Foodimals, Friendship and Laughs

Disclosure:  I was given an invitation to a private screening of this movie.  I was not compensated for this post.  As always, all opinions expressed below are 100% my own!!

This past Saturday, the kiddies and I had the opportunity to go check out a private advance screening of Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2.  The Mr had to sit this one out because he was sick.  And his meds had him feeling more than a little bit drowsy.  Back to the movie.  Did I mention that it was in 3D?!!

Moo thought it was the coolest thing that she needed "shades" to watch a movie.  JJ on the other is not a fan of wearing anything on his face.  No worries did not stop him from the watching the movie in a trance-like state.  Now for those of you not familiar with the Cloudy movie series, it's based on the children's book Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs written by Judi and Ron Barrett.  (Check it out if you've never read it.)

In the first movie, we meet Flint Lockwood, an inventor, who has been striving to create a successful invention that end up in failure or smoke since he was a child.  When creates the Flint Lockwood Diatonic Super Mutating Dynamic Food Replicator (FLDSLMDFR), it would seem that he's finally on to something.  The FLDSLMDFR is kind of like a weather machine but instead of being able to choose rain, snow or sunshine, you can choose for it rain meatballs, ice cream or any other foods you desire.  Long story short, it's not long before the machine malfunctions and causes a major food storm in which the entire town of Swallow Falls has to evaluate.  Flint and a group of friends- Baby Brent, Sam, Earl, Mann- and his dad, Tim, have to then risk their lives to destroy the machine.

So, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 picks up where part 1 left off.  And guess what the whole gang is back for another round of adventures- Flint (Bill Hader), Sam (Anna Faris), Earl (Terry Crews), Steve (Neil Patrick Harris), Manny (Benjamin Bratt), Tim (James Caan) and Baby Brent (Andy Samberg).  The town is rescued by Flint's idol, Chester V (Will Forte) (a fellow, but uber successful inventor) and he receives a once in a lifetime opportunity to work for his idol.  However, it's long before Flint discovers that his machine was not destroyed.

Instead the FLDSMDFR has started creating Foodimals (food animals).  There are all kinds of species like Cheeseburger Spiders, Flamangos and Bananostiches.  So, once again Flint and the gang journey back to Swallow Falls to try to save the world and prevent these foodimals from taking over.

I give this movie two thumbs up because for starters I loved the book.  Secondly, the first movie did not disappoint.  And lastly, this movie was not only able to hold my kids' attention but my as well.  It's funny, inspiring and heartwarming all at the same time.  There's a lesson to be learned about the true values and bonds of friendship as well as a lesson on parenting and how it's never too late to reconnect or find a common bond with our children.  This movie had us laughing our heads off.

I saw that many of you commented on my last post wanting to know if this movie would be worth spending your money on to take your families to see?  My answer is yes!  You won't disappointed.  And neither will your kids.  There are some new faces and a twist to this movie.  I don't want to spoil them.  So, be sure to check out Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 when it hit theaters of September 27th to find out what they are!

In the meanwhile you can visit the movie's website with your kids and check out the official movie trailer, games, cast info and more here.