Is it really that bad?

No. If you didn't realize, the people on IMDb, have no intelligence whatsoever when it comes to voting, for they lack what is really needed.
What they lack is what they'll never get.
They're too judgmental about this film, to even give it a chance, heck they criticized it harshly before it came out!
Though the ones that HAVE watched it, agree that this isn't the best film out there. But is still not as bad as people say it is. An appropriate score would be 6.2-7.0 .
Don't believe that score of 3.8, it's just an indicator of how people like to rate a film before watching it. My little siblings enjoyed it thoroughly, and I'm not the one to disagree with them.
I think that people are comparing this to the TDK, thus having really high standards for this film. Don't compare it.
People also criticized it's marketing campaign, and commented on how idiotic it was. Well, don't judge a film just by it's marketing campaign, for everyone knows that 99% of the big-budgeted films suck.
Professional critics, haven't blasted this film as much as IMDb, you know why? Because they've actually seen it, and it isn't that bad as IMDb tells us. Just a bunch of hypocrites voting with no thought involved.

Not the best of movies, but entertaining if you have young kids with you, where you'll hear them laugh, and as the credits roll you'll get that sense of satisfaction knowing that this film has enlightened and made this film a film worthwhile for not only your kids, but you. With good morals, to teach them... don't take them to Batman where the morals lack what is needed for younger audiences.

Don't listen to this IMDb, bull. Just a site filled with arrogant, dim-witted voters. Who can't tell the difference between a good film or a bad film.

Go see it.

I saw it yesterday with my six and three year old sons. I fell asleep. (That never has happened before in an animated film).

My sons can barely remember any dialog or what the story was about. It's almost a collection of scenes thrown together hoping to make a movie.

It does not deserve a rating above a six. And, only a child would rate rate it that high. I gave it three.

I went to see this after being invited by one of my friends and his 8 yr old son. I don't know how us adults survived this movie, LOL. On the upside, tho, the little one enjoyed it.

I'm a 71 year old grandfather who took 2 of his grandsons (aged 6 and 10) to see this movie. They completely enjoyed it. From an adult's perspective, it's true the movie doesn't light any fires. Nor is it meant to do so. Folks, it's a cartoon just like the old Bugs Bunny, Road Runner, Micky Mouse, etc. cartoons. It's not meant to entertain anyone over the age of 11 or twelve. Which is why I don't understand all the negative comments from those who clearly seem well beyond that age. It's not the Dark Night guys and gals. The bottom line is that it's an enteertaining film for youngsters and the young at heart.

Blind are they who cannot see the light, or the value of reason.

I took my friend's 7 year old to it the other day. Not the best movie I've ever seen but it certainly wasn't the worst. It's a cute kiddie movie.

I just took my little sister to see it. I wasn't too interested but she really wanted to go see it. She loved it. While it was hardly groundbreaking and I wouldn't go out of my way to see it again I still thought it was an enjoyable way to pass an hour and a half. I left the cinema feeling satisfied mainly because my sister really enjoyed it and that was the main reason I was there to see it in the first place.

Well somehow it is that bad in my opinion. Personally I would think that a rating of 5 would be ok for this movie.
It is too flat and I know - as most of you, I guess - much better children movies offering a much better story. Besides the alien design, which is somehow cute and may be matches childrens perception, everything is 'flat' in this movie: Story, the villan, the music etc. There is no moment taking the viewer, like in other movies, there is no big emotion.
However, it is not this bad and absolutely watchable but no big hit. Wall-E is cuter, much more lovable and laughable and boasts of ideas.
Watchable on DVD but better rent it, rather than buy it.

3.8 is a ridiculous rating. It's a fine movie for kids, and totally deserves a 6-7 rating. I thought there were many funny lines and situations, and I think it will be one of the more classic animated movies, enjoyed by kids for decades to come. It's totally as good as many classic Disney features. It seems to me that was people are objecting to when they give this movie a low rating is that it's sci-fi. A lot of parents just don't get the appeal of sci-fi, unless they have been life-long sci-fi fans.