RPP Movie Review
'Cloudy with a Chance for Meatballs’ one of best movies of 2009
By Ezra Mann (Editor in Spoof)
It’s no mystery that I am a student of ridiculously cheesy entertainment and I will jump on a good example of it any chance I get. Every once in a while I will find something so amazing at producing the cheese that I will practically see salvation in it.
This movie is one of those moments and not only because of the genius level of silly, but because it is a film that is all around pure win. It may not beat out “UP” for the best animation Oscar, but if anything could give it a run for its money, this is more than qualified. “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” makes you feel right at home in the theater from your childhood and beyond.
Based on the children’s book of the same name (something I will now have to read), this adventure stars Flint Lockwood (Bill Hader), an inventor who tries to make the world a better place, only to have disaster strike every time. We see his troubles begin as a kid and only seem to increase in failure well into adulthood.
The town itself struggles to survive collapse without Flint’s help and he might avoid catastrophe if he only worked for his father Tim Lockwood (James Caan). Yet, Flint is too strong willed to give up and his actions of making food out of weather may doom as well as save the community. Of course, the biggest danger may be in the form of the underhanded Mayor Shelbourne (Bruce Campbell).
The flick works in so many ways because it finally produces the epitome of disaster movie parody and makes you relate with one of the characters, the main one myself (I practically saw myself in the poor heckled lad). Heck, this movie reaches a whole separate level of awesome by casting Mr. T as the local police officer (Earl Devereaux).
For those looking for the love interest, you won’t be disappointed either with some of the stereotypical love scenes in films shattered here as well in Sam Sparks (Anna Faris). This is one of those rare events that should be able to please any movie fan who isn’t completely dead inside and it is appropriate for all ages too (even with several clever adult references). For a time I will certainly want to relive again when the DVD comes out, I give “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” five out of five entrees.
(Images are copyright of Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation.)
