Inventing for Kids: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Yesterday an interesting animated film opened in theaters across the United States. The film by Columbia Pictures’ and Sony Pictures is titled Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and is billed as “the most delicious event since macaroni met cheese.” This film is based on a children’s book of the same title published in 1978.  Bill Hader, star of “Saturday Night Live” and Night of the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, is the voice of Flint Lockwood, a young inventor who dreams of creating something that will improve everyone’s life. Anna Faris takes on the role of Sam Sparks, a weathergirl covering the phenomenon. James Caan does the voice for Tim Lockwood, Flint’s technophobic father. Andy Samberg plays Brent, the town bully who has plagued Flint since childhood. Bruce Campbell does the voice for Mayor Shelbourne, who figures out that Flint’s invention can put the town, and more importantly himself, on the map and Mr. T is the voice of a by-the-book town cop Earl Devereaux.

The official trailer of the movie (according to YouTube – see below) shows a young inventor growing up making some strange inventions, like a TV that walks (and then leaves the house) and a hybrid rat-bird, among other failed inventions.  The trailer explains that Flint is the type of inventor who just never gives up, which seems descriptive of most inventors, particularly those who ultimately wind up successful.

A different trailer for the movie (see below) the premise is explained in a bit more detail, explaining that when his hometown falls on hard times he decides he needs to do something. It turns out that the only thing that people can afford to eat are sardines because “sardines are super gross.” So Flint comes to the rescue and creates an invention that turns water into food, which causes all sorts of food to fall from the heavens, which comes with its own unique problems, including pizza that chases you. The movie looks like it will be fun for all ages, and particularly so for those of us in the invention business who have kids. In addition to this movie perhaps being fun for the family, it might also plant an early seed in the mind of kids that science and inventing can be cool and fun.

Burger King Corp. is teaming up with Sony Pictures in a promotion for Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. As part of the promotion, Burger King Corp. will support Feeding America, the film’s charitable partner, by promoting awareness of Feeding America’s childhood hunger initiatives. Burger King Corp.’s newly revamped kids’ Web site, www.ClubBK.com, will offer kids the opportunity to become “Hunger Helpers” and rally behind the charitable organization via an online game where kids will receive virtual rewards for Crown donations, information about the charity, and tips on how to support local food banks. The Burger King promotion will last for 4 weeks promotion with national television and digital advertising, in-restaurant merchandising and a set of eight movie-themed toys currently available with the purchase of a BK® Kids Meal through Oct. 11. Kraft Foods is also supporting Hunger Action Month with a $25,000 donation to Feeding America.

Feeding America is a domestic hunger-relief charity through which a network of members supply food to more than 25 million Americans each year, including 9 million children and 3 million seniors.