Featuring the voice talent of Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Andy Samberg, Bruce Campbell, and Mr. T
Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller
Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller
Finally! An animated movie this year that deserves to be a part of the Best Animated Feature category at the Oscars this year.
Flint Lockwood (voiced by Bill Hader) longs to be an inventor. Although ridiculed by those in town and seemingly looked down upon by his father (James Caan), he invents a machine that will allow water to be transformed into any food. When the machine accidentally gets shot up into the sky, he fears that his hard work was for naught. However, when it starts raining food (hence the title), he soon is being hailed as a genius. Unfortunately, the machine begins to go on the fritz and the food falling from the sky gradually becomes bigger and bigger, wreaking havoc on Flint's hometown of Swallow Falls.
This flick was shockingly adult in its humor -- I only counted one "poop" joke (and that was about a monkey throwing its feces...it was kind of funny). Instead of the cheap kiddie humor, this movie relies on witty dialogue and wonderfully animated mannerisms in order to invoke laughter. The voice acting here is top notch, too. From Bill Hader and James Caan's father/son relationship to Anna Faris as the love interest to Bruce Campbell as the ever-increasing-in-size town mayor to Mr. T as the tremendously funny cop, everyone does a really amazing job.
Animation-wise, the film looks pretty darn good, too. Sony Pictures Animation brought us the pretty good Surf's Up and the fantastic Monster House in years past (we can forget about Open Season). They're quickly becoming an animation studio to watch. As an animation fan, it's interesting to have another newish company that can maybe rival Pixar (this year, Sony won the battle for sure over Pixar's overrated Up ). The only issue in terms of the animation is that the 3D is nonexistent. Once again, another film where you just have to wonder why the heck is this in 3D if there's nothing popping out at me?
Flint Lockwood (voiced by Bill Hader) longs to be an inventor. Although ridiculed by those in town and seemingly looked down upon by his father (James Caan), he invents a machine that will allow water to be transformed into any food. When the machine accidentally gets shot up into the sky, he fears that his hard work was for naught. However, when it starts raining food (hence the title), he soon is being hailed as a genius. Unfortunately, the machine begins to go on the fritz and the food falling from the sky gradually becomes bigger and bigger, wreaking havoc on Flint's hometown of Swallow Falls.
This flick was shockingly adult in its humor -- I only counted one "poop" joke (and that was about a monkey throwing its feces...it was kind of funny). Instead of the cheap kiddie humor, this movie relies on witty dialogue and wonderfully animated mannerisms in order to invoke laughter. The voice acting here is top notch, too. From Bill Hader and James Caan's father/son relationship to Anna Faris as the love interest to Bruce Campbell as the ever-increasing-in-size town mayor to Mr. T as the tremendously funny cop, everyone does a really amazing job.
Animation-wise, the film looks pretty darn good, too. Sony Pictures Animation brought us the pretty good Surf's Up and the fantastic Monster House in years past (we can forget about Open Season). They're quickly becoming an animation studio to watch. As an animation fan, it's interesting to have another newish company that can maybe rival Pixar (this year, Sony won the battle for sure over Pixar's overrated Up ). The only issue in terms of the animation is that the 3D is nonexistent. Once again, another film where you just have to wonder why the heck is this in 3D if there's nothing popping out at me?
The RyMickey Rating: B+
Finally you saw this. Ive been waiting. I saw this last weekend and took your advice and sat up front and the 3d was great. The whole movie was really good too. It was the only 3d that i actually thought counted as 3d
ReplyDeleteI was a little disappointed in the 3D...but, the movie was stellar. I really enjoyed it. The more that I think about it, the better it becomes.
ReplyDeleteThe scene with the monkey pulling out the "heart" of the gummi bear? Priceless.
it could be argued that Up is actually underrated by you and rated fairly by others, as most people enjoyed it a heck of lot more than you did.
ReplyDeletei haven't seen this movie so i don't know if it truly is better than Up. but you had it out for Up since before the movie came out. you can't argue with me on that one Jeff, I know i'm right.
Less than three G, less than three.
ReplyDeleteActually, I can argue with you on Up, G. Just because the trailers didn't win me over like Wall*E's doesn't mean that I "had it out for Up." That's a bullshit line, sorry. Even with the low expectations that I had, it still didn't do a whole lot for me. Maybe upon a second viewing my thoughts will change, but Meatballs here was tremendously funny, and Up (which has a stellar opening act and a very weak last two-thirds) wasn't consistent throughout.
ReplyDeleteI agree Jeff, compared to this movie, Up totally sucked and I saw it twice in both formats.
ReplyDelete