As we drove nine hours home from that drop off, I watched Cloudy with a Chance for Meatballs for the first time and so many of the themes resonated with life lessons I desired for our own five children.
As our ten year old daughter and I snuggled in the back seat, and the first scene ran, I felt like I was peeking into something so many moms could relate to: encouraging the dreams for our children, regardless of their personality bent. I can’t wait to see these themes continue in the sequel, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2.
Can’t we all relate on some level?
Now yes, I am feeling a bit more nostalgic and sentimental, but don’t get me wrong, amidst some deeper plots, this movie was packed with zany twists and turns, alongside over the top humor, which makes kids want to watch it again and again.
What kids wouldn’t love to dream about an endless supply of jellybeans and sledding down ice cream slopes?
My daughter and I loved seeing all the goofy inventions that the lead character, Flint Lockwood, came up with, and enjoyed each adventure with him. We appreciated the perseverance he possessed in trying again and again to accomplish his goals, no matter what kind of discouragement he ran across. This movie allows for a lot of great discussion starters for parents about trying to fit in and be popular verse being true to yourself.
Of course, when asked her favorite character, scene and food, my daughter quickly named Sam Sparks, the quirky (her words) and brainy weathergirl, and Sam’s time in the Jell-O Palace.
“Can you imagine how much cool it would be to love Jell-O so much and be able to bounce and play in there?”
As an adult, this movie is so much more than I thought it would be. Based on the title, I thought it would be a bit corny, but I enjoyed it, not only for the imaginative plot of varying fun foods falling from the sky in place of the town’s rain, but also, there was a premium placed on attention to detail throughout the film, including great cinematography, colors and music, along with so many great lines written for both adults and kids. Those are the best kind of movies, in my opinion.
Over the years, I’ve enjoyed creating fun foods with my kids. From “ants on a log,” and our Thanksgiving Turkey Cake to Octopus hotdog swimming in our fishy sea, allowing kids imagination to create with their food makes special dinners more meaningful. It’s a perfect tie in for watching this fun movie.
*I was thrilled to work on this post for Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, which was sponsored by Sony. All opinions and ideas are my own.
