If you have a child under ten, there's a pretty good chance that you've seen this movie. Here's how things work in our family:
1. A children's movie is released.
2. We see the movie within 12 hours.
3. Before the movie begins we're treated to the coming attractions, advertising more children's movies that will be released in six months.
4. Eventually those movies are released.
5. Return to Step 1, repeat for the next ten years.
The sad truth of the matter is that a lot of these movies are disastrous and end up putting me to sleep within about twenty minutes. Every once in a while, though, a movie arrives that lives up to my daughter's hype. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is just that movie.
Now, I have to admit that I wasn't too excited to see this film. The previews were full of food falling from the sky, and that just didn't make too much sense to me. But then a funny thing happened. It turned out the story wasn't really about meatballs and spaghetti and sardines -- it was about Flint, a young boy recovering from the loss of his mother, yearning for the respect of his father, and searching for his place in the world, all while falling in love with a beautiful girl.
Isn't that the trick of most good movies, especially good children's movies? While the kids are busy stuffing their cheeks with popcorn and laughing at giant Jell-O molds falling from the sky, their parents will be identifying with the main character's father issues, remembering when they first fell in love, and reminding themselves always to appreciate the accomplishments of their children, no matter how bizarre.
If you saw the film, you already know all this, but if you didn't (or even if you did), I've got good news for you: the DVD comes out today. (I was lucky enough to get a copy last week, and the movie was just as good as we remembered it.) So swing by your local video store and pick up a copy. Tell 'em ShotgunDaddy sent you, and you just might get a discount!*
* In no way does the mentioning of the possibility of a discount imply a connection between ShotgunDaddy.com and your local video store. No reasonable person should expect a discount simply for saying the words "ShotgunDaddy sent me!" It is possible, however, that the employee at your local video store could make a mistake. For example, instead of ringing up $14.99, he or she might hit the 9 only once and charge you $1.49 instead, which would be pretty cool. On the other hand, he or she might hit the 9 three times, charging you $149.99, which would not be cool. In this instance, ShotgunDaddy.com is in no way responsible for any additional charges incurred. We suggest that you pay attention at the register.
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