Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 – PG

Running Time: 95 min

Directors: Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn

Main Voice Actors: Bill Hader, Anna Faris, Will Forte

Rating: 6

Sequels are curious things. No one expects much from them, but critics still butcher them even if the films were decent—as if people were expecting the world. “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2” wasn’t the massive disappointment I expected, although its appeal differs dramatically from its predecessor. “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” took place in Swallow Falls, an island town which had been plagued with an endless amount of sardines until local inventor, Flynn Lockwood, creates a machine that turns water into food. His invention inevitably goes haywire and he must stop it before it covers the whole world with food. “Meatballs 2” takes place right after the finish of it’s predecessor, revealing the fate of the inventor and his friends and family once the deed is done–or is it?

The greatest pro this sequel had definitely stood in its animation. Bright colors, brilliant character design and overall fantastic creativity gave this movie the sparkle that earns it a “decent sequel” medal. Needless to say, there was also a nearly endless amount of food puns used throughout the entire movie. As cheesy (teehee) as they were, the audience couldn’t get enough.

I’m fascinated by the type of humor that was used in this movie. It’s not nearly as slapstick, but it uses awkward pauses and movements in a similar way as its predecessor that keeps it continuously funny. The humor doesn’t seem to be as deeply rooted in the plot, but the puns definitely make up for it in a sense. In addition, the film’s more serious tone due to the plot isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I enjoyed the serious message it was trying to get across, no matter how preachy it may be.

The downsides to this movie, unfortunately, lie in the simplicity of the world. The first movie was, just as this one, charming and witty, but not much in the way of engagement. There wasn’t any way for the plot to grow in this particular franchise since it started with such a small goal in mind. The goal, being sheer entertainment, has successfully met its purpose, but we can’t expect a children’s movie like this to strive for anything more than mediocre.