Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2009
This movie seemed like it could be interesting, but I never got around to watching it. Eventually I got a great deal on the blu-ray and finally watched it. As Pixar made it big, a lot of the big studios started their own animation sections with some successes, but mostly mixed results. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is based on a children’s book and made by Sony’s animation studio. It is mostly silly and a little by the numbers as a nerdy inventor type comes up with a machine that can make food from water and it gets out of control. There are some pretty good voice actors behind the characters including Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Mr. T, and Andy Samberg. The story moves along pretty well and there are plenty of jokes including a few nuggets for grownups, plus some good visual wonder as the sky rains giant food and characters walk into jello. There is a small attempt at character development as the inventor tries to repair a relationship with his father and get a girlfriend, but it seems perfunctory. The girlfriend actually has a little interest as a cute, energetic weather channel intern/reporter who tries to hide that she is actually really smart so that people will like her. The movie works, but I feel like it could have been better.
Written: 02 Aug 2020
Owned on: Blu-ray, Digital