Like all good stories, this one started in 1976. It was then Judi and Ron Barrett wrote the now popular children's book, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs. I'll admit I enjoyed reading the book to my kids, but making a movie out of it?
Turns out this adaptation isn't half bad. Kids' movies tend to fall into three groups. Either it's just for the kids, it's too much for the adults, or, like this one, it combines the two nicely.
The plot is pretty much the classic. Watch what you wish for because there is a dark side to getting things easy. While there are plenty of morals attached, it's not too overbearing.
It's kind of tough to keep perspective when reviewing kids' movies, so I brought a youngster with me and she was very insightful. For instance she didn't care that Mr. T, Bruce Campbell or Neil Patrick Harris lent their voices to some of the characters.
But she did like that there were no scary parts.
"Daddy, I liked the part where the policeman's son got sick," she said. "I learned if you eat too much candy you'll get sick."
Well that is just great. Apparently when Mommy and Daddy say it, nothing registers but Mr. T says it and people listen. Makes sense.
With rainy season here this is a good way to get out of the house with the youngsters for an hour or so. Right there, it's money well spent.
