Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 Review

Rated PG (Mild Rude Humor)

Running Time: 1 Hour & 35 Minutes

Cast (voice)-

Bill Hader-Flint Lockwood

Anna Faris-Samantha 'Sam' Sparks

James Caan-Tim Lockwood

Terry Crews-Officer Earl Devereaux

Andy Samberg-Brent McHale

Benjamin Bratt-Manny

Neil Patrick Harris-Steve the Monkey

Will Forte-Chester V

Kristen Schaal-Barb the Orangutan

Cody Cameron-Barry the Strawberry/Dill Pickle

Melissa Sturm-Sentinel Louise/Live Corp Scientist

Kris Pearn-Sentinel Peter/Lab-coat Jenny

Craig Kellman-Fintly McCallahan/Idea Pants Guy

Khamani Griffin-Cal Devereaux

Bridget Hoffman-Young Flint Lockwood

Directed by Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn

Is it weird that I find Sam Sparks attractive? Must be the glasses.

Note: Screened on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at the Sony Wonder Technology Lab. Strangely, the film was not shown in 3D.

Before "The Smurfs" came along and racked up half a billion dollars worldwide, 2009's "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" was the closest thing Sony Pictures Animation had to a bona-fide hit. Founded in May 2002, the studio made its feature-length debut in 2006 with "Open Season," which went on to gross a respectable $197.3 million worldwide despite mixed reviews. 2007's "Surf's Up" fared better with critics thanks to the story's mockumentary approach but it disappointed at the domestic box office as its release followed a string of films that also happened to feature penguins. Then came Phil Lord and Chris Miller's "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs," a loose adaptation of the beloved 1978 children's book of the same name by Judi and Ron Barrett. The fledgling animation studio finally achieved the critical acclaim that had eluded them since its inception as the film received highly enthusiastic reviews (87% on Rotten Tomatoes) and earned over $240 million worldwide. Sure, these results didn't measure up to the likes of Pixar and DreamWorks Animation but nonetheless, it proved that Sony had a few good tricks up its sleeve. Four years later, we have the obligatory sequel, "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2," based on an original idea rather than the Barrett's follow-up book, 2000's Pickles to Pittsburgh. Lord and Miller, who are currently hard at work on "The Lego Movie" and "22 Jump Street" (both set to be released next year), are serving as executive producers this time around. Fortunately, the switch to new directors Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn is relatively seamless and kids won't even notice the change. It doesn't break any new ground as far as story-telling goes but "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2" remains a visual delight that's backed up by the series' trademark quirky humor and energetic voice acting.

All his life, Flint Lockwood (Bill Hader) aspired to be a great inventor but despite his best intentions and creative ingenuity, all the devices he creates end up being complete disasters. When the small island town of Swallow Falls, located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, suffers a food shortage due to the local sardine cannery closing down, Flint creates a device called the 'Flint Lockwood Diatonic Super Mutating Dynamic Food Replicator' (or FLDSMDFR for short) to solve the problem. The machine transforms plain old water into any kind of food a person would want but the townspeople's endless requests lead to the food to 'over-mutate' and gain sentience. Flint, with the help of brilliant weather intern Samantha 'Sam' Sparks (Anna Faris), manage to stop the FLDSMDFR at the last minute and save the townspeople. However, the citizens of Swallow Falls are forced to leave the island due to the devastation caused by the 'food storm.' Flint's childhood hero and head of LIVE Corp, Chester V (Will Forte), offers to clean-up the island and even extends an invitation to the clumsy inventor to join his company. The tech mogul relocates every citizen to 'San Franjosé' while his workers secretly try to find the FLDSMDFR, which Chester hopes to use for his own personal gain. When LIVE Corp's team suddenly goes missing, Chester reveals to Flint that the FLDSMDFR is still operational and is producing strange food-animal hybrids dubbed 'foodimals.' Flint and his friends return to Swallow Falls to try and shut down the device once and for all but are unaware that they are being manipulated by Chester.

Like most sequels, "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2" embraces a 'bigger is better' mentality, especially with its over-the-top, food-themed creature design. The script from John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein, and Erica Rivinoja isn't the most inspired and treads some well-worn territory but it makes up for its shortcomings with a cavalcade of hilarious gags, which are perfectly complemented by the film's zany visuals. A brief recap handily brings viewers up to speed before the sequel dives right into the story, picking up mere minutes after the devastating 'food storm' wreaked havoc on Swallow Falls. Although Flint is hailed as a hero, his hometown is now covered in messy leftovers. Enter Chester V, who bears such an uncanny resemblance to the late-Steve Jobs that it can't just be mere coincidence. Moving like his body is made entirely of rubber, the goateed tech guru's chief claim to fame is the revolutionary 'food bar,' which is about to enter its eighth iteration even though it looks exactly like the previous versions, just with a new number slapped on the wrapping (like the iPhone). The original "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" had a manic energy to it, a trait that directors Cameron and Pearn wisely retain as Flint finds himself working at his dream job with LIVE Corp, a delightfully silly environment whose building is shaped like a giant light bulb. It's obviously poking fun at the gee-whiz corporate culture of Google, with the employees constantly over-caffeinated in order to come up with new inventions. Some of the devices that come out of this place are just plain wacky, such as a zero-emission car that 'runs on cute.' It's ridiculous but the fact that it wholeheartedly embraces its inherent goofiness is what makes "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2" so fun to watch.

The sequel takes a page out of Steven Spielberg's "Jurassic Park" films when Flint and his friends return to an overgrown Swallow Falls that is now teeming with food-based wildlife. Among the 'foodimals' they encounter are the 'Double Bacon Cheespider,' who ensnares its targets by shooting webbing made out of cheese and has sesame seeds for eyes, and a vicious 'Tacodile Supreme' but the one that leaves the most memorable impression is Barry, a wide-eyed strawberry that will have audiences going 'aww' with its adorable gibberish. Flint's reaction to it is absolutely priceless as well. The numerous food puns aren't terribly imaginative ('There's a leek in my boat!') but you can't deny that some of the creature designs are rather clever, such as the 'Susheep' and 'Mosquitoasts,' who reside in a swamp made up of syrup with pancake lily pads, because where else would they be? There's also plenty of subtle adult humor, with one example being the 'BS-USB' that Chester gives to Flint to shut down the FLDSMDFR. If there's a weak link in the comedy, it's Brent McHale. The sight of him running around in a chicken suit has already played itself out and all he does is say his 'Uh oh!' catchphrase while tripping over himself. Most of the voice cast from the first film, which includes Bill Hader and Anna Faris, as well as a 'lot of other people,' has returned to reprise their roles (Terry Crews replaces Mr. T for Earl). The sheer level of enthusiasm that they exhibit through their voice-work is infectious. Yes, its plot is largely inconsequential (it's a contrived reaffirmation of the importance of friendship) but that's okay since there's never a dull moment in "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2." I mean, how can you hate a film that has kawaii-style marshmallows?

Released on September 27, 2013, "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2" has received positive reviews, although it's not as acclaimed compared to the original with 64% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics noted that it wasn't 'as clever or inventive as its predecessor [but the film] compensates with enough dazzling visuals to keep younger viewers entertained.' Despite the overly crowded weekend, the animated sequel is poised to earn over $40 million thanks to an effective marketing campaign from Sony and the good-will generated by the first film four years ago. The story in "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2" is formulaic and mines well-worn territory in regards to its themes but the film still manages to be a lot of fun as it gleefully revels in its inherent silliness.

Final Rating: 4 out of 5

Flint Lockwood: Sam, it's going to be deadly dangerous with a good chance of death.

Sam Sparks: And that's why we'll need help!