Fine dining in the sky: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Posted by The Skyliner on September 30th, 2009Kyra Alexander
Staff Writer
The timeless tale has been adapted from Ron and Judi Barrett’s book, which illustrates a world where giant pancakes and pasta fall from the sky as a scientist tries to solve world hunger. However, things go terribly wrong when excess amounts of food overload cities and towns. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs was released on September 18, and brought in more than $30 million.
Inspired by the beloved children’s book, the film focuses on a town where food falls from the sky like rain. Bill Hader is the voice of Flint Lockwood, a young inventor who dreams of creating something that will improve everyone’s life. Anna Faris takes on the role of Sam Sparks, a weather girl covering the phenomenon who hides her intelligence behind a perky exterior. James Caan plays Tim Lockwood, Flint’s technophobic father. Andy Samberg plays Brent, the town bully who has plagued Flint since childhood. Bruce Campbell plays Mayor Shelbourne, who figures out that Flint’s invention can put the town, and more importantly himself, on the map. Mr. T plays the by-the-rules town cop Earl Devereaux, and Tracy Morgan takes on the role of Earl’s rule-breaking son, Cal.
According to IMDB.com, directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller directed a show called Clone High and do some of the extra voices in the movie.
Some positive elements of the movie are: Flint grows up in a very loving family. As a kid, when one of his experiments backfires, Flint is terribly embarrassed and demoralized, but his mom prods him out of his funk by giving him encouragement and speaking of her love for him and her belief in him; and a father in town, Earl the police officer, repeatedly expresses love for his child as well. In fact, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs is one of those rare movies that casts dads in a very positive light, showing fathers who face intimidating difficulties to protect and aid their children.
Some negative aspects of the movie are: When Flint considers taking his father’s advice and turning off the food machine, the mayor takes on the role of devil’s advocate and seductively whispers in Flint’s ear, saying, “Keep it on and be great or turn it off and ruin everything—and no one will like you;” and that’s not negative, but this might qualify: The adult Brent shows up at a town event and strips to nothing but a diaper to mimic the old photo.
According to pluggedinonline.com, “Amidst all the outlandish fried chicken cloudbursts and ice cream snow storms, there are some very winning thoughts about making wise choices. There are entertaining encouragements to resist the world’s narcissistic expectations and the lure of fame. And there is a heartwarming affirmation that, in spite of miscues and failings, a loving family is more valuable than just about anything.”
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is rated PG for brief mild language.
Tags: Fall 2009, Vol. 109 - Issue 4