Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009)

Directors:

Phil Lord
Chris Miller

Writers:

Judi Barrett (book)
Ron Barrett (book)

Release Date:

18 September 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Family

Tagline:

Prepare to get served

Plot:

The most delicious event since macaroni met cheese. Inspired by the beloved children's book, the film focuses on a town where food falls from the sky like rain. |

Plot Keywords:

Food | 3 Dimensional | Computer Animation

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 6 nominations

Cast

Bill Hader	...	Flint Lockwood (voice)
Anna Faris	...	Sam Sparks (voice)
James Caan	...	Tim Lockwood (voice)
Andy Samberg	...	'Baby' Brent (voice)
Bruce Campbell	...	Mayor Shelbourne (voice)
Mr. T	...	Earl Devereaux (voice)
Bobb'e J. Thompson	...	Cal Deveraux (voice)
Benjamin Bratt	...	Manny (voice)
Neil Patrick Harris	...	Steve (voice)
Al Roker	...	Patrick Patrickson (voice)
Lauren Graham	...	Fran Lockwood (voice)
Will Forte	...	Joe Towne (voice)
Max Neuwirth	...	Young Flint (voice)
Peter Siragusa	...	Rufus (voice)
Angela Shelton	...	Regina Devereaux (voice)

Also Known As:

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs: An IMAX 3D Experience (USA) (IMAX version)

MPAA:

Rated PG for brief mild language.

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Japan:G | Argentina:Atp | USA:PG | USA:PG (certificate #45404) | Ireland:G | Singapore:G | UK:U | South Korea:All | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Brazil:Livre | Netherlands:AL | New Zealand:G | Australia:G | South Africa:PG | Mexico:AA | Norway:7 | Finland:K-7 | Hong Kong:I

Company:

Sony Pictures Animation

Trivia:

Near the end of the film when character Earl Devereaux jumps through a tortilla chip, a giant letter T is left behind, resembling the voice actor Mr. T.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the ice cream scene Cal wakes up in pyjamas but in the next shot he looks though the window and he's already wearing his coat.

Quotes:

Earl Devereaux: I love you, son.
Cal Deveraux: I know, dad. You tell me every day.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Wheel of Fortune: Season Premiere from Las Vegas 4 (#27.4)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

Fight the Power

Not only does justice to the book but takes its own sweep of originality and charm

Anyone involved with the elementary school world as at least heard of the Barret classic "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs." As a teacher, I was thrilled to learn it was to be made a movie. As usual, however, that leads to the problem of whether it would stick too much to the book to be entertaining for the screen or a Hollywood catastrophe that steals only the title?

I know it's irritating to read from those book loyalists, but it's only a fair comparison. I felt this movie found a perfect balance of big-screen awesomeness and the charm of the book.

For book enthusiasts, they pretty much had everything right. This film does indeed follow the plot of the book. Entire illustrations are recreated for the movie with stunning nods to Ron Barret's artwork. Then again, one must keep in mind that the book was an extremely general plot. The movie goes into detail, very much into detail, of what was going on in the town.

We have the classic nerd, Flint Lockwood, a lovable and goofy character who embodies the wannabe coolness and social awkwardness and desperation of every social outcast. He's almost painful to watch, but I think it's what makes him so likable--you feel sorry for him. Anywho, in a desperate attempt to prove his worth to his father, he invents a machine that turns water into food. And hence the coming of the trademark weather of Swallow Falls (later renamed to Barrets' Chewandswallow).

Honestly, I was surprised at the plot they got going out of this--while still maintaining the basics of the book. It had an ADHD spirit with wonderfully over-the-top characters. This will probably annoy many a soul, but I thought it a winning combination for those who can put up with it all. Really, you need the heart and mind of a child for this, but if you can summon those up, you will be impressed.

I saw it in the normal format, but I'm sure it was an intense hoot in 3D. That might have been a bit much for me, but I'm sure the kids loved food flying at them. Regardless, the animation was stunning, combining a tribute to Ron Barret's amazing illustrations in background with pleasantly cartoony characters.

This was much better than expected. It was creative, extremely fun, and paid reference to everything from "Independence Day" to "The Twilight Zone". You may need the heart and mind of a child for this, but if you can summon those up, you will be impressed.