Film Review: DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: RODRICK RULES (2011)

Director: David Bowers
Writer (screenplay): Gabe Sachs, Jeff Judah
Writer (book): Jeff Kinney
Running time: 96 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): U

Genre: Comedy/Family
UK Release date: 27^th May 2011

Watched on Sky+ Monday 7^th May 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I must admit I’m not entirely sure why I watched this film; the first one was pretty mediocre at best. I guess there are a couple of characters from the first one I enjoyed and so my subconscious was telling me to check them out again. Whilst not being the best film there were still things about it I enjoyed; but more of that after this brief summary.

Greg Heffley is back and he is not getting on with his big brother Rodrick. His mom has had enough and she devises a plan where the pair of them get to spend more time together in order to work out their differences. Add to this a new school year and a new girl, Holly Hills, starting in Greg’s class. Needless to say he is interested. His friends are also back; Rowley, Fregley and Chirag Gupta are all there to add to some spice of Greg’s life. When their parents go away for a weekend leaving Greg and Rodrick alone together events take a turn and the pair actually end up getting on together. Will it last? Well, I guess I had better not tell you that or the Spoiler Police (Brothers Division) will be taking away my big brother privileges (again)… Yes I am an evil older brother... but I actually get on with my younger sibling.

Quite well made with slightly more use of the cartoons I liked in the first one used to illustrate the story. These were woefully underused in the first film and, although still not used consistently enough, it was nice to see them still there. All the performances were pretty good so honourable mentions go to; Zachary Gordon as Greg Heffley, Devon Bostick as Rodrick Heffley, Rachael Harris as Susan Heffley (mom), Steve Zahn as Frank Heffley (dad), Robert Capron as Rowley Jefferson and Peyton List as Holly Hills.

I still think the character of Greg is a little too self-centred, for him it’s all about being popular which never seems to work out the way he plans. This time his big brother is going to help him out… or is he? In the first film I felt the character of Rowley stole the show and this time around it seemed he took more of a back seat with Rodrick moving nearer to the limelight. This didn’t work quite so well (for me) but I guess the production company must think they’re doing something right because the third instalment is already in the can. Over all, not as good as the first film but there were still a one or two good points… I’m undecided about the third instalment, but we’ll see next year when it airs on TV.

My score: 5.5/10

IMDb Score: 6.2/10 (based on 7,145 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1650043/

MetaScore: 51: (Based on 23 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 47/100 (based on 94 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 63/100 (based on 29,070 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/diary_of_a_wimpy_kid_2_rodrick_rules/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Bill Walter: Hey, no hard feelings, right?
Rodrick Heffley: Hey, Bill, you know what? After tonight, you're out of the band!
Bill Walter: What?
Rodrick Heffley: That's rock and roll, bro.

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Site: http://www.diaryofawimpykidmovie.com/
Trailer:

Film Review: DIARY OF A WIMPY KID (2010)

Director: Thor Freudenthal
Writers (screenplay): Jackie Filgo, Jeff Filgo, Gabe Sachs & Jeff Judah
Writer (book): Jeff Kinney
Running Time: 89 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): PG

Genre: Comedy/Family
UK Release Date: 20^th August 2010

Watched on Sky+ Saturday 7^th April 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Having been advised by many (mostly online) that this is a good film I decided to give it the once over. As usual, it wasn’t until afterwards that I checked the internet out to see how it fared in the rankings. Well, I have to say, on this occasion, I pretty much agree (score-wise) with the consensus. While not being great (it’s no ‘Home Alone’ that’s for sure), it’s also not as bad as it might have been. I will give you more of my thoughts after this brief summary.

Greg Heffley is just about to start middle school when we meet him. The film plots his life through that first year and we experience the many trials and tribulations he goes through. His best friend, Rowley, is also starting the same school and Greg is worried; mainly because Rowley hasn’t matured enough to be at middle school (in Greg’s opinion). This has some quite amusing consequences as Greg attempts to climb the popularity ladder (and usually fails). Other people to look out for are; Greg’s older brother Rodrick, he’s always trying to ‘advise’ Greg. There’s also the older woman (girl), the smart and witty Angie Steadman, who, for reasons best known to himself, Greg wants nothing to do with. Finally there’s Fregley, the lowest of the low, Chirag Gupta, even lower (height-wise) and the ever ambitious and precocious, Patty Farrell. I’ll leave it there or the Spoiler Police will be lowering my status on the social ladder (and we all know how important status is!... Don’t we?).

Quite well made although I did have the feeling I was watching one of those kids TV shows set in a school (there are many). Production values aside, I did like the use of the occasional cartoon to illustrate a point, if anything, I would have liked a few more of these. Performance-wise, I thought everybody did a decent job and so I’ll give honourable mentions to; Zachary Gordon as Greg Heffley, Robert Capron (who I really liked) as Rowley Jefferson, Devon Bostick as Rodrick Heffley, Chloë Grace Moretz (woefully underused) as Angie Steadman, Karan Brar as Chirag Gupta, Grayson Russell as Fregley and Laine MacNeil as Patty Farrell.

Never having read the books (I’m neither young nor American), I don’t feel inspired to do so on this evidence. Don’t get me wrong, the film was OK, but no more than that. I found the character of Greg was far too self centred and would go to almost any lengths to make himself look good, or at least not look bad. Now to some, that’s funny, but to me, I’m afraid it’s pretty lame and quite sad. Even so, there were some good points; I did like the ‘Cheese Touch’ story for instance and the way Rowley gets ahead by just being himself. Over all, a film that had some bad points and some good; I probably wouldn’t watch it again, but I may watch the sequel when it makes it to TV-land, just to see if Rowley ever grows up.

My Score: 6.0/10

IMDb Score: 6.1/10 (based on 12,287 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1196141/

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 53/100 (based on 103 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 48/100 (based on 95,500 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/diary_of_a_wimpy_kid/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Chirag Gupta: Good God, man. You almost got the Cheese Touch!

Greg Heffley: [looking at class favourites] The class favourites.
[opening the section]
Greg Heffley: They're the best in their class. These people aren't nobodies. They're famous. They don't have to worry about getting a seat in the cafeteria, either. Check this out. There's tons of things I qualify for: "Most Likely to Succeed", "Best Looking", "Class Clown". They should just give that to me right now.
Rowley Jefferson: Don't you have to be funny for that?
[spotting something in the section]
Rowley Jefferson: Hey! We can try for cutest friends!

Greg Heffley: I need something to make me a class favourite.
Angie Steadman: What about class favourites?
Greg Heffley: Don't you ever say hi or hello before you start talking?
Rowley Jefferson: [waves] Hi!
Angie Steadman: Hello.
Rowley Jefferson: Greg is only here because he wants to get into.
Greg Heffley: [interrupts] Rowley! I was just saying that I would really like to nail these people because it's so obvious they're only doing these activities to get into the yearbook.
Angie Steadman: You know, I like your point of view. You should sign up for the school paper. We are the voice of the people. Well, the people are mostly idiots so technically speaking we're the voice of the people making fun of the people.
Greg Heffley: Thanks, but I can't be on the paper because I'm going to be in the paper a lot. It would be a conflict of interest.
Angie Steadman: [nods] You're the people. Got it.

Patty Ferrell: This has got to be the worst fight ever!

Rowley Jefferson: [last lines] Zoo-Wee-Mama!

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Site: http://www.diaryofawimpykidmovie.com/
Trailer: