So when we last left you, scientist Flint Lockwood (voice of Bill Hader) had ruined the world. Now, he leads a normal life while the world cleans up the mess he made. What’s wrong with this picture? I mean, other than the obvious BP metaphor, of course. Flint is still a hero? Just as I’m sure BP execs are still heroes in their own minds. And LIVE corporation has relocated the Shallow Falls island citizens to San Franjose (cute, huh?), while it cleans up all the food created by Flint’s invention from the first film.
Isn’t fresh water more valuable than food? I never got that. Converting waste materials, or rocks, or earth or sand or weeds to human food – that’s a trick. Converting water? Aren’t we earthlings better off with the water?
If you’re gonna argue with the premise, you’re never gonna make it through Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2. So, lemme shorten this – dude builds a machine that makes food out of water. Too much food happens. Machine has to be shut down. That was movie #1. Movie #2 – food must be cleaned up but has turned into living breathing organisms. Organisms that threaten. Uh oh. Meanwhile, Flint has a job at Apple-inspired LIVE corp. (“there’s a coffee station every 10 feet!”) He’s working like a demon to earn the orange vest of 
intolerance. I don’t remember what it’s really called; it just means that he gets to play with the big boys and shun the commoners once he’s earned the right.
While it’s not odd to see a cartoon character overact, Flint takes it to a new level; he is already the least emotionally stable toon since Fred Flintstone. Must be in the name. Floored when he fails the orange challenge, Flint drags himself home and mopes as only a 2D figure or an actress in a romcom can. And then he gets invited back to Shallow Falls anyway because the CEO can’t find the original invention. Geez, how hard did ya look? And Flint takes with him dad (James Caan) and Mr. T, er Terry Crews, and Anna Faris and anybody else who showed up in the credits of the first film. Why? Because it’s possible we might remember them. I use the royal “we” here; I didn’t even remember much of Flint.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 has fun on the island. A hideous carnivore? The “taco-dile supreme.” A butterfly that sucks actual butter. “Ah, there’s a leek in the boat!” I can’t fault the effort. They clearly wanted to entertain. And the creatures initially presented as fierce suddenly turn cute and docile once we meet them. Hmmmm. Seriously, does no one get déjà vu here? Jurassic Park – mad scientist create greatness for the benefit of all; ends up backfiring. Jurassic Park II – battle between dudes who think these unnatural abominations should be destroyed and those who feel that despite the fact that these creatures don’t belong in this world, they ought to stay, darn it, because, well, just because they’re alive. Can Spielberg sue? Can Crichton sue? Can I sue?
So let me get this straight – you invented this machine to solve a hunger crisis, and not only did you fail to do so, now we’re battling to keep the creatures alive, thus creating a greater shortage of food. Huh. Why, that’s the exact opposite of what you were trying to accomplish. That’s almost like a conservative trying to prove global warning doesn’t exist. Well, I’m convinced.
♪It’s raining flan, Hallelujah, it’s raining nan. Amen.
I’m gonna fill up, I’m gonna eat just like I lost a bet
It’s raining spice, Hallelujah, and packaged rice, yeah Uncle Ben,
Turkey slices dark and lean
Salads Cobb and Caesar and green
Flint Lockwood, that cock
He’s single, what a shock
He played God and made
A delish monster parade
Now they’ve come alive, every taste and flavor
The edibles you know are returning the favor♫
D: Cody Cameron, Kris Pearn
W: John Francis Daley, Erica Rivinoja and Jonathan M. Goldstein .
Genre: Mad science, bad science
Type of person most likely to enjoy this film: Your pun-loving ten year old
Type of person least likely to enjoy this film: Michael Crichton, who probably isn’t reaping any rewards from this Jurassic Park reboot
♪Parody inspired by “It’s Raining Men”
