Sorry, but This Hasn't Aged Well

Rating: 5/10 (9 January 2018)

Back in 2009 when Sony Pictures Animation released their animated film adaptation of the children's book of the same name, I loved it at the age of ten. Watching in recently however, I find it pretty mediocre. That's not to say I hate it or anything, this is just a case of a form of media from childhood that didn't really age well...for me at least.
In terms of what works, the real highlight of the film is the animation on the food, from the quantity, to the size, to especially the colors. I always found food to look a million times better in animation than in real life, and this movie is no exception. Not to mention, the animators found a lot of creative methods to build the food as either houses or amusement rides. Adding on to that, some of the jokes are pretty funny, although others are rather juvenile. The fathers Earl and Tim are the most likable and charming characters in the whole film, especially since they want what's best for their children in spite of their oddball antics. Lastly, I admire the different inventions the filmmakers created that definitely fit with the movie's imaginative touch.
Unfortunately, what doesn't work is the story, as it comes off as too cliche and predictable for it's own good using the same old underdog story we've seen before. I was able to predict everything that was going to happen, and the main character Flint Lockwood is way too dorky and obnoxious for his own good. The rest of the cast are either forgettable, annoying, just there to get a laugh, or are just pointless entirely (although Sam Sparks is enjoyably quirky in her own right). Also, I get that they wanted to make the characters cartoony to fit with the movie's oddball nature, but their designs are so simplistic and so over the top that it looks both ridiculous and awkward, and the animators were trying way too hard with the wackiness. Not to mention, while the subplot with Flint's father-son relation is heartwarming enough, it feels overshadowed by juvenile humor, pointless moments with Flint and other residents, and I was left much to be desired.
Once again, I don't hate this movie by any means, I just don't like it as much as I used to. While I admire the food visuals, the occasional likable and silly character, some of the jokes, and message to never give up on your dreams, the predictable story, majority pos obnoxious characters, and annoying character animation keep me from enjoying it all the way through. If you love the book more than you're better off with that, but if you do have a soft spot for this movie than definitely have fun with it. You'll certainly gain a bigger appetite that I did.