Writer: Syahida Kamarudin

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Watch this if you liked: “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatball” & “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”

Have you ever thought that something that looks so cute can also make you laugh and feel hungry simultaneously? "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2" is just that.

Although the first movie was based on Judi and Ron Barrett's book of the same name, the sequel does not follow "Pickles to Pittsburgh" - another one of Barretts' book. Instead, the writers create their own story about what happened to Swallow Falls after the destruction of Flint Lockwood's 'flmdsfr' machine that turns water into food.

To describe it more easily, the sequel is like what happens if the movie "King Kong" marries "Wonderpets". Directors Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn introduce us to a new breed of cuteness in the form of the foodimals - a hybrid of food and animals that will make your children (or your girlfriend) squeal with happiness. Stand back Minions of "Despicable Me", because Barry the Strawberry and his friends, including the mosquitoasts, the pickles, the shrimpanzees, the suships and the adorable-to-death marshmallows will give you a run for your money.

The idea of Swallow Falls turning into a foodimal jungle was a creative one, not for the whole mysterious place with bizarre creatures idea ("Dr. Doolittle", "King Kong", "Journey to the Centre of the Earth", "Labyrinth" to name a few), but how the look of the island was executed - from the coconut milk waterfall and the maple syrup swamp, to the creatures that dwell in it. The script is filled with food puns, as well as the trademark too-fast-that-you-almost-missed-it absurd jokes and at times positively silly humour that "Cloudy" is known for.

Flint Lockwood is still the same enthusiastic scientist, and this time showing his fanboy-dom over his idol, Chester V and The Live Corp Company. The whole plot is more or else Flint's journey with the people he loves - his father, Sam, Manny, Brent, Earls and Steve the monkey, and also his dilemma - when he was asked to choose between his friends and his dreams.

In terms of the 3D treatment, while it was good enough to watch the movie without it, it is more magnificent to see it in 3D when it comes to some of the scenes, like while Flint is in the Live Corp building, or the magnificent view of Swallow Falls as a foodimal jungle.

In short, adults (especially pun-lovers) will enjoy the movie for its humour and children will be entertained by the cuteness of it all. And there is something extra for the audiences mid credit-roll so stay in your seats for it!

Cinema Online, 27 September 2013