Rainy With a Chance of Meatballs (Movie Review)
Sunday night is our usual movie night for our little family, if the kids have been good during the week (and weekend). Generally they have been, and so we have a bit of a chore trying to find something that suits both the younger (3) and older (8) girl. Unfortunately, this generally means that the younger one starts watching and then gives up because it gets too scary and then she and my wife retreat upstairs with the tablet to watch something more appropriate.
This leaves me with the older one watching something that I'm not really that interested in (just for reference, I generally LOVE animated stuff!).... For a few weeks (or maybe longer...) my wife had been suggesting Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs for the older girl to watch. Yesterday, as she was doing the washing up, I found Het Regent Gehaktballen (It Rains Meatballs) and my older one and I suggested it as the movie of the night... at which my wife gave me an evil look saying that she had been suggesting that for ages....
However, she didn't think that it would be good for the younger one... but we let her start anyway... she is really into food of all sorts, so she actually wanted to watch as well! So how did the movie night go? How was the movie?
The Setup
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs was released in 2009 (wow... that long ago?!?!?!!... I can't believe I missed it!) by Sony Pictures and was based on a book of the same name written in 1978 by Judi and Ron Barrett.
The movie tells the story of a genius if somewhat eccentric and accident prone inventor (Flynt Lockwood) growing up in the sardine obsessed town of Swallow Falls. After a long line of successful inventions with unexpected consequences, Flynt designs a machine that changes water into food... and transforms the local climate into a buffet of on-demand delicacies! Meanwhile, the intern of the Weather Channel (Sam Sparks) is sent to the backwater town to report on the local weather...
My Thoughts
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs is a quirky and completely crazy fast paced romp! High Energy would be quite an understatement... however,all that energy is not without purpose. It reflects the manic energy of the central character (Flynt) and his genius mind being sidetracked by every interesting little thing. Sam Sparks is a great accompanying character to Flynn, she is the female equivalent... however, she wasn't encouraged when she was young to pursue her interests, instead, shamed into conforming with the least embarrassing and socially awkward route.
As a foil to these hugely energetic characters are the camera operator and Flynn's father. Magically understated in style and character, these two people are crucial elements to the story and character development of the main two characters.
All the other supporting characters are really quite stereotyped and a bit one-dimensional but it is more than enough for this little energetic escapade. There doesn't need to be huge amounts of depth in them... and it does allow for some serious comic gold!
Speaking of which... this movie is just comic genius from start to finish! I was riveted (I put my phone and computer away!) and both my kids and wife (and me...) were doubled over laughing all the time! There is rapid fire sucession of quality jokes in witty style... for both kids and adults!
Conclusion
Most Sunday movie nights... I am generally not so interested in what the kids choose.... and I do love kids movies. However, things like Happy Feet (last week's choice) are not really up my alley... I do love Pixar though!
However, with Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs... I had to just put everything down and watch and laugh along with the kids! They loved it... and I loved it... and we are ready to watch Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2... if only we can convince my wife that two movies in a week is definitely a good idea!
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Oh I saw this animation some time ago. It wasn't exactly my speed because I'm more into Japanese anime. I won't mind making food rain though.
Ha... each to their own! I find anime difficult to watch, but the last time I tried was about two decades ago and it was Ghost in the Shell... I really should try again, but it is really quite a different style!
Ah yeah, I watched Ghost in a shell. That's the one about that Cyborg.
Try watching Attack on Titans or Naruto Shippuden, it is a completely different vibe. I also prefer Japanese dub with English subtitles because it feels more original.