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Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 3, age appropriate for kids over 5; suggested age 6.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Age-appropriate 3-D food adventure doesn't fully satisfy.

Themes in this movie include:   dating/crushes, family relationships

Why We Rated This on for Ages 6 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Not much, unless you consider the movie as some sort of lesson about not eating genetically modified food.
  • Messages:

    The messages in this movie aren't hit-you-over-the-head obvious, but kids who watch may take away positive ideas about being liked for who you really are and not having to change your appearance just to be cool. There's also a recurring theme about parents needing to have faith in their children, as well as negative consequences for unchecked greed.
  • Role models:

    Flint shows Sam that she's beautiful even when she's "nerdy" and that she shouldn't dumb herself down for anyone. Flint's father learns to be supportive.

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    A hurricane of food threatens to destroy Chew and Swallow, as well as other major cities around the world. Characters are in danger/peril due to enormous falling food -- and other food mutations (including somewhat creepy headless chickens). The "rat birds" are humorously creepy and pop up again and again -- in one case, a rat bird snatches up the "world's biggest sardine."
  • Sexy stuff:

    Sam and Flint flirt with each other on several occasions, and in one sequence it's clear that Flint is "pursuing" Sam to be his girlfriend. After almost kissing a couple of times, they finally do kiss.
  • Language:

    Mild insults and language include "hell hole," "knuckle scrapers," "crazy jerk," "stupid," etc.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs was written by Sandie Angulo Chen

Parents need to know that this adaptation of the classic children's book Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is bound to attract the 10-and-under set. While there's nothing overtly age-inappropriate in the movie, expect a bit of salty language along the lines of "hell" and and the occasional mild insult like "stupid" or "knuckle scrapers." The few tense/slightly scary scenes are weather- and giant food-related -- which could upset little kids who are sensitive to fears about natural disasters -- and there's a brewing romance between the main character and a weather reporter. Although no grand life lessons are offered, the movie does center on a son's need for fatherly encouragement and the idea that you shouldn't compromise who you are just to be popular. The movie's plot is very different than the book's, so anyone expecting a straight adaptation will be disappointed.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the movie's message about compromising yourself for the sake of popularity. Is that ever worth it? How does Sam change once she knows that Flint likes that she's actually smart?
  • How does the movie portray technology? When does the experiment go wrong?
  • Why does Flint want his father's approval so badly? Does his father have a point in discouraging Flint's inventions?
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More on Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

What’s the Story?

Based loosely (very loosely) on the popular children's book Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, this animated adventure takes the book's story about a town where weather provides fully cooked meals and turns it into a 3-D fantasy about Flint Lockwood (voiced by Bill Hader), a young inventor who creates a device that transforms water into food. When Flint's invention is launched into the sky, he inadvertently saves the town of Swallow Falls from financial and nutritional ruin. Helping the town make its unique claim to fame is weather reporter Sam (Anna Faris), who's smitten with Flint. As the Swallow Falls residents (especially the fatter-and-fatter mayor, voiced by Bruce Campbell) become greedier with their daily meal requests , Flint's invention becomes more and more overheated -- until it leads to a culinary disaster that could destroy the world.

Is It Any Good?

Sony Pictures Animation may not be Pixar (and, to be fair, no studio is Pixar), but it previously scored with the fantastically imaginative Monster House, the charming buddy comedy Open Season, and the penguin's paradise Surf's Up. Cloudy seems like a step backward, even though it's an obvious transition into the profitable 3-D genre. The voice talent is there (Faris, in particular, is an adroit voice actress, and Mr. T is laugh-aloud funny as an overly eager town cop), but the story is not only completely unlike the book upon which it's supposedly based but, frankly, a tad unengaging for adult audiences, who are by now used to more sophisticated animated films.

That's not to say that parents won't laugh along with their young children at the sight of a Neapolitan-ice-cream snowfall or a drizzle of steak falling onto diners' plates at a trendy, roofless restaurant.  But part of the book's magic is that it's a bedtime tale about a town where food just rains down. The movie, by comparison, seems like a cautionary tale about dependence on genetically modified "techno-food" -- a science experiment gone amok. Despite the occasional jokes, there's no emotional attachment to the main character, the way you feel about Shrek, Nemo, Woody, or even Sid the Sloth. By the end, the hurricane of pasta and avalanche of leftovers might as well bury the town. Then at least the 3-D effects would at least be spectacular.

Movie Details

Studio: Columbia Tristar, Directors: Chris Miller, Phil Lord
Run time: 81 minutes
Theatrical release: 9/18/2009, DVD release: 1/5/2010
MPAA Rating: PG for brief mild language

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    good all ages

    sooooooooo funny and cute :)

  2. I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    One of 2009's greatest!

    It was absolutely adorable and hilarious, and it sends messages to be yourself. Great movie!

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    A Hilarious Family Movie

    I seriously laughed almost every minute. I didn't hear any bad language. It was intresting and fun. It had some creepy parts like when they trying to get to the FLDSMDFR and they came across giant chickens. I say it's a good movie for young kids and adults.

  4. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 4.0

    great movie

    I loved this movie so much! great for the whole family

  5. I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 4.0

    A great family movie!

    A fun movie that the whole family will enjoy! Although I don't think the movie said any bad language like "hell hole" which they said they did. And I know the movie did not say that because I put subtitles on and it didn't mention it. The only mild language I heard was "crap balls". Well anyway, I thought it was a really funny flick!

  6. I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • User content isn't age appropriate
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

  7. I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative role models
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Wow this movie is great!.I love it.It's Great for everybody.Just watch it!.Trust me U wanna see this movie.

  8. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Great for all!

    Its a great movie love all the food I just saw it today for the second time in the theater i loved it all over again!

  9. I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Cloudy With a Chance of Good Movies

    This was a pretty good movie that left my mouth watering at the end. I was so hungry! It was very funny and the acting put together with the animation was hysterical! It also taught that science is cool and shouldn't be laughed at. My final verdict, buy it on DVD NOW!

  10. Parent Reviewer
    Kids ages: 6, 8, 10, 12
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 4.0

    The relationship between the main character and his dad gives families something to discuss and hopefully it will better their parent/child communication.

  11. Kid Reviewer Age 7
    I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    all kids

    i have the movie

  12. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    It's an alright kids movie

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is a silly kids' film, but it's pretty enjoyable and entertainment for the whole family. It's about this guy named Flint Lockwood who invents a machine which converts water into food. Sometimes, it ruins the whole town. CWACOM isn't inappropiate but it was pretty enthusing to me. I'd give it a 3/5.

  13. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 2.0

    For me it was just too boring.

    Boring. That's about all I have to say. :)

  14. Parent Reviewer
    Kids ages: 3, 5, 5, 8
    I rate this title on for age 3 and give it 4.0

    Good for ages 3 and up!

    I think this is a great movie. Mmy kids love it and they are ages 3-7. Great animation and funny senorio.

  15. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    Good for older kids

    With a hurricane of food, language with the word "hell" once, I'd say it's iffy for seven-year-olds. But, it has a good role model story with Sam being called "nerdy" and not letting anyone put her down.

  16. Kid Reviewer Age 0
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive consumerism
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    I love it because Flint is a nice boy.

  17. I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    This is a great movie for kids!

    I love it! It's not long, not short, and not much iffy stuff!

  18. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0

    yay

    Flint from when he was young wanted to be a inventor and when hes older he does just that, but things start going teribly wrong. it was very funny when brent turned into a chicken n flint n sam fought them off..lol

  19. I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0

    perfect

    cool

  20. Parent Reviewer
    Kids ages: 8, 9
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 3.0

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