In a year full of more cinematic disappointments than you can shake a stick at, it comes as a real surprise to me that one of my most enjoyable movie going experiences of the summer comes as a result of an adult themed, animated cartoon called Sausage Party. In years gone by a film like this probably wouldn’t have registered as strongly as it did for me but considering the vast wasteland that cinema has become these days it’s not a surprise that a film featuring walking and talking grocery store items left with me with such a great feeling after exiting the theater.

The film is the brainchild of Seth Rogen. Rogen is an affable enough presence on screen and also in interviews promoting his projects but his last several films have really left me wondering if his creative well had run dry. I would say that with Sausage Party the answer is no. Sure the film is of the adult variety but, contrary to what’s been said about it in the press, it’s far from the non-stop raunch fest that you might believe it to be. The more over the top antics are reserved for the beginning and ending of the film and, be warned, they earn the film its distinction of being an animated adult comedy.

The premise of Sausage Party, as mentioned previously, revolves around the secret life of grocery items, taking us into their world as the assorted foods and such come to life after a typical grocery store closes its doors for the day. There are various hot dogs, hot dog buns, taco shells, cans of beans, donuts and what have you, voiced by such actors as Rogen, Kristen Wiig, Jonah Hill, Salam Hayek, Edward Norton and many other well-known actors. It sounds like an infantile premise to be sure and one whose main purpose is to hang upon gross out gags. The biggest surprise, however, is how Rogen and company manage to sneak in existential debates about such things as the meaning of life, among other things, in the midst of a cartoon priding itself on its raunch factor.

Sausage Party contains many inspired moments and I will admit that not every joke is a winner. Still, one must give credit to a film attempting to get at some of the bigger universal truths while remaining true to its sophomoric humor roots. It works and is one of the better times I’ve had at the movies this summer.

Sausage Party is playing in Hickory and all around this area.

Questions or comments? Write Adam at [email protected].