Z/Web

I’ve never read the children’s book this film is based upon so I can judge the adaptation, but my feeling is that I’d find the same flaws in both. It’s probably just me being too rational, but I have serious trouble with this kind of story with no link to reality. Everything is just too illogical. It’s not that I don’t love fantasy or magic, I do: but good stories are consistent and believable in their own world. This one actually throws out scientific mumbo-jumbo as though it’s being realistic, then has cooked chickens coming to life. Is this magic or science? I also had serious problems with the main character, which is at the heart of the film. The crazy scientistic/geek is someone we’re supposed to love because he has a heart of gold and “thinks different” and yet he’s a total moron and incompetent scientist. There was no explanation of why his inventions failed (most were jaw-droppingly stupid). Why not make him have some sort of block or reason why he fails and in the climax of the picture he overcomes that obstacle and invents something successful? I just couldn’t relate or like someone so dumb, as lovable as he seemed.

All that said, I still sort of liked this. I wanted to really like it, but it’s merely okay. It’s silly and dumb but harmless and fun, the computer artwork is excellent, and it has humor and moves at a good pace. Unfortunately, I am saddened by the waste of potential: the idea of it raining food is brilliant (as is the title), but it’s just an inept and nonsensical story.