Out now is “Cloudy with a chance of meatballs”, the latest home release from Dreamworks Sony/Columbia. Their work keeps getting better and better, the last film (Monsters vs Aliens) is probably the best they have done. But there very best just does not compare to the standard set. Gaff-tastic: My fault! I even laughed out loud when they showed the classic Columbia title screen that has brought me so much joy over the years, should have remembered that.

Cloudy is a great film, we all laughed out loud at various bits. The voice acting is top notch, the story is a lot of fun, the animation is excellent. But somehow its missing something…

Characters are king

Dreamworks Everyone is very slowly learning what it is that makes Pixar the masters when it comes to animation. It is nothing to do with the technology used or how spectacular you make it look, it is all about the characters. You have to feel connected with them, then the audience will go anywhere you want them to go.

The first thing that struck me about the film are the actors they have managed to get to voice these characters. Casting Mr T is pure genius, he is a stand out character that is a lot of fun to watch, without having to reference “The A-Team”. I would love to see a film with just him. But the rest of the cast are just as good, and the addition of Bruce Campbell rounds it all out nicely.

Designed by test screening

The story is a little goofy, but you are willing to suspend your disbelief because it is just so much fun. Any story where it rains steaks is not going to be a serious drama, but there are some odd moments. You will be watching, laughing along quiet nicely and just enjoying the ride, then something just stupid happens and snaps you back to the idea they designed this film with test screenings and 10 year olds in mind.

I will give you an example. You are watching the two main characters having their heart to heart, it is all going well when the phone rings to break the moment. Classic story fare, nothing wrong with that. The guy, uncomfortable, says he has to answer it and breaks away… and walks straight out of a window. What? Why, just because there has not been a laugh for a minute and the test screening said the 10 year olds where getting bored. There is nothing wrong with doing stupid things, but there has to be a good reason for them otherwise you are just playing with the audience and that is no fun for the adults who are enjoying it.

Don’t get me wrong, I love abstract humour and this film has it in spades. Just these little jolts were a shame.

Conclusion

This is a great film, lots of fun for the whole family. Is it worth buying? Probably, it is worth seeing. There are some excellent scenes, and you will laugh a lot. By that measure alone it is great. But it does feel hollow, where as Pixar film will leave you with something to think about, this will leave you with nothing. There is nothing wrong with that, it is just a shame.

Get it, see it, enjoy it, and tide yourself over until “Up” is released next week.