Movie: Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 


My Rating: 2 stars 


Release Date: 2008 


Directors: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller 


Cast:

• Bill Hader, (Adventureland, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian) as Flint Lockwood
• Anna Faris, (Waiting . . ., Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel)  as Sam Sparks
• Neil Patrick Harris, (Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Justice League: The New Frontier,) as Steve the Monkey
• James Caan, (El Dorado, Elf,) as Tim
• Bruce Campbell, (The Love Bug, Spiderman 2, Spiderman 3,) as the Mayor
• Andy Samberg, (Space Chimps, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist) as Baby Brent
• Mr T. (Rocky III, Inspector Gadget,) as Earl

 
 
Rating: PG 


Premise: Young inventor Flint Lockwood doesn’t seem to have much luck.  While his ideas seem like a good idea at the time, they never quite work.  For example, his fantastic spray on shoes that were created to solve the untied shoes epidemic, goes awry when he finds he cannot remove his new footwear.  His hair “unbalder” grows too much hair, and the hybrid rat-birds he created, “escaped and bred at a surprising rate.”  Undaunted, Flint continues, trying to invent something that will save his small town of Swallow Falls.  This little town on a little island in the Atlantic Ocean once was a place where sardines were produced in factories.  However, an economic downturn hurts the little town, so all they have left to eat are sardines.  Flint decides that to fix this problem, he will create a machine that will turn water into food. Unfortunately a little mishap causes his newly invented machine to be lost in the atmosphere, ruin an ambitious young weather reporter’s first day on the job, and cause his father embarrassment and disappointment.  Surprisingly the little machine actually works, and soon the entire town enjoys food from the sky for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Flint begins to enjoy the appreciation of the whole town, but still can’t seem to impress his father.  However, when things go horribly wrong, Flint, his friends, and his father have to work together and overcome obstacles to save the world from a food disaster.   


Production:  I first saw this movie in theatres and in 3D, and I was very impressed with the production values.  However, I will be frank, without the 3D effects, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs does little to hold your attention.  Although aspects of it are cute, and the story line is interesting, this movie will probably not be one that you will want to watch over and over.  That being said, it is a good little movie for a Friday night where you have nothing better to watch, and it can be quite entertaining for younger children who love the vividly colored animation. The interesting relationship between father and son is well played in the movie, and many children in today’s culture will probably be able to relate to that. For those of you who read and loved the movie’s namesake book as a child, this movie will probably be a fun, lighthearted reminder of one of your favorite stories.   


Cautions: Some mild sensuality, some mild language 


Hardly anything here at all.  There was some very mild language, and a few “kissing scenes” but other than that, very little that could offend.   


Conclusion: Over all, this movie probably won’t be a family staple, but it will be a good movie for an occasionally viewing on a Friday night.  The cleanness of the film makes it excellent for children of all ages, and if you ever get the opportunity to watch it in 3D, I would heartily recommend that you take full advantage of the chance to appreciate the stunning 3D work of the film.