The original Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs told the tale of a young and zealous inventor with a fascination for creating the unexpected.

With a list of failed inventions under his belt, the lead character Flint Lockwood finally invents something worthwhile when he creates a device that can make clouds rain down food items thereby saving his hometown from their depraved diet which, until now, consisted only of sardines.

All goes well until the town begins to get greedy with its dietary requests and chaos ensues. Motifs include family, greed, appreciation and nutritional health.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2, also produced by Sony Pictures Animation, picks up where the story left off. After the devastating consequences of food storms, Flint and friends must leave town. Flint is given the opportunity of a lifetime to partner with The Live Corp Company, which creates technology to aid in helping mankind and the environment.

Flint is faced with the daunting task of disabling his quirky machine once and for all, thus putting an end to its “rain” of terror. Along the way he must battle food-based creatures such as the hippotatoes and shrimpanzees.

While sequels are rarely as satisfying as their predecessors, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2, rated PG for mild rude humor, is visually appealing and action packed. Language humor, such as instances involving certain nouns being used as verbs and several rather humorous puns may go over the heads of young viewers, but provide older children and adults with several laughs. There is just as much visual humor as there is verbal, and the stunning animation is sure to capture the attention of children of all ages.

This is a great family-friendly film that is quirky and comedic enough for adults to find enjoyment in as well. There is no shortage of creativity and this film is sure to keep you laughing. There is no real violence other than minor things like cartoonish slaps. Sexualization is non-existent other than a PG kiss between Sam and Flint.

The cast of voice actors is chock full of talent and includes Bill Hader, Anna Farris, James Caan, Will Forte, Andy Samberg, Neil Patrick Harris and the list goes on. The core of the cast from the original Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs returns intact, beginning with Hader reprising his role as the innovative Flint Lockwood and Farris returns as the sweet Sam Sparks. Hollywood legend James Caan is also back in a hilarious turn as Flint’s father, Tim Lockwood.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 might not be as enticing to some as the first film, but it will still provide sound, age-appropriate entertainment for families and children. Some can even use this film to explain to children how all living creatures rely on their creator to exist and discuss the importance of family, acceptance and encouragement.

The New York Times describes the movie as being “sometimes so strange, colorful and wildly cute that it may end up becoming a “Yellow Submarine” for a new generation.”

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 is inspired by the beloved children’s book of the same title and is a definite go see.