MOVIE REVIEW: CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS

ENGLISH - U - 15 October 2009 - Animation/Family
Distributor: Sony Pictures
Running Time: 91 mins.
Directors: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
Producer: Pam Marsden
Writers: (Screenplay) Phil Lord, Christopher Miller; (Book) Judi Barrett, Ron Barrett
Starring: Bill Hader, Anna Faris, Neil Patrick Harris, James Caan, Bruce Campbell, Andy Samberg
Plot: Flint Lockwood (Bill Hader) always wanted to invent something awesome. When the town’s economy fell, it left the town in hard times, leaving sardines as the only food in Swallow Falls. Flint finally comes up with an invention that converts water into food. People begin to praise Flint's invention and ask him for requests of food to rain down. However, things becoming only worst when the machine Flint built is now out of control.

The Verdict:

Green Tea Bern says:

Desiring for some sphagetti and pizza? Here you have some, introducing a concept that is out of this world, with pizza, meatballs and even ice-creams all in the rain. Loosely based on the children book of the same title, the animated silver screen serves a delicious yet yummy ride for the auidience.

Plot-wise, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs offers a great insightful of weird, crazy and wild ideas. Making food from a rain is something unique, something different perspective subject matter to make into a film. Thus, the movie is intelligently playful and consistently derives the absolute fantasy and imaginations to the greater level while retaining the huge degree of engagement.

Besides the interesting themes, the plot is well-paced and yet fast at the same time. It gives a condense story-telling and does not have dragging scenes to bore the audience. Nevertheless, the plot comes with a mouth-watering 3D technology that will make the audience impressed so much for its animated features.

While the joyride has always been fun, it is still a clear differences between the first part and the latter part of the movie. The first part is presented with great acknowledgement and wild fantasy that gives plenty of enjoyment. For the second part, the story goes down with the uninspiring finale on how to dismantle the problem.

The casts of B-rated stars headlined by the pretty impressive Bill Hader as the main character of Flint Lockwood. The characterization was ample for his, while the wild, crazy and humor sides are equally divided to make this character balance. Another praise for Anna Faris whom despite been comedic and non-sense in Scary Movie films, she is less irritating and easier to chew in this movie.

While the effects are exhilirating, the 3D scenes are simply breathtaking. If you have not see this movie yet, go and catch it in 3D because the satisfying notes and the WOW-factors are a guarantee. This may not be an animation for many, but this is a great animation to endure with. Still fancy for meatball sphagetti?

THE RATING...

STORY - 3.5 stars

CASTS - 4.0 stars

CINEMATOGRAPHY - 4.5 stars

EFFECTS - 4.5 stars

Overall - 4.0 stars

Green-Tea-O-Meter: 15.8