Flint Lockwood (voiced by Saturday Night Live's Bill Hader) is an aspiring inventor, whose creations are almost there, but never exactly right. He invented spray-on shoes, but never considered how to get them removed, he came up with a flying car, but forgot to give it wings, he made a monkey thought translator, but never considered that monkeys might not have a lot to say. He lives in Swallow Falls, a tiny island that is famous for sardines. Or rather, it was famous for sardines until people realized that sardines were disgusting. He gets the bright idea to make a machine that will turn water into food, but his dad (James Caan) puts the kibosh on his latest scheme and forces him to come work at the bait shop with him. Flint sneaks out to get extra power for his machine, but ends up destroying the town's latest attempt to put themselves on the map: a sardine theme park. Intern and aspiring weather girl, Sam Sparks (Anna Faris) sent from New York to cover the theme park's unveiling, is caught in the cross-fire and none too pleased that her big break was destroyed by Flint. No matter how adorable his monkey, Steve (Neil Patrick Harris), may be.

Of course, that's before she finds out that his weather has shot into the stratosphere and has started dispensing food products onto the culinarily-starved people of Swallow Falls. She gets a chance to cover her big story (even though she gets made fun of by the weather channel anchor who is cleverly voiced by Al Roker). And soon Flint's invention has made him a town hero. Even the mayor (Bruce Campbell), who has an insatiable appetite, is in love with him. Well, until the machine starts shooting out steaks the size of kitchen-tables.

The vibrant, fast-moving film is filled with comedy for kids and adults. My favorite moment is when you discover that Manny the camera operator (Benjamin Bratt) is filled with many secret talents, but gave them up for a minimum wage gig in America. Though I did love the former child star, Baby Brent (Andy Samberg), searching for a way to extend his minutes of fame. It's too subtle for the under five set, but smart enough to entertain the grown-ups who get dragged to it. Oh, and the mayor and his ever-expanding waist line was something that audiences of all ages can giggle at. There's a fantastic moment at the end with the monkey translator that actually made me laugh-out-loud, but I'd hate to spoil it.

And the food looks great. The details here are pretty phenomenal. From the title meatballs to the smallest hot dog to the mounds of leftovers to a sparkling town filled with scoops of ice cream, it all is carefully crafted. The animators must have had a field day with this, and it shows.

I'll admit that there were a few frantic moments, and a weird scene involving Jell-O that felt a bit off, but overall, it was a tasty treat that reminded me of the first Shrek film, with its inside jokes, pop culture references, color scheme and even the way that it embellished on its scant source material. While purists who grew up adoring this book may quibble, if they actually dive in to this film, they'll find that they'll be satisfied.