Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (1/28/2014)

Rated PG for mild rude humor.

Starring the voices of Bill Hader, Anna Faris, Will Forte, James Caan, Kristen Schaal, Terry Crews, Andy Samberg, Neil Patrick Harris and Benjamin Bratt

Directed by Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn

When it comes to Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs…I’ll take seconds.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 picks up where the first film left off. Inventor Flint Lockwood’s genius is finally being recognized as he’s invited by his idol Chester V to join The Live Corp Company, where the best and brightest inventors in the world create technologies for the betterment of mankind. Chester’s right-hand-gal, and one of his greatest inventions, is Barb (a highly evolved orangutan with a human brain that is also devious, manipulative and likes to wear lipstick. It’s always been Flint’s dream to be recognized as a great inventor, but everything changes when he discovers that his most infamous machine (which turns water into food) is still operating and is now creating food-animal hybrids – “foodimals!” With the fate of humanity in his hands, Chester sends Flint and his friends on a dangerously delicious mission, battling hungry tacodiles, shrimpanzees, apple pie-thons, double bacon cheespiders and other food creatures to save the world again!

I really enjoyed the 2009 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and this one is just as good with all the wild silliness, vivid colors and puns. But there is also Jurassic Park like food creatures that are trying to devour us – classic.

Co-directors Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn, keep the film fun and family friendly. And that was surprising with a talented (and not necessarily a G-rated) cast like Bill Hader, Anna Faris, Neil Patrick Harris, Andy Samberg, James Caan, Will Forte and Benjamin Bratt. And the addition of Terry Crews as the motor-mouthed Earl Deveraux was great.

Truth be told, there aren’t many kids’ films that are this fun that don’t have subtle adult humor or political agenda. It was quiet refreshing.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 is a fun sequel that is every bit as charming as the original…its “Theater Worthy” for me.

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Yes this one is fun for the whole family.

CONVERSATION STARTER

1. Who are some of the people who encouraged Flint in the movie?


2. How do they encourage him?


3. When was the last time someone encouraged you? Tell me about it.


4. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:11
   Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
   
   Hebrews 10:24
   And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works
   
   What are some ways you can encourage your friends to love one another and do good works?