex to receive 20% off from DC Comics Super Heroes.

Needing a close shave? Purchase your shavers from Schick and you may win some Man of Steel merchandise; enter online with proof of purchase.

When shopping at Parkson, receive a limited edition Man of Steel mug with purchase of over RM100 Superman / Man of Steel products.

Conclude your shopping day or movie date at KFC and you can even get a Man of Steel umbrella with order of Movie Combo Meals. Kids ordering Chicky Meals get a Man of Steel toy or stationery instead.

Hope the Outpost MRT has provided some useful fan engagements above for the Man of Steel. Until the next recon report... up, up and away! 

Disclaimer: Superman / Man of Steel and its trademarks are copyright to their respective owners, referenced here for fan service announcements without intent to infringe.

Iron Men Assemble!

Iron Man stormed cinemas worldwide last weekend with record-breaking box office of USD193.3 million in the first 5 days from international markets (outside US), exceeding that of The Avengers last week. In Malaysia alone, the 3rd chapter in the Iron Man movie saga scored RM14.3 million domestically (source www.boxofficemojo.com).

Robert Downey Jr. returns as Tony Stark: Genius, Billionaire, Playboy, Philantropist with a suit of high-tech armour powered by an arc reactor in his chest. This time, Iron Man faces global terrorism by the mysterious Mandarin and combats an army of super-soldiers enhanced with Extremis tech to dangerous results. New director Shane Black takes the helm of Iron Man 3, which also stars Gwyneth Paltrow & Don Cheadle returning as Pepper Potts and Rhodey / War Machine / Iron Patriot, plus Ben Kingsley as the Mandarin and Guy Pearce as Aldrich Killian.  

Read up full movie review at CinemaOnline.

Want to bring home the Iron Man experience with you? The Outpost Movie Recon Team (MRT) has identified the following Iron Man goodies from your friendly neighbourhood cinemas and other movie partners:

Movie patrons of Cathay Cineplexes can purchase limited edition Iron Man 3D glasses to use in the cinema to watch Iron Man 3 as well as other 3D movies. The Real D 3D glasses comes in thematic designs for Mark 42, War Machine, Iron Patriot and Tony Stark, priced at RM25 each. A worthwhile cinema investment as 3D glasses are no longer provided / charged by Cathay, allowing savings in your 3D movie experience. Grab them while stocks last!

Whilst enjoying your Iron Man movie in Cathay, you can also purchase the Iron Man 3 Combo with includes 1 large popcorn, 1 large soft drink, 2 Nature's Valley Energy Bars and an Iron Man keychain for RM15.90:

If you are a fan of Golden Screen Cinemas instead, Iron Man premiums are also available there in form of an Iron Man 3 Metal Clip set:

Want to win some Iron Man goodies? Then join the GSC online Iron Man contest with offers an assortment of goodies like official Iron Man apparel, toys and gadgets:

More Iron Man merchandise is also up for grabs from MBO Cinemas with purchase of a Iron Man 3 ticket and combo set:

TGV cinemas provides the ultimate Iron Man 3 movie experience in IMAX 3D at Sunway Pyramid and 1 Utama. While you're enjoying your movie, TGV has their Iron Man 3 drinks tumbler set with regular popcorn for RM14.90: 

Don't forget to keep your memories and snap a photo with the IronMan3 standees and posters. While you're at TGV, snap some imaginative photos with the Iron Man 3 posters and/or standees there, then post it to Instagram with the hashtags #IronMan3 and #IMAX_TGV for chance to win more goodies:

TuneTalk has also jumped into the Stark Industries bandwagon and is providing 3 unique Iron Man 3 designed SIM cards pre-loaded with3GB data plan:

Penangites can engross their Iron Man fandom at 1st Avenue Mall with a host of thematic displays and activities on the weekend. Shoppers are also rewarded with Iron Man 3 tshirts, keychains and movie tickets by receipt redemption (while stocks last).

Selected Parkson department stores are also giving away Iron Man 3 movie tickets and recycle bags, plus chance to win an iPad for minimum purchase of Marvel toys and Chargers Outfitters Iron Man 3 apparel:

Need some toys for the kids, or the kid in you? Then head over to major toy retailers to buy some official Iron Man action figures or role-play toys from Hasbro.

There are even cute bite sized figures called MicroMuggs featuring 24 designs to collect; actually there should be up to 42 but 24 is enough collector poison!

If you want to build your Iron Men like Tony Stark instead, official LEGO Iron Man 3 building toys should be in major retailers anytime now. There are only 3 sets available, all of which feature the new Mark 42 armour, although some variety of the many other armours featured in the movie as new mini-figures would have been nice.

Trendy Iron Man fans can show off their love for the Armoured Avenger with official Iron Man 3 apparel from Superheroes United and Chargers Outfitters. In fact check out the nifty "Armour Vault" styled kiosk deployed by Superheroes United at selected TGV cinema locations, together with illusion floor art! Present your Iron Man 3 movie ticket to receive 10% off selected tshirts plus a Limited Edition Iron Man 3 paper bag:

The more budget conscious can get alternative Iron Man 3 apparel by Chargers Outfitters from Parkson departments stores.

For the even more budget conscious, Tesco has Iron Man 3 carry bags selling for only RM3.99!

Wow! That's a lot of Iron Man mania this season to enhance your movie engagement. It certainly kept our Outpost MRT busy scouting for these movie goodies.

Standby for the next Outpost MRT feature...

Disclaimer: Iron Man and its associated characters are copyright to Marvel Entertainment referenced here for fan service announcements without intent to infringe. Artwork and photographs referenced are also copyright to their respective owners and used without commercial incentive. Outpost also bears no responsibility for accuracy of information provided at time of publication.