Last week marked the debut of the Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs film, a Sony Pictures Animation release loosely based on the 1978 book, written by Judi Barrett and illustrated by Ron Barrett. To coincide with the movie's release, Ubisoft shipped a video game, allowing players to tackle meatballs, Jell-O squares and other dangers with various characters, but is it good? That's what we'll find out in this Game Vs. Movie special.

If anything, both the film and video game make us hungry. Click to see more images from the game...

The story of Meatballs

The original 1978 book isn't as science heavy as the movie or the game. Two children listen to their Grandpa Henry tell the story of the town of Chewandswallow, a place where food and beverages rain down on the residents three times a day. Unfortunately, it soon gets out of hand, with giant pancakes crushing the school and a tomato sauce tornado threatening the citizens.

The film brings the storyline into modern-day. It features Flint, a young inventor who's never gotten anything right, despite his ambitions. One day, he creates a device that transforms water into food via internal processor. It takes off to the skies and, soon after, rains down hot dogs and hamburgers. Eventually, the machine goes out of control, forcing Flint to spring into action to shut it down.

Game vs. Film

Ubisoft's game follows the film's narrative, although it has a number of objectives for Flint to complete as he sets out to deactivate the FLDSMDFR (Flint Lockwood Diatonic Super Mutating Dynamic Food Replicator). Players will use a number of gadgets throughout each stage, including a heat gun, a mechanical fork and an automated boxing glove. If they have friends nearby, they can join via local co-op play, tagging along as Flint's faithful companion, the talking monkey, Steve.

Sony Pictures Animation may not be on the same level as Pixar, but its latest work is full of charm. The film features a number of terrific characters, including Flint, his dad and his new love interest, Sam, a TV reporter looking for her big break. Each character comes to life, thanks to the talented voice actors, including Bill Hader, Ana Faris, James Caan and Bruce Campbell. (Yes, Ash from the Evil Dead trilogy.)

The film features superb animation, despite some characters looking like Sesame Street rejects (Flint's dad, for instance, has a fuzzy unibrow that makes it near impossible for him to see). Watching food rain from the sky is an interesting sight, and the action sequences are fun to watch. (Do yourself a favor and catch it in 3-D. It's more entertaining when the food comes right at you.)

Unfortunately, charm is where the video game comes up short. There are no clips from the film, just sequences that look like they were crudely slapped together at the last minute. Soundalike actors fill the roles, and players will grow tired of Flint's comments ("Bigacious Pow!").

That, however, pales in comparison to the game's limited camera angle. It stays in one spot throughout the entire adventure, so players can keep an eye on Flint and his surroundings, but it's too close. Half the time, they'll miss crucial items, such as food or helpful pools of goo that refill the squirt cannon. Even worse, it's hard to judge the distance between moving platforms, causing Flint to miss his landing and die.

In addition, players switch between weapons, hauling around sausages and piles of butter. While it's interesting to combine the effects of these weapons (making a bouncing marshmallow stand still by spraying syrup on the ground and then vaporizing it with a heat gun), there's little challenge to beating the game.

Over too soon

The movie clocks in at 90 minutes, the sweet spot for a children's flick. It'll leave kids happy without making them fidget, and it provides a few laughs for adults.

Unfortunately, the game left us wanting more. Ubisoft's adventure lasts about two to three hours at best, maybe a little longer if players set out to collect everything and build the ultimate weapon. There's no reward, save for some trophies and achievements. They can unlock most of what this game has to offer the first time around.

There really should've been more to it. Players have five acts with four to five stages apiece, and once that's done, they only have the option to go through it again. No mini-games, film clips or extra co-op features.

See the movie, but rent the game

Overall, Sony Pictures Animation's latest work is its best yet. Sure, fans of the book may feel bummed by the liberties taken with the story, but it was for the better. Flint is a lot of fun to watch, as are his friends (especially Steve, who has an memorable scene fighting Gummi bears). It's a great flick no one should miss, especially in 3-D.

As for the game, it's below average. Unless you're a kid, a fan of the movie or someone looking for a few easy Xbox 360 achievement points and PlayStation 3 trophies, we suggest letting this food storm pass you by.