Will Smith Gets Rave Reviews for 'Emancipation' Film, Experts See Path to Redemption After Chris Rock Slap at Oscars

Critics have praised mainly Will Smith movie after the notorious Chris Rock slap at the Oscars.

Many "Emancipation" movie reviews also discussed whether or not the film helped Smith's Hollywood comeback.

Several critics have granted four stars to the film, which was shot before this year's Oscars. However, a few have given it only two, per BBC.

Some people debated the film's release, while others focused only on its substance.

After Smith was disgraced for slapping Rock on stage at the Academy Awards in March, industry figures are awaiting the public's response to the film with great anticipation.

Critics Use Will Smith Film, Chris Rock Slap, and Jada Joke as Reference for 'Emancipation' Movie Reviews

Tim Grierson of Screen Daily stated that the scandal might make people less interested in seeing what would have been a brutal portrait of slavery anyway, but good reviews might at least get fans to look for this intense drama.

Chris Rock slap was mentioned in the headline of Robbie Collin's four-star Emancipation movie reviews for The Telegraph. He wrote, "This tough, tense chase thriller could prove Will Smith's redemption."

Collin said that Will Smith's new movie was made in the summer of 2021, before" 'The Slap' was so much as a tingle in his palm."

Some critics, like Valerie Complex of Deadline, did not talk about the slap when they talked about the movie.

Complex instead looked at the "ongoing debate" about whether movies like this are "trauma porn" or do not need to be made at a time when black people want modern stories about other kinds of heroes.

"Honestly, the thought of walking out crossed my mind several times," she said of "Emancipation," noting that seeing so much black death onscreen is exhausting and painful, and she can only take so much, even if the movie ends on a hopeful note.

However, critics brought up the Oscars incident in which Smith slapped Rock after the comedian joked about Smith's wife, Jada.

The Oscars, according to David Ehrlich of IndieWire, "ironically did, even more, to yoke the movie into Hollywood's annual horse race at its own expense."

As an example, he cited the film "The Revenant." He remarked, "Here is a $130 million prestige picture that better reflects the consequences of 'The Revenant' than those of 'Reconstruction.'"

Smith is on the cusp of being nominated for best actor at the Oscars, but the competition in that category is fierce.

Will Smith and Antoine Fuqua Are up for an Oscar for Their Movie 'Emancipation'

Will Smith quit AMPAS after the slapping incident at the 94th Oscars. He would be barred from attending future ceremonies and other Academy-related activities for a decade.

However, the film, its stars, or its crew could still be nominated for or win an award during that time.

If Smith were to be nominated this time, winning over people who had previously opposed him would be far more challenging.

Actors branch members have differing opinions on how voters in the industry could see Smith due to his actions at the previous ceremony, subsequent suspension, and fallout in his popularity.

Remember that 1,303 people can vote in the actors' branch, and a candidate needs 217 votes to be nominated, and there will be people who do not like Smith.

Because of this, even if he beats the odds and makes it into the top five for a lead actor when the nearly 10,000 Academy members vote, he may not win.

However. one member said that the actor's problems would not change how the vote goes. He said if Smith is good, then he is good, Variety noted.

The public relations for the Academy could suffer if "Emancipation" is named the best picture.

Will Smith is credited as a producer on the film, and he, along with Todd Black, Joey McFarland, and Jon Mone, would be up for an Oscar if they were nominated.

If a significant film is nominated, but its sole Black producer and maybe sole Black actor are barred from attending the event, the public will be outraged.

The Academy should keep the rule because of this. The fact remains that Smith would tie Jordan Peele for the most nominations ever received by a Black producer with a third nomination should he be so fortunate.

The organization will have to maintain defending its verdict over Smith's activities and promote its diversity successes over the past few years.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: 'Emancipation' Official Trailer Starring Will Smith - From Access Hollywood