Read our review of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs here. Us foodies are being spoiled by Hollywood at the moment; first Julie & Julia (see clip), and now this sharp and original animation.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
With the voices of Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan and Mr T
Based on a children's illustrated book, this animation tells the story of a young inventor living on an island off the coast of America. Once prosperous, thanks to its fish-canning industry, it's become a depressed region with equally depressed residents living on a diet of sardines.
Flint Lockwood's absurd inventions (spray-on shoes, rat-birds...) have made him the local joke, but when his new machine that turns water into food is accidentally rocketed into the atmosphere, it generates a unique weather system that 'rains' food. The downpours of cheeseburgers, steaks, ice cream and gummi bears make Flint an international celebrity until (inevitably) things go amiss. With the help of young wannabe weather presenter Sam Spark, Flint has to find a way to destroy his machine before giant produce destroys the world.
This is a visually brilliant psychedelic animation, and – with its fantastical food showers – the perfect film for 3D. It's a bizarre, funny and humane story – bravely executed by Sony Pictures – that wags a finger at greed, denounces obesity and is timely in its example of how the economy can affect what we eat. A feast for both eyes and ears, with enough jokes to satisfy adults as well as kids.
In UK cinemas in 3D and 2D from 18 September, Cert. U
Food films we love (in a nutshell)