Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Theatrical Release Date: 2009 09 18 (USA)

UPC: 043396215665

Studio: Sony Pictures

MPAA Rating: PG   Contains:[Mild Language]

Summary: Inspired by Ron and Judi Barrett's beloved children's book of the same name, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs follows inventor Flint Lockwood (voice of Bill Hader) and a brainy weathergirl (voice of Anna Faris) as they attempt to discover why the rain in their small town has stopped, and food is falling in its place. Meanwhile, lifelong bully Brent (voice of Andy Samberg) relishes in tormenting Flint like he did when they were kids, and Mayor Shelbourne (voice of Bruce Campbell) schemes to use Flint's latest invention -- a device designed to improve everyone's lives -- for his own personal gain. Mr. T voices by-the-books cop Earl Devereaux, and James Caan voices Flint's technophobe father, Tim. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Category: Children's/Family

Awards: Best Animated Feature – Hollywood Foreign Press Association

Features: A recipe for success: the making of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
"Raining Sunshine" music video by iCarly's Miranda Cosgrove
Interactive "Raining Sunshine" sing-along
Behind the scenes of Miranda Cosgrove's "Raining Sunshine" music video
Key Ingredients: the voices of Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
Extended scenes
Progression reels with introductions by visual FX supervisor Rob Bredow
Directors' commentarywith Bill Hader
Interactive "Splate" button (throw food at the screen while you watch the movie!)
Flint's food fight game
A PSP digital copy of the film to transer via your PlayStation 3
Director's commentary with Bill Hader
DVD-ROM link to exclusive online fun

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Format: Blu-ray

Release Date: 01/05/2010

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Cinemascope, 1.78:1 Alternate Wide Screen

Audio: DHMA null, DD2 Dolby Digital Stereo, DD5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1

Runtime: 90 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English,French,Spanish

Subtitles: English,French,Spanish

Perry Seibert

What kid wouldn't want to see a movie called Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs? The name promises such a messy good time, the biggest problem the movie faces is living up to such a gloriously goofy title. The story centers on inventor Flint Lockwood (Bill Hader), a young man whose impractical creations -- such as spray-on shoes and a device that verbalizes a monkey's thoughts -- have yet to bring him fame or fortune. As a result of his continued struggles, his father (James Caan) wants him to stop his elaborate experiments and come work in his store selling sardines, their town's chief export. With the city having fallen on hard times, the ambitious mayor (Bruce Campbell) wants to make over the town into a tourist attraction. He sees his golden opportunity when Flint's newest invention -- a machine that turns water into food -- causes meatballs to rain down from on high. Flint, basking in the glory of his first success, falls for a weather channel reporter (Anna Faris) sent to cover this highly unusual phenomenon, but he still doesn't understand why his father doesn't seem to approve of him even after he's become the town hero. For an hour, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs revels in the kind of silliness the title suggests -- it's a thoroughly pleasant kid's film with just enough quirkiness to keep mom and dad happy. Flint's relationship with his father turns out to be the main thrust of the story; his desire to earn his dad's pride and respect drives him. The screenwriters underscore this point through the affectionate relationship between two other characters -- authoritative cop Earl Devereaux (Mr. T) and his young son, Cal. The former Clubber Lang is very funny, and rather touching, as a hard-nosed officer whose heart melts when it comes to his kid. He's so good it's kind of amazing nobody has thought to cast him in an animated film before. Though Mr. T might be the standout in this cast, he's far from the only highlight. Hader, Faris, and Campbell all manage to put a twist on their lines, making even the occasionally obvious punch lines work. In fact, the film really only loses steam in the final 30 minutes, which is an extended action sequence where Flint and the gang attempt to retrieve his meatball-making creation from the sky. The visuals, though fine, just don't have the pizzazz that the actors' voices do. And while little ones might not care about all that stuff, they certainly will get a kick out of the spaghetti tornado, the ice cream storm, and the cheeseburger downpour. Basically, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs succeeds because it does genuinely offer something to entertain everyone in the family. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Mark Mothersbaugh  Composer (Music Score) 
Pam Marsden  Producer 
Judi Barrett  Screenwriter 
Phil Lord  Director 
Phil Lord  Screenwriter 
Yair Landau  Executive Producer 
Christopher Miller  Director 
Christopher Miller  Screenwriter 
Bill Hader  Actor 
Anna Faris  Actor 
James Caan  Actor 
Andy Samberg  Actor 
Bruce Campbell  Actor 
Mr. T  Actor 
Bobb'e J. Thompson  Actor 
Benjamin Bratt  Actor 
Neil Patrick Harris  Actor 
Al Roker  Actor 
Lauren Graham  Actor 
Will Forte  Actor 
Max Neuwirth  Actor 
Peter Siragusa  Actor 
Angela Shelton  Actor 
Neil Flynn  Actor 
Liz Cackowski  Actor 

Country: USA