James Butlin | On 25, Feb 2014

Director: Cody Cameron, Kris Pearn
Cast: Bill Hader, Anna Faris, Will Forte, Andy Samberg
Certificate: PG
Watch Cloudy 2 online in the UK: Netflix UK / TalkTalk TV / Apple TV (iTunes) / Sky Store / Rakuten TV / Google Play

Gone are original directors of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (too busy with LEGO and Channing Tatum), and in are Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn for this animated sequel. A pairing who haven’t directed together before, both have been involved in various roles in other family films, including the Shrek movies.

The loss of Lord and Miller is immediately felt: the effortless whimsy is no longer present and too much time is spent setting up a plot. The food puns are still there, but too much effort is put into them, as they offer cheap laughs every few minutes.

Cloudy 2 sees the characters from the first film return to Swallow Falls, the island that has now turned into a sprawling jungle of food animals. It’s a classic case of a sequel picking a formula from the original that works and running with it. The attention to detail just isn’t there and it loses appeal, despite having the same immediately recognisable voice cast. The likes of Bill Hader, Andy Samberg and Anna Faris return with the addition of Terry Crews (originally played by Mr. T) providing the same brilliant comedy acting he adds to all of his roles.

Although there are a number of chuckles, the first film’s naïve charm moves to make way for a more standardised adventure story with extra food-based jokes. Sometimes, you can’t have your cake and eat it too.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 is available on Netflix UK, as part of an £9.99 monthly subscription.

 

Where can I buy or rent Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 online in the UK?

Add to Watchlist