Manny is a "jack of all trades" who accompanies Flint Lockwood and Sam Sparks on their adventures in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2.
| “ | He is a man of few words and great talent. | ” |
— "The Art and Making of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs"
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Appearance[]
Manny's design and walk are strongly influenced by UPA animated pictures in the 1940s and 50s.[1] His movements are never wasted, emphasizing his efficiency and effectiveness in everything he does. He has short limbs and a minimalistic frame, further emphasizing the minimalism and efficiency of his personality.
Personality[]
Manny is a stoic man of few words, but talented and intelligent. Everything is done with peak precision, and no action is taken or words spoken unless necessary. Similarly to Tim Lockwood with his monobrow, his eyes are often obscured by his hat, only revealing strong emotion under extreme circumstances.
Manny has a history as a comedian, and his style of comedy is very dry and deadpan.[2] However, he is shown to enjoy wordplay, coming up with creative food puns while naming the Foodimals.[3]
He has a fondness for cute kittens and is willing to do anything to protect them.[4]
History[]
Early Life
Manny grew up in Guatemala, and has family members across the southwestern United States, including Santa Fe, New Mexico and Santa Monica and Santa Ana in California.[5]
From a young age, he developed a skill for bashing piñatas every year on his birthday - a tradition that continued well into adulthood with the support of his mother.[6] Before moving to the United States, Manny became a doctor. He was also a comedian and a pilot,[2] and is licensed to operate cranes and racecars.[4]
He moved to the U.S. for a better life, living briefly in Swallow Falls before moving to New York to work for the Weather News Network.[2]
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
The producer at Weather News Network paired Manny with Sam Sparks as the cameraman for her broadcast of the grand opening of Sardine Land in Swallow Falls. He and Sam worked amicably together, Manny's stoic silence balancing out Sam's exuberant energy.
After the Spaghetti Twister tore through the grand opening of Chewandswallow, Calvin Devereaux had fallen into a food coma after eating too much junk food. Manny revealed that he was a doctor in Guatemala and healed Cal.
When Flint decided to fly up to reach the FLDSMDFR using the Flying Car II, Manny volunteered to be a pilot. "I am also a particle physicist," he deadpanned, before clarifying that "no, that was a joke. I am also a comedian." In the skies, Manny proved himself to be a capable pilot, with Flint admitting "you're a lot better than me." Manny was able to retrieve Sam and Brent from the Meat-a-roid before it exploded and returned them safely to the ground.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2
When Flint and Sam designed Sparkswood, Manny volunteered to help in any way that he could. After being relocated to San Franjose, Manny found employment as a veterinarian, with job duties such as helping a cow deliver her calf. However, he remained loyal to Flint, willing to drop everything (including the newborn calf) to return to Swallow Falls.
Manny continued to be of invaluable assistance on the island, even cooking his famous "Gorilla Stew" for the gang. He also pieced together that the Foodimals had attacked because they had knowledge of Live Corp that Flint did not, turning the Live Corp logo backwards to reveal the word "Evil."
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Manny appears to be wielding a Sony camera in the first film.
- Manny is bilingual, speaking English and Spanish.
- The secret to making a Gorilla Stew? "You keep it waiting for two hours."
- With the exception of the LIVE Corp robotic suits, He is the only character that can walk on Syrup, all other character have a harder time walking on it.
- In a deleted scene shown, Manny is also a psychologist.[7]
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| Characters | |
| Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Characters | |
| Flint Lockwood • Sam Sparks • Steve • Tim Lockwood • Brent McHale • Earl Devereaux • Manny • FLDSMDFR • Mayor Shelbourne • Calvin Devereaux • Fran Lockwood • Joe Towne • Regina Devereaux • Rufus • Patrick Patrickson • Macaroni Head Guy • Sardines • Vance LaFleur | |
| Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 Characters | |
| Chester V • Barb • Foodimals • Barry the Strawberry |