I actually got asked a lot how I felt about this: people know I like Cloudy and they know I like to rant, so I think they expected an outpouring of rage, but outpouring came there none. I was glad that Cloudy was getting a sequel; even if it was rubbish, I knew this meant that Cloudy was somewhat important- it was present enough in people's minds that Sony were ready to make a film sold solely on the basis of it being related to it. And this made me happy, because I like to think that my favourite film is known to people. But what did I actually think of the sequel itself?
Well, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 confirms something that I've long suspected- that it isn't just the comedy that makes Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs great. Cloudy 2 just isn't as funny as Cloudy 1, there's no denying. It's not even as funny as, say, Silver Linings Playbook or Bridesmaids: I laughed out loud a couple of times, and I chuckled often, but it doesn't reach the dizzying comedic heights of the first film. However, that doesn't mean there isn't a lot to recommend it.
With regards to the script, the thing to really mention are the puns: the original Cloudy had a couple of memorable word plays, such as
"A pea soup fog!"But otherwise it was more about dialogue, and screwballisms. The second instalment dials up the puns to previously unthinkable levels. Normally, I tolerate puns with pursed lips and maybe sometimes a wry eyebrow. The difference here is that these are puns which could not be made otherwise, for example 'flamango' or 'apple python', and they're delivered with such innocent gusto, not the wearied cynicism that many punners go for, and so they earn themselves a free pass.
These traits- innocence and gusto, that is- bring me onto another strength of the film: the characters are very likeable, defined and consistent. I know this should be a given and not a notable point for any film worth its salt, but I feel its worth mentioning just how much I enjoy being in the company of Flint, Sam, Earl, Brent and Tim- they are extremely fun to spend an afternoon with. I care about them- I want them to be happy and, crucially, I feel they have lives outside of the plot: I can see them going on living after the cameras stop rolling. There is some emotional conflict in the film regarding relationships between characters and it doesn't feel forced or even corny- I want the characters to make-up and be friends again, because they're better together and I care about their well-being. That's important.
There is also a lot of joy to be had with the design on the film: it really does make it worth seeing this film on a cinema screen, the look of the thing is just so captivating and unique. You can tell that everyone involved with creating the look of this picture gave it their all and really had fun. In fact, I think this is one of the things that really clicks with me about these films- there is such an air of joie-de-vivre about them.
A note should also go the voice acting in the film- there are no real celebrities involved, just actors who are good at conveying emotion vocally and hitting punchlines. It works splendidly and is a welcome change from all-star casted animations where the voices just don't match the characters.
The plot of Cloudy 2 is much, much more complex than that of the first one, and in a way that's a good thing, because it partially helps fill the gaps left by the comedy. But it does also mean more expositing needs to be done and while the film never lapses into tedium, it certainly doesn't zip along like the first.
You might have noticed I'm not really giving any weaknesses here, and that's cos the film doesn't have any, in my opinion. That doesn't mean it's perfect, just solid. There is no one area where it lags. Sadly, it's impossible for me to talk about this film without comparing it to the first, and I understand that that's unfair. It's like if your name also had to be mentioned in the same sentence as Alexander the Great- you'd feel kind of maligned. But the first film is just so seminal (to me, at least) that it's inevitable.
I would definitely recommend this film- no, it's not a masterpiece like the original, but it's a cut above and definitely worth the time it takes from your life to watch it all the way through. If you can't find anything to enjoy in it, then I really don't know what you would enjoy. Watching paint dry? Stamp collecting? Transformers?
