Film Review: ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules’ is Wacky Family Fare

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CHICAGO – The overwrought movie term “family fare” can automatically inspire a swift movement toward the exits. The true something-for-everyone film is rare, and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules” actually fulfills that standard. It’s strange, funny and heart-warming, plus features a cast that can deliver the somewhat oddball material.

Rating: 3.5/5.0

Based on the extremely popular book series by author Jeff Kinney, this is the second Wimpy Kid movie adaptation. Not only is this film stronger, but the main characters are allowed more space to flex their eccentricities and generate some nice comic moments.

The Wimpy Kid is Greg Heffley (Zachary Gordon), repeating his role from the first film. Greg is no longer the new kid in middle school, having matriculated to seventh grade. His best friend from the first adventure is also there, the always sunny Rowley (Robert Capron). The world seems better for Greg, if only he could eliminate his torturing brother, Rodrick (Devon Bostick). Oh, and also he has a crush on the new girl in school named Holly (Peyton List).

Greg’s Mom (Racheal Harris) is determined that her boys get along better, and institutes a new system of incentives that will be reward if they spend more time together. This pains Rodrick, for he needs the cash that the reward system doles out, but hates the prospect of sharing his life (which includes his rock band “Diaper Load”) with his wimpy brother. A somewhat false friendship is instituted, unknown to Greg, and challenged when the two are forced to spend the weekend together when their parents go out of town

The true “Rodrick Rules” become apparent when the older brother puts a party together in his parent’s absence, and locks Greg in the basement. If the Wimpy Kid can somehow get in touch with Rowley to save him, repair whatever relationship he has with Rodrick and get everyone together at the big talent show at the end, he might survive to the eighth grade.

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules”

They Rule: Zachary Gordon as Greg and Devon Bostick as Rodrick in ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules’ Photo credit: Diyah Pera for Twentieth Century Fox Films

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules”