3(D) Times The Fun

Rating: 10/10 (9 October 2009)

Hey Mom & Dad. Are you dealing with a rainy day,with the kiddies driving you crackers with "I'm so bored...There's nothing to do,today" every five minutes? Then by gum,pack the whole gang in the car & drive on over to your local multiplex & treat the little ones to a screening of 'Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs' (and even if you have no little ones,still go to check it out---you'll be glad you did). This is Columbia/Sony Pictures contribution to the ever growing array of 3D-CGI (three dimension,computer generated images)animation. The screenplay,adapted from the beloved book by the authors themselves (Judi Barrett & Ron Barrett)doles out the fun factor a whopping 10+. The direction is handled well by Phil Lord & Chris Miller (both known for their work in television). The story:a little island township,mainly known for it's contribution to fishing is starving for tourism (there is literally nothing to eat but fish there). Flint Lockwood (voiced by Bill Hader,of Saturday Night Live,fame)is a failed inventor,who is trying to invent a machine that turns water into food, which goes bananas (ouch---bad pun!)& turns into a satellite that does manage to turn rain clouds into food that rains upon the island. Sam Sparks (voiced by Anna Faris,of the Scary Movie series)is the perky weather anchor of the local 'Weather News Channel' (obviously a double edged pun on the Weather Channel,as well as Cable News Network)is there to report on the proceedings (and perhaps forge a friendship with the nerdy,introverted Flint). Other familiar voices that turn up for good measure include,James Caan (as Flint's skeptical father,Tim), Bruce Campbell (as the rather shady Mayor Shelbourn),Mr. T (as a well meaning,but overly macho policeman,Earl Deveraux),and even Al Roker (from NBC's Today Show),as Patrick Patrickson,Benjamin Bratt & Neil Patrick Harris turn up to supply voices for some minor characters. This film is being released in both 3D Digital,as well as standard 2D versions (check your local newspaper for whatever cinemas are screening which version---although I would recommend the 3D edition). At the screening that I attended,both youngsters,as well as parents had a good old time with this one (as did I). Now, it's your turn. Rated PG by the MPAA,for some thematic element (although I would guess that it's being released as a PG,just to guarantee wider distribution,as I really didn't find anything that a parent would object to).