There’s manna from heaven, and then there’s pizza tornadoes. Based on a popular kid’s book, this blockily animated but witty film sees a depressed fishing town saved when mad scientist son Flint Lockwood (Hader) invents a machine that creates food from water.
Sly social commentary on media hype and binge eating follows as the black sheep nerd becomes a golden boy. The inclusion of Gen X icons like Bruce Campbell and Mr. T in the flawless voice cast suggests that the dialogue’s aimed squarely at parents leaving tots to be hypnotised by the giant ice cream drifts (in effective 3D).
Aside from a few overly familiar narrative themes – another American male with a father complex? – that slow the second act, the story races along to a satisfyingly filling conclusion. No Pixar, but a lot of fun.
