Movie: “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”

Starring: Bill Hader and Anna Faris

Director:… Movie: “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”

Starring: Bill Hader and Anna Faris

Director: Phil Lord and Chris Miller

Studio: Sony Pictures Animation

Grade: A

“Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” falls somewhere between the comfort of your mother’s cooking and the novelty of a gourmet restaurant opening.

The nostalgia of a book you read as a child and its ever-entertaining cartoon clichés are comforting, like mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese. But, a unique plot line and 3-D graphics add some interesting spices to your ordinary children’s movie.

Through the post-eye-dilation-sized 3-D glasses, the plotline unfolds with a classic opener: a look into the childhood of our hero, Flint Lockwood.

As is usually the case with protagonists in children’s flicks, protaganist Flint Lockwood, played by Bill Hader, once struggled through the hardships of individuality, misunderstanding and taunts from his peers.

The only thing buoying his hopes is his understanding mother, who hands him his first official lab coat the night of an unfortunate spray-on shoe incident.

Fast forward several years and numerous “oops” inventions that have wreaked varying degrees of havoc on his town, and you meet the quirky, albeit lovable, adult Flint Lockwood.

Despite his disapproving father’s wishes, Flint and his best friend, Steve the monkey, toil hour after hour in his lab on projects destined to go awry.

Loosely explained by the world’s developing distaste for Flint’s hometown’s main export, sardines, Flint decides he can improve everyone’s lives with a machine that converts water into food.

At about this time, Sam Sparks, an enthusiastic but bumbling intern from a New York City TV station, played by Anne Farris, is sent to cover a story in Flint’s hometown.

After a series of unfortunate incidents, she meets Flint and they immediately bond with instant chemistry and nerdy banter.

As Flint’s stardom rises, so does the heat between him and Sam — in a kid-friendly way of course. He’s taking requests left and right for mouthwatering meals while pursuing Sam Sparks the only way he knows how: with a geeky and tasty flare.

What girl wouldn’t fall for a palace made entirely out of Jell-O? Certainly no one with a romantic side and affinity for the jiggly goodness, like Miss Sparks. They bond on their mutually dorky tendencies, which Sam, scarred by his childhood, attempts to hide at first.

Of course, no inventor movie would be complete without the main character being humbled by his own creation. When food starts raining down in portions that would make Texas-sized servings look diet, Flint realizes that only he can save the day. The only question is, is it too late?

The movie is busting with a cast of deliciously hilarious characters that pepper the plot with hilarity and likability.

Mr. T shouts in his characteristically gruff voice as Earl Devereaux, a fussy and enthusiastic local cop. He’s intense and performs superhuman gymnastic feats to protect his son, Cal.

Neil Patrick Harris shines as the voice of Steve the monkey. With his monkey translator, Steve can verbalize what precious few thoughts he has. However, Steve is excellently comical and engages in an almost gruesome and hysterical gummy bear battle.

Andy Samberg breaks into a meaty jock voice for his role as “Baby” Brent, a town spokesman who’s washed up after Flint steals the show. Despite his blatant stupidity and attention mongering, he proves to be that quintessential character that proves useful and even agreeable in the end.

Benjamin Bratt is the voice of Sam’s understated and undersized cameraman, Manny. With a bundle of talents and tricks up his sleeve, Manny is a pint-sized lifesaver. With medical skills, pilot training and dry humor, this guy doesn’t seem to lack anything — except maybe a smile every once in awhile.

What makes the movie particularly enjoyable is that it seems to accept the fact that it is, indeed, a movie. With scrumptious ironies and unrealistic storylines, it’s clear that a lot of the humor is intended to tickle adults as much as it amuses the children they accompany.

Perhaps it’s not aimed toward a college demographic, but this endearing children’s film is a yummy escape from the stressful world of papers and tests. It brings one back to a sweeter time of picture books at bedtime.

“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” has more than a chance of being an appetizing flick for this fall.