When Flint Lockwood (Bill Hader – a stalwart of the more recent Saturday Night Live line-up) sees his latest contraption accidentally destroy his town’s square and rocket up into the clouds, he thinks his inventing career is over. Then, something incredible happens as fast-food cheeseburgers start raining from the sky. His machine actually works! As you would expect of our world population these days, people greedily ask for more and more food.  As the machine is so obliging, it runs amok, unleashing spaghetti tornadoes and giant meatballs that threaten the world!

It's up to Flint, with the help of weather girl Sam Sparks (Anna Faris – Cindy in the “Scary Movie” franchise) and Steve, his talking monkey assistant (voiced by Neil Patrick Harris of How I Met Your Mother), to find some way to shut down the machine before the world is covered in super-sized meatballs!  Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” was based on a book by Judi Barrett and Ron Barrett. The film is produced by Pam Marsden.

“Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs” is from the Academy Award® nominated team behind “Open Season”, and had a budget of $100 million – no matter, as its worldwide box office has brought in some $214 million! The cast is positively stellar in nature – Mr T of The A Team plays local well-meaning cop Earl Devereaux, Bruce Campbell is the ineffective Mayor Shelbourne, while screen icon James Caan is Tim Lockwood - Flint’s father who’s a bit of a technophobe – which of course leads to a little bit of tension with out boffin hero.

This is without doubt a family movie, and amongst the interesting messages buzzing around is a scene featuring Sam the weather girl.  Without her glasses, she’s accepted by her mainstream media buddies; when she admits to wearing specs, and does so in order to better report on the outlandish proceedings, her fellow reporters demonstrate their cruel side, and classify her as a nerd and geek. It’s an interesting exchange, simply because it demonstrates the necessity for mainstream media sources to take the fun out of anyone who might know what they’re talking about, an encouragement of the cult of the moron, if you like. It’s a little life lesson about ad hominem attacks on people trying to get the truth out, especially when it contradicts the consensus reality.

The fact that when given the choice in this universe, the people wish for the worst fast food available says a lot about the social backdrop against which we all live.  The danger of over-consumption connected to nutritionally-challenged fast food has been well documented, but rather than wish for delicious but expensive food, here we have people begging for the cheapest and least beneficial.  The upside from the tale is that having all this stodge available is actually of no benefit to society.

The movie is fun and quick-paced, and is visually impressive. I can see what would attract children to it and would encourage them to stop fidgeting in their seats. The verbal performances are earnest and nicely pitched,

The 1-Disc DVD includes the widescreen presentation of the feature, plus a director’s commentary also featuring Bill Hader. Also included are a selection of deleted scenes with an introduction by the visual effects supervisor, a music video and interactive sing-a-long for “Raining Sunshine” performed by Miranda Cosgrove and a technically appealing “Food Fight” game, where players can help Flint battle against rogue food by navigating his spaceship and avoiding hits from flying pizzas and gummy bears.

The Blu-ray includes all features from the DVD, plus and enhanced version of the “Food Fight” game and a unique “Splat Mode!” feature which allows viewers to throw food at the screen while they watch the film. 

DVD bonus features include:

• Flint's Food Fight Game
• "Raining Sunshine" Music Video by iCarly's Miranda Cosgrove
• Interactive "Raining Sunshine" Sing-A-Long
• Behind the Scenes of Miranda Cosgrove's "Raining Sunshine" Music Video
• Directors' Commentary with Bill Hader
• Key Ingredients: The Voices of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
• Progression Reels with Introductions by Visual FX Supervisor Rob Bredow
• Extended Scenes
• Early Development Scenes
• A Recipe for Success: The Making of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Blu-ray exclusive bonus features include:

• All the materials from the DVD
• Interactive "Splat" Button (Throw Food at the Screen While You Watch the Movie!)
• Flint’s Food Fight Game – Enhanced for Blu-ray

“Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” is available on Blu-ray/DVD Combi Pack for a RRP £22.99, and on DVD for £19.99 – get both for less at www.culttvstore.com