How to describe Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs…
Weird. Wonderful. And covered in ice cream!
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is the latest animated feature from Sony, and is based on the 1978 children’s book by Judi and Ron Barrett. The movie follows the life of Flint Lockwood, genius (if rather accident prone) inventor, who lives on a tiny island in the Atlantic, and who’s main source of food is sardines.
Sick of the all fish diet, Flint’s invents a gadget is designed to make food out of water. After his first attempt fails, he takes the ‘logical step’ that it just needs more power… Hooking it up to the main power station, it shoots the machine up into the clouds only for it start to rain food, turning Flint into a celebrity and giving him the recognition he’s always wanted… That is until things start to go awry…
Rather than go for A list celebrity cameos directors Phil Lord & Chris Miller went for talent that just really suited the characters. Lockwood, voiced by Bill Hader (Saturday Night Live) has a great childlike enthusiasm, and Anna Faris (Scary Movie 1, 2 and 3) matches him voicing intern weather reporter & love interest Sam Sparks. James Caan turns in a great understated vocal as Flint’s long suffering father, and the legendary Bruce Campell provides the voice for the greedy mayor. The show stealing performance though comes from Mr. T. as the tough (but ultimately good hearted) small town cop Earl Devereaux.
Cloudy might not be right up there with the WALL-Es and UPs of computer-animated movies, but the animation is perfectly fine, and has an entertaining plot that moves along a great pace. It’s a charming, funny and brilliantly surreal tale that both kids and parents will love.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is released on DVD and Blu-Ray, Monday 25th Jan 2010.
