Children’s books are becoming the properties to adapt to film these days. “Twilight” is popular (although it is a teen novel); one of the most anticipated films of this year is “Where the Wild Things Are;” and this weekend ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs‘ opened nationwide.
Sam Spark voiced by Anna Farris in Columbia Pictures' animated film CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS.
Based upon a popular children’s book by the same name, ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs‘ is set in a Podunk fishing island. An aspiring inventor named Flint, voiced by Bill Hader of Saturday Night Live fame, fails at almost everything in life, but he has finally invented a worthwhile gadget: a machine that converts water into food. As mishaps ensue, the machine somehow gets launched into the sky, and causes food to rain from the sky. Greed throughout the town of Chewandswallow brings disaster as the food piles up on the island. Flint must save the town from impending doom, as is the usual ending for movies like this. It isn’t a particularly ingenious plot, but it intertwines its elements well and is rather funny.
The animation of the film is something that bugged me at first. While seeing trailers for it, I noticed how different it is from the drawing style in the book. Rather than animating the hand drawn, carefully crafted style of the book, Sony Animation Studios opted for cartoony and very colorful characters and environments. The opening credits alone set the film apart from the book buy using a retro-futuristic look of the 60s. The character looks are somewhat childish and took a while to accept, but it is effective and works well.
A spaghetti twister in Columbia Pictures' animated film CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS.
The comedy of the film is childish at times and brilliant other times. The film was written by some of the “How I Met Your Mother” tv show writers, yet they tone down their adult humor to make this an enjoyable kids film. One of the funniest things is a simple reference to the famous “Twilight Zone” gremlins episode, this time with gummy bears attacking an airplane wing. No kids will understand the reference, but the comedy is layered well enough that they have other elements to enjoy.
The voice talent for the film is a pretty big cast. No characters are A-list stars, but there are so many recognizable names that it doesn’t matter. James Caan voices Flint’s dad; Anna Faris the young love interest; Andy Samberg as the town idiot; Bruce Campbell as the town mayor; Mr. T as the town cop; and Neil Patrick Harris is the pet monkey. All fit their characters well, and do a great job adding depth to a very blasé plotline.
Baby Brent voiced by Andy Samberg in Columbia Pictures' animated film CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS.
The most impressive thing of “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” is the 3D element. While it is released in both 2D and 3D, the 3D adds the extra depth to help this film look even more impressive. It never resorts to gimmicks such as throwing things at the audience. The camera angles are great to develop a good film look and to take advantage of the extra plane of view. The 3D in the film is just as effective as “Up” was earlier this year.
Ultimately, “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” never rises to the level of great film. The intended audience is children, and not much beyond that. Adults can enjoy it, but it never attempts to capture universal themes like all Pixar movies. The theme is somewhat flawed as well. It tries to preach communication between kids and parents, yet even in the end, the father is not communicating well with Flint. I do however believe that it tries to preach the same morals as “Meet the Robinsons” did a few years ago: follow your dreams and don’t give up on them.
Flint Lockwood voiced by Bill Hader with Sam Sparks voiced by Anna Faris in Columbia Pictures' animated film CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS.
“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” is a decent film, and it will make lots of money due to it being the only kid’s movie out. It isn’t the best film out, but it certainly isn’t the worst. It is a fun comedy and looks impressive in 3D.
Grade: C (2 out of 4 stars)
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs – Trailer
Directed by Phil Lord, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs stars voice talent: Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Bruce Campbell and Andy Samberg.
More Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
- Summary
- Cast & Crew
- Videos
- Stills
- News
- MovieSet Spotlight: ‘Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs’
- Mr. T and NPH Together at Last! This A Team is Eating Meatballs
- Weekend Trailer Round-up Part 2 – Meatballs, Gamers + Gi Joes
- Anna Faris and Andy Samberg throw Meatballs at Comic Con
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