...a fun, larger-than-life premise that is, at the outset, employed to compulsively watchable effect...

| Original Score: 2/4 | Jun 18, 2024

Director/writer team Phil Lord and Chris Miller cobble a story around the storybook’s premise but it’s the whimsical imagery of raining hamburgers, a Jell-O mold castle, an ice-cream winter wonderland, and a spaghetti tornado that carries the film.

| Feb 4, 2023

Offers a hearty mix of humor that will appeal to nearly every age group.

| Original Score: 8/10 | Nov 28, 2020

An entertaining alternative in this Fall season of cinematic mediocrity.

| Original Score: 3.0/4.0 | Sep 5, 2020

The animation here is certainly up to par, but it doesn't have the magic of Pixar. The story isn't nearly as creative as that studio's work, either.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Dec 5, 2018

There are many funny moments and some pleasing suspense towards the end, but as a cautionary tale about the dangers of overeating and obesity it's more likely to boost sales at the candy bar. That may be one good reason for watching it at home.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jun 27, 2014

Where else can you find the varied likes of Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Bruce Campbell, and--yes--Mr. T together and all on their A game?

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Sep 29, 2013

The test for a decent family film is whether the kids want to watch it again, and both of mine were ready for a rerun the very next day.

| Original Score: 6/10 | Feb 26, 2012

Grownups will enjoy the witty dialog and zippy script, especially when it makes playful nods to big sci-fi popcorn romps like Twister, The Day After Tomorrow, Armageddon and Star Wars.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Sep 29, 2011

The humour in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is often anarchic, wicked, random and very funny. This is a fun film with a lot of spirit.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jul 6, 2010

Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs might not be as charming or heartfelt as anything from Pixar film, but bar Up, it's the best animated film of the year so far.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Apr 15, 2010

Spaghetti has never been more terrifying, Gummi bears more menacing, nor the pleasures and perils of exploring the frontiers of science more vivid

| Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 13, 2010

It occurs to me that the pace and tone of the comedy is actually pretty sophisticated -- perhaps too much so for its supposed intended audience.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Jan 18, 2010

It's rare for a family film to deliver the goods with both story and visuals, but this insanely fun and fast-paced flick doesn't skimp on either.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 3, 2009

Writer-directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have expanded a 30-page children's book by Judi and Ron Barrett into a 3D animated feature which boasts intricate design and goofy humour.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Nov 26, 2009

Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs is visually inventive and exuberant, and has some neat running gags. But its characterisations are a little disappointing.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 26, 2009

This 3D cartoon based on the popular children's book is sweet and fun -- not to mention a little trippy.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 26, 2009

The story outlined here is engagingly ridiculous, and the visual opportunities suggested by the book and expanded by the screenplay look stunning when seen in 3-D.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 26, 2009

It all can be swallowed very easily, with the likeable characters, including the policeman Earl (Mr T), ensuring that the adventure serves up a tasty conclusion.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 26, 2009

If Pixar are the modern equivalent of the sweet artistry of Walt Disney's best, then Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is the slightly-skewy offspring of Chuck Jones and his Warner Bros. cartoons.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 26, 2009