Comments on: The Invisible Novelologist http://www.aleemartinez.com/the-invisible-novelologist/blog/25012010/ Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:01:23 +0000 hourly 1 By: A. Lee Martinezhttp://www.aleemartinez.com/the-invisible-novelologist/blog/25012010/comment-page-1/#comment-180 A. Lee Martinez Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:23:17 +0000 http://www.aleemartinez.com/?p=278#comment-180 I agree that the script is wonderful. It's not just that everything is foreshadowed, but that it's done so in clever ways you won't even think about. It's easy to give everything significance, harder to do so without drawing attention to itself. Watching Cloudy w/ a Chance of Meatballs a second time is rewarding because it illustrates surprisingly subtle and effective writing. Jokes that seem like throwaway gags actually have plot significance that is natural and unforced. It reminds me a bit of Kung Fu Panda and the peach tree debate. It's a great bit of dialogue that only afterwards takes on even great significance. Or The Incredibles, which explores characterization in such thoughtful grace. Well, I could go on, really. Because much of modern animated film and television illustrates that you can be fun and intelligent at the same time, and that great writing isn't found in how somber your plot is, but in the wit and heart at the story's core. Of course, great animation doesn't hurt either, and any movie with a kung fu battle on a falling rope bridge, a giant robot terrorizing a city, or a spaghetti tornado is bound to be classic. But it's nice to see films that don't take that for granted, and take the time to put together a great story while they're at it. I agree that the script is wonderful. It’s not just that everything is foreshadowed, but that it’s done so in clever ways you won’t even think about. It’s easy to give everything significance, harder to do so without drawing attention to itself. Watching Cloudy w/ a Chance of Meatballs a second time is rewarding because it illustrates surprisingly subtle and effective writing. Jokes that seem like throwaway gags actually have plot significance that is natural and unforced.

It reminds me a bit of Kung Fu Panda and the peach tree debate. It’s a great bit of dialogue that only afterwards takes on even great significance.

Or The Incredibles, which explores characterization in such thoughtful grace.

Well, I could go on, really. Because much of modern animated film and television illustrates that you can be fun and intelligent at the same time, and that great writing isn’t found in how somber your plot is, but in the wit and heart at the story’s core. Of course, great animation doesn’t hurt either, and any movie with a kung fu battle on a falling rope bridge, a giant robot terrorizing a city, or a spaghetti tornado is bound to be classic. But it’s nice to see films that don’t take that for granted, and take the time to put together a great story while they’re at it.

]]> By: Jamie Harringtonhttp://www.aleemartinez.com/the-invisible-novelologist/blog/25012010/comment-page-1/#comment-179 Jamie Harrington Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:38:41 +0000 http://www.aleemartinez.com/?p=278#comment-179 I've watched this movie SEVERAL times now. It's one of my daughter's favorites. My favorite thing about this movie is that every single thing they mention is used later in the story. Even the ratbirds end up with a big purpose. It makes me happy to see a MOVIE with that much thought put into the script. Especially one designed for kids. I’ve watched this movie SEVERAL times now. It’s one of my daughter’s favorites. My favorite thing about this movie is that every single thing they mention is used later in the story. Even the ratbirds end up with a big purpose. It makes me happy to see a MOVIE with that much thought put into the script. Especially one designed for kids.

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