Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2: Movie Review


"Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2" retains the same fun-filled, quirky style that we loved from the first one. Unfortunately, like most sequels, the film fails to match less surpass its predecessor in more or less every aspect. This does not mean that "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2" is a bad film (it is in fact an enjoyable one especially with its gags and food puns working wonders) but it does make you question if this second try is even necessary.

Inventor Flint Lockwood (Bill Hader) thought he saved the world when he destroyed his most infamous invention, the FLDSMDFR, a machine that turned water into food. In the first film, the invention proved to be ingenious but eventually the machine overloaded and caused huge food rain down on the planet's populace. Destroying it was the only option for Flint. Soon after the destruction of FLDSMDFR, Flint and the residents of Swallow Falls, are evacuated to San Franjose, California by Chester V (Will Forte)- the CEO of Live Corp. and Flint's long-time idol. After 6 months of working for Live Corp., Flint learns from Chester V himself that FLDSMDFR actually survived and is now creating food-animals - food that have lives of their own. Chester V also tells Flint that these food-animals are dangerous and will soon learn to swim towards civilization. Now, he must embark on a perilous mission to locate and stop FLDSMDFR once and for all. But this is no easy task as he must battle hungry tacodiles, shrimpanzees, hippotatomuses, cheespiders and other food-animals still unknown to man.

"Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2" works because of its humor. More or less, we found ourselves laughing from start to finish with its wide array of injected comedy. There are the food puns for those food animals which are rather interesting and the running jokes, while repeated endlessly throughout the 95 minute running time, works every time. The film is also boosted by its bright, cheerful visuals and the use of 3D here is rather extensive and intensive. What the film fails to do is have a compelling story this time around. The first film had that Father and Son dilemma. The sequel tries to push a "Friends versus Success" problem for Flint Lockwood. This, unlike the first, fails to be cohesive or compelling. The film also feels a little slow in the middle even with a very brisk running time. In the end, "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2" will entertain you with its visuals and unique comedy but if you expect something deeper then it will somewhat disappoint.

Rating: 3 reels





Why you should watch it:
- still has that unique visual style that will keep younger audiences amused the whole time
- even with the same old jokes and running gags all over the place, we still found it mightily funny

Why you shouldn't watch it:
- lacks the awe we felt when compared to its predecessor

Post a Comment

Comments