Saturday, March 15, 2014
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2
(2013)
Cast: Bill
Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Will Forte, Andy Samburg, Benjamin Bratt, Neil
Patrick Harris, Terry Crews, Kristen Schaal.
Directors: Cody
Cameron and Kris Pearn
Synopsis: Scientist
Flint Lockwood and his friends once again find their homeland in jeopardy. The food has mutated into foodimals that look
a lot like real animals and have feelings and emotions. An evil company has taken control of the
FLDSMDFR (Flint Lockwood Diatonic Super Mutating Dynamic Food Replicator) and is
threatening the lives of the foodimals. Flint
and the gang once again have to save the island’s inhabitants from certain
destruction!
Reviewer’s
Rating: 4/5 Reels
Review:
To write this review, I watched the film and then
realized I needed to go further back and watch the first film since the sequel
continues from the end of the first film.
We are reacquainted with cast by getting a short
summary of the first film’s storyline. We
rejoin Flint Lockwood (voiced by Bill Hader) and his gang of unique friends
exactly where we left them in Shallow Falls.
The massive food weather catastrophe has ended and the town is in
celebration. Flint’s childhood hero,
Chester V. (voiced by Will Forte), arrives on the island to assist in the food
cleanup at Shallow Falls. We soon
discover that Chester V. has alternate plans to help benefit his company, Live Corp,
which primarily produces food bars.
Chester realizes the food that is produced by Flint’s FLDSMDFR is far
more delicious and would be far more suitable if used in his food bar. Will Forte’s voice adaptation of Chester V.
is one of the most entertaining elements of the film. His unique intonation fits perfectly with the
animator’s visual characterization. Will
Forte actually voiced a character in the first film as well. However, it was
only a few lines for the bearded town’s person named Joe Towne.
Once the island’s population has been relocated
for “clean up,” Chester’s handful of Thinkwanauts attempts to find the FLDSMDFR
and discover the food has become animalistic in nature. The foodimals become aggressive and wipe out Chester’s
Thinkwanauts. Then Chester sent Flint to
the island to “stop” the FLDSMDFR. After
encountering many foodimals, Flint’s friends see them as creatures that need to
be studied and observed. But Chester
persuades Flint to abandon his friends and “destroy” the FLDSMDFR to save the
world from the monstrous food beasts.
Flint eventually comes to his senses but is betrayed by his hero.
The overall film is creative and visually
stimulating. The portrayal of the different foods and combination of foods to
create animals is well thought out and fun to see. The plot and sequel is arguably unnecessary
because the first film stands alone so well; but it gives us more insight into
the world of food gone wild and gives us more killer puns.
This movie is basically a large pun with a side
of wit cream. If you aren’t a punny person, then you will find it extremely
difficult to enjoy this movie. Puns make
up a majority of the dialogue. I find these puns to be tasteful and witty for
the most part. It really makes this
movie more memorable and quotable.
The most negative thing I can say about the movie
concerns Barb the ape (voiced by Kristen Schaal). I find her character a bit annoying,
unnecessary and the most predictable in the plot. I believe adding a second primate was a good
idea, but this ape is too much for my taste.
The relationship between Flint and his father is strengthened
in this film. Flint’s father, Tim Lockwood (voiced by James Caan), has a role
in helping Flint save the day by constructing a gigantic fishing pole to launch
Flint into the Evil base. Finally, at
the end of the film, Flint allows his father to teach him how to fish, Tim’s
passion.
Each character adds something wonderful to the
film. Flint, of course, is striving to
be a great scientist that can change the world. And once again is the hero of
the film. Chester V. is Flint’s hero and yet his motives are for his own
selfish gain. Barb is Chester V’s right hand assistant that is treated poorly and
thus her loyalties change in the end. Sam Sparks (voiced by Anna Faris) is
Flint’s romantic interest and is striving to be a weather girl. Tim Lockwood is
Flint’s father who just wants to be on his homeland, work at his bait shop and
go fishing. Brent McHale aka Baby Brent (voiced by Andy Samberg) is trying to
redefine who he is now that his childhood identity is no longer admired. Manny,
the man who is and does everything (voiced by Benjamin Bratt), is there to help
in anyway he can. His expressionless characteristic adds a lot of comic
relief. Earl the Policeman (voiced by
Terry Crews in the second film) really pulls the group together as a team
leader and protector. And finally, Steve the monkey (voiced by Neil Patrick
Harris), adds the last touch of humor with his ironic translated thoughts as
Flint’s number one companion.
In conclusion, the film is creative and
refreshing with its combination of characters and villains. The puns keep you on your toes and the plot
will keep you guessing.
By: Joshua Fulford
