Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 6+
Age-appropriate 3-D food adventure doesn't fully satisfy.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this adaptation of the classic children's book Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is bound to attract the
10-and-under set. While there's nothing overtly age-inappropriate in the movie, expect a bit of salty language along the lines of "hell" and and the occasional mild insult like "stupid" or "knuckle scrapers." The few tense/slightly scary scenes are weather- and giant food-related -- which could upset little kids who are sensitive to fears about natural disasters -- and there's a brewing romance between the main character and a weather reporter. Although no grand life lessons are offered, the movie does center on a son's need for fatherly encouragement and the idea that you shouldn't compromise who you are just to be popular. The movie's plot is very different than the book's, so anyone expecting a straight adaptation will be disappointed.
- Families can talk about the movie's message about compromising yourself for the sake of popularity. Is that ever worth it? How does Sam change once she knows that Flint likes that she's actually smart?
- How does the movie portray technology? When does the experiment go wrong?
- Why does Flint want his father's approval so badly? Does his father have a point in discouraging Flint's inventions?
The good stuff
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Educational value: Not much, unless you consider the movie as some sort of lesson about not eating genetically modified food.
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Positive messages: The messages in this movie aren't hit-you-over-the-head obvious, but kids who watch may take away positive ideas about being liked for who you really are and not having to change your appearance just to be cool. There's also a recurring theme about parents needing to have faith in their children, as well as negative consequences for unchecked greed.
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Positive role models: Flint shows Sam that she's beautiful even when she's "nerdy" and that she shouldn't dumb herself down for anyone. Flint's father learns to be supportive.
What to watch for
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Violence and scariness: A hurricane of food threatens to destroy Chew and Swallow, as well as other major cities around the world. Characters are in danger/peril due to enormous falling food -- and other food mutations (including somewhat creepy headless chickens). The "rat birds" are humorously creepy and pop up again and again -- in one case, a rat bird snatches up the "world's biggest sardine."
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Sexy stuff: Sam and Flint flirt with each other on several occasions, and in one sequence it's clear that Flint is "pursuing" Sam to be his girlfriend. After almost kissing a couple of times, they finally do kiss.
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Language: Mild insults and language include "hell hole," "knuckle scrapers," "crazy jerk," "stupid," etc.
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue