The 2017 YouTube Rewind video is a mess

The YouTube Rewind video for 2017 is - quite literally - a mess. Photo / YouTube

YouTube has released its annual YouTube Rewind video, looking back at some of the key moments of 2017. And viewers aren't impressed.

The Shape of 2017 burns through a whole lot of pop culture references from the past year at breakneck speed, with viral hits of the year Shape of You by Ed Sheeran and Despacito providing the soundtrack.

There are references to 'Salt Bae', the kid who interrupted a BBC interview, and, of course, fidget spinners.

There's also a strange interlude that includes news footage about terrorist attacks played through a YouTube symbol hanging in space.

It's a five-and-a-half-minute assault on the senses – and viewers think it's a mess.

"YouTube rewind has this creepy infantile and sterile Nickelodeon/Disney channel vibe to it," wrote one Twitter user. "Cringeworthiness aside there's something offputting about that being the way they want the platform to be perceived."

As another pointed out, "In one day, the 2017 edition of YouTube Rewind got more dislikes than the 2016 edition ever had."

YouTube rewind has this creepy infantile and sterile Nickelodeon/Disney channel vibe to it. Cringeworthiness aside there’s something offputting about that being the way they want the platform to be perceived.

— Lyle Rath (@LyleRath) December 7, 2017

In one day, the 2017 edition of YouTube Rewind got more dislikes than the 2016 edition ever had.

Shit's real bad. pic.twitter.com/SBfEQ9RmGj

— rabbidluigi #BlackLivesMatter (@rabbidluigi) December 7, 2017

Is it me or is YouTube Rewind video just kinda weird?

— Cody Crouch (@iTwe4kz) December 7, 2017

My distaste for things like YouTube Rewind is the false corporate "GEE-GOLLY, EVERYTHING IS HAPPY AND SWELL!" tone. YouTube spent a whole year making life a living hell for it's creators and now wants to celebrate itself as if everything's okay.

— 💀 The Horror Guru 2020 💀 (@TheHorrorGuru) December 7, 2017

my favorite part of youtube rewind was the bit about terrorism shown inside a giant youtube play button, in space. really good stuff

— savannah brown (@savannahbrown) December 7, 2017

wow just watched youtube rewind 2017 I thought it got worse every year but wow they really outdid themselves this year that video was horrible

— Ash 🕛 (@loonanese) December 7, 2017

youtube rewind was trash again but that shouldn't be a surprise to anyone

— ★ alex ★ blm (@_alextwt) December 7, 2017