Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs (2009) Jim’s Take

Rated PG for brief mild language.

90 min

Directed By: Phil Lord & Chris Miller

Written By: Judi Barrett & Ron Barrett

Prepare to get served

Review:

This movie left me feeling sick and in a food induced coma.  It is not because I did not enjoy the movie, its literally because I ate too much popcorn which I did not think was possible!?  Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs is a fun story for the dreamer and inventor inside of all of us.  I happened to see this in 3D and think I would have been fine seeing it in 2D.  More on that point later, on with the review!

The plot is very simple and follows the life of inventor and geek extraordinaire, Flint Lockwook, voiced by Bill Hader.  Flint had been inventing interesting gadgets that no one had a use for since he was a kid.   From spray on shoes, rat birds and a remote controlled television (it walks to you to change the channel).  All of which have not gone exactly as planned and given him a reputation of being a little crazy in the seaside town that he has grown up in.  The only one who believes in him and understands him is his mother.  Soon the town falls on hard times after the sardine factory closes down and most of the towns businesses are forced to close.  As usual Flint has been working on a new invention that will turn water into food but so far has been unsuccessful because he has not had enough power.  Just like most inventions a lot of luck goes into being successful.  Flint has not had much luck in past inventions and his newest seems to be headed down the same path.  After tapping into the towns power plant to give his invention power everything goes awry and makes a mess of the town and the Mayor’s unveiling of Sardine Land.

At first the town members are furious at Flint for destroying the town but soon the invention begins working hamburgers begin falling from the sky!  Thankfully there is a meteorologist that has been sent to cover the towns opening of the Sardine themed amusement park which sheds a worldwide spotlight on their town as a tourist destination.  Flint may have actually saved the day or is it only a matter of time for things to go sour?

The cast is very well rounded but I did not know who most of them were until I had actually watched the credits.  The only voice I actually recognized was Mr. T whose voice is unmistakable as Earl the town police officer.  I did not do much research into who else was starring in the film like I did with other movies I see.  Believe it or not I did not recognize the voices of Bill Hader who voices Flint Lockwood, Anna Faris who voices Sam Sparks the weather girl and Flints love interest.  I did not recognize some of the other actors either.   Some of the other talented actors include James Caan as Flint’s father.  Bruce Campbell as the hilarious town mayor and  Andy Samberg as Baby Brent.  Other actors included Neil Patrick Harris, Benjamin Bratt, Will Forte and Al Roker.  I guess I am losing my hearing or I was so immersed in what I was watching to notice who the actors were.

There was something about the animation that I did not enjoy.  I guess I have been spoiled by the great detail that is used in their films.  I also love how Pixar does a far better job of making you care about the characters.  I did not feel invested in the characters as much as I did in Up or Wall-E.  I loved Monsters vs. Aliens and if the film had been made in manner that you could actually tell who was playing some of the voices it would have been more enjoyable.

The Bottom Line:

Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs would have been a sunny surprise instead of the slushy mess that I think it is if it were not for the poor animation, poor use of 3D.  If you ware interested in taking your family to see this I HIGHLY recommend you see it in 2D over 3D, it is not necessary.  This will not be a movie that I will be buying or seeing again unless it is on television.  Go see ANY Pixar film over this!