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Based on a children’s book written by Judi Barrett and illustrated by Ron Barrett, “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” is the third feature to be released by Sony Pictures Animation, the studio behind “Open Season” and “Surf’s Up,” and certainly its best work to date. Utilizing a top-notch cast headlined by Bill Hader and Anna Farris and directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller — the creators of the cult cartoon “Clone High,” — “Meatballs” has the perfect mix of jokes aimed at kids and adults, with a sharp and funny wit that provides endless amounts of chuckles, smiles and the occasional burst of laughter.
Expanding on the original story, “Meatballs” tells of Flint Lockwood, a young inventor who is constantly trying to improve his small town’s way of life with crazy inventions such as “The Hair Un-Balder” and “RatBirds.” His latest invention is one that will turn water into food, saving his fellow townspeople from diets that consist mainly of sardines. But eventually things go haywire, and the machine is shot skyward and soon turns the moisture in the atmosphere into food. At first the food from the heavens is seen as miraculous, but as the food gets bigger and causes more damage, Flint must destroy the machine he created before the world is covered with giant food.
One of the major selling points in the film’s marketing campaign is the use of 3-D, which until recently was seen as nothing more then a gimmick brought out by producers desperate to cut down on illegal bootlegs and movie piracy. But in a year with Henry Selick’s “Coraline” and Pixar’s “Up,” 3-D has finally proven itself as more than an excuse to charge an extra three bucks per ticket. The animated world lends itself perfectly to the effects of 3-D, allowing itself to be expanded and immersive in a way that live action 3-D has yet to match.
Another strength is the film’s vocal casting choices, creating an ensemble cast comprised of Hader as Flint, Farris as his love interest, Sam, Bruce Campbell as the villainous mayor, James Caan as Flint’s technophobic father and Mr. T as the local police chief. This broad range of voice talent and celebrity comes together perfectly; not one outshines the other, creating one of the strongest and funniest ensemble animated casts since “A Bug’s Life.”
Although “Meatballs” tries on occasion to make some slight social statements — obesity is mentioned, as is the oft-used moral “be true to yourself” — the main goal of the writers and directors is to make you laugh and marvel at the spectacle of food falling from the skies. At this it truly succeeds. It’s a breezy 90 minutes with great animation and laughs aplenty, and with the 3-D, it is a great time at the movies.
Grade: B+
Bangor Daily News