It's always a challenge to take a well loved story and adapt it to film. Often it involves cutting much of the story (as in all the Harry Potter films) to make the film a manageable length. Fans of books often react negatively to such changes.

In the case of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, cutting isn't the issue; rather the book is such a small book with so little actual plot, to make a film requires adding a great deal to the book. Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller both count the book among their favorites from childhood, but in making the film they had to completely reinvent much of the book. Although the film is very different than the book, the sense of whimsy (perhaps even absurdity) that makes the book so enjoyable is still central. Even though the plot has greatly expanded, nearly all of the visual joys of the book have been included so that those who have loved the book will not feel shortchanged.

The book is a simple bedtime story about a land where weather takes the form of food, which in time becomes a problem, forcing the population of Chewandswallow to leave their home. The film has that as a core, but has developed an entire story to explain how that phenomenon came to be—the work of a nerdy inventor, Flint Lockwood, who just wants to make the world a better place. His inventions through the years have been busts. His latest machine makes food out of water, but when it goes ballistic and ends up in the clouds, the weather turns to food—first by raining cheeseburgers.

Covering this story for The Weather News Network is Sam Sparks, a cute young intern who sees this as her big break. Sam is as nerdy as Flint, except she has learned to hide behind trying to be a dumb blond. Soon however, she and Flint have to put their minds together to save the world from the food machine run amok.

Whereas the book is a simple tale of imagination and fun, the film provides a chance to encourage children not to be ashamed of their failures or of being different. For Flint and Sam, trying to fit other people's ideas of what they should do and who they should be has never led them to happiness. Their time together as they work to save the world gives them a chance to discover how good being themselves can be. It also reminds parents to be encouraging of the creativity and individuality of their children.

Along the way (and really a bit below the radar), the story also gives us something of a basic introduction to sin. I found it interesting that six of the attitudes often called the Seven Deadly Sins made their way into this story. Brent, the town celebrity, is the embodiment of sloth and hubris. The Mayor is a combination of greed, gluttony, and envy. Earl, the town policeman, often reflects anger, even though he also has a soft and loving side. (The deadly sin missing is lust.) Each of these "deadly sins" brings complications to the story, just as they inevitably bring sorrow into life.

Just as the book is designed for children but is often enjoyed by adults as well, the film seeks to include adults in the fun. There are jokes and puns that will be more enjoyable to the grownups than to the kids, although there is plenty of humor for the children as well. The film keeps the absurdist element from the book, and that is really what made the book so well loved through the years.