Can they lick the ice cream problem?
All true, but I believe there is a place for show, for spectacle, for a movie made for the pure enjoyment of the art and the willingness to be silly.
Such a cartoon is Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Young inventory, Flint Lockwood (Bill Hader) has never had an invention pay off, until the day he creates a device that turns water into food. When making food fall from the sky inevitably goes awry, he and his new girlfriend, meteorologist Sam Sparks (Anna Faris) must save the day.
Look, this isn’t Shakespeare. It isn’t even Law and Order. But it is a heck of a lot of fun. I’ve enjoyed the recent animated films to come out in the past few years, Wall-E and Up to name a few are very good but terribly serious. One could almost imagine “Cloudy” starring Bugs Bunny, it is that rich with slapstick humor.
Despite the rollicking pace, it does manage to get across one theme: It’s okay to be yourself - whether a wacky scientist or a nerdy weathergirl.
The animation is bright and showy, and will drawn in the young-uns, but the adults will enjoy the voice acting. James Caan’s graveling delivery sets up a perfect opposite to the hyper hero. Bruce Campbell is the perfect greedy Mayor. And the admission price is worth alone hearing Mr. T play the part of the zealous, short-wearing cop, Earl Devereaux.
So slap on those 3-D glasses and take the wee lads and lasses to see this. You will laugh. It won’t change your life or make you cry. But we could all use a good laugh, couldn’t we? Bring your umbrella.
