Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Movie Grade: B

I knew about Diary of a Wimpy Kid long before I knew it was a movie. Thanks to many trips to Barnes and Noble with my 10-year-old little brother in search of the latest installment to Jeff Kinney‘s illustrated book series, I was quite familiar with this so-called “wimpy kid.” So it’s no surprise that when the movie was released, my theater-going companion was none other than my mini-film-critic-in-the-making bro. I valued his opinion above all else – 1. Because the kid knows a good movie when he sees one. And 2. Because obviously, he’s the target audience.

So if we’re going by his opinion, and the opinion of the dozen or so chattering kids also in the theater who were seeing the film as part of a birthday party, Diary of a Wimpy Kid was a hit. Apparently, kids really dig this stuff. My brother thought it was a funny and enjoyable film, although he did admit it strays from the books. And here’s where his smart insight kicks in. He described the books as being more of a collection of random events, while the movie structured it into more of a cohesive story with a set beginning, middle and end. Makes sense. That form just works better on screen – and it especially makes a kids’ movie easier to digest.

The film focuses on middle school student Greg Heffley (Zachary Gordon) – the “wimpy kid,” though he would never describe himself as such. His mom makes him keep a diary, ahem, journal where he vents his dreams, goals and frustrations. Mostly he complains about his kooky family (Rachael Harris and Steve Zahn play his parents) – especially his obnoxious older brother Rodrick (Devon Bostick) – and the trials of middle school life. His main goal at the start of 6th grade is to fall in with the cool crowd, an achievement immediately hindered by his dorky best friend Rowley (an adorably oblivious Robert Capron) and his own tendency to completely miss the mark on what constitutes as “cool.” (He joins wrestling because he thinks it’ll be just like what he watches on Wrestlemania. He doesn’t anticipate the embarrassing uniforms and being relegated to scrawny, smallest weight class. Getting beat up by a girl doesn’t help either.)

Ultimately, Greg has some lessons to learn. Being cool isn’t everything, after all. His selfish pursuits drive his best friend away and Greg must consider what’s more important to him – his middle school reputation or a great pal. The message is simple and not terribly original, but it’s one that kids can relate to time and time again. And adults, it’ll take you back to your own awkward pre-teen days…shudder…

Each of the young actors showed real talent – I especially got a kick out of roly-poly Rowley. Though I did feel

precocious up-and-comer Chloe Moretz (500 Days of Summer, Kick-Ass) was a bit underused as Angie, a wise middle-schooler content on being an outcast. I also would have liked to see more of Steve Zahn as the bumbling dad. There were also some childish gags (one involving a nasty piece of cheese, another involving boogers) that just won’t resonate the same for adults but will get plenty of delighted “Ewws” from kids.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is definitely a movie to see if you’ve got a kid to take with you. They’ll make you pay for their ticket and their popcorn and at least two boxes of candy (darn kids and their lack of money), but they’ll also make the viewing experience that much more fun. They’ll think you’re cool because you know what Diary of a Wimpy Kid is, and you might even find yourself cracking a smile or two.

Movie Grade: B

Synopsis:

Seventh grader Greg Heffle (Gordon) outlines the events and adventures of his daily life in the diary his mother forces him to keep.