Review: Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Rodrick Rules

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules is a movie in which everything is candy-canes and ding-dongs. While there is just enough conflict to keep the plot going–a little sibling rivalry here, some teasing at school there–it never turns the mood sour. I don’t think I have ever before seen a film of such sustained cheerfulness, where every scene is meant to be taken in with the carefree sweetness of the aforementioned confections. And you know what? For the most part, this is a good thing. Given the obvious limitations of the material–the movie isn’t intended to really delve into the pains of being a “wimpy” kid so much as to invoke the relatable idea–it seems that the movie’s spirit is in the right place. After all, being a 12-year-old like protagonist Greg Heffley (Zachary Gordon) is something of a sugar rush, so why not capture that tonally? Sure, by the third act, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules may feel so downright happy that it’s entering a Charlie Sheen-esque episode of hypomania, but never fear: there are no “Goddesses” in this G-rated production.

In the first Diary of a Wimpy Kid movie, Greg was largely an insufferable asshole, before deciding to change his behavior at the very end. While it was somewhat interesting that the hero of a children’s film was so unlikable, spending time with the little punk made for a grating experience. Thankfully for the audience, a year later, you barely remember what Greg was like in the previous incarnation and, now a changed boy, he is perfectly pleasant to watch. It is his first year of middle-school and, along the way, he develops a crush on new girl Holly Hills (Peyton List), deals with his infantile older brother Rodrick (Devon Bostick), and furthers his friendship with dependable buddy Rowley (Robert Capron). At once, the story is exactly and nothing like what you experienced at this age. Yes, it is made up exclusively of everyday occurrences and has a nostalgic prepubescent energy, but at the same time it so damn tidy and smug. Upon recognizing this, however, one must remember: just like the books from which they were adapted, these movies are targeted at kids slightly younger than the characters, thus the need for exaggerated drama and humor.

As opposed to a Transformers picture made exclusively for teenage boys, I feel in this instance that narrowly pandering to a niche audience is acceptable. Because it is not “dumbed-down” for kids, the movie’s constant hyperbolic presentation, designed to grab their attention and illustrate moral lessons, is not detrimental to its overall quality. Not to mention, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules is markedly better than the first film was in implementing this technique; unlike his predecessor Thor Freudenthal, director David Bowers never seems like he’s ramming themes down our throats. Instead, as I noted in the introduction, the high-energy approach merely feels reflective of the spirited young cast. Adults in the audience may never truly buy the over-the-top caricatures and story-quirks, but they will become invested in their own right. Every once in awhile, it is nice to see a movie of such supreme innocence, without a bad bone in its body. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules may not be high art, but it is enjoyable for what it is and, for those with young kids, it will make for a godsend of a family outing: an entirely positive and uplifting experience, sans the insufferable animated ponies.

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2011, USA). Produced by Nina Jacobson, Jeff Kinney, Bradford Simpson, and Ethan Smith. Directed by David Bowers. Written for the screen by Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah, based on the book by Jeff Kinney. Starring Zachary Gordon, Devon Bostick, Rachel Harris, Robert Capron, Steve Zahn, Connor Fielding, Owen Fielding, Peyton List, Laine MacNeil, Grayson Russell, and Karan Brar. Distributed by 20th Century Fox. Rated G, with a running time of 96 minutes.