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

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Rating: 3.5/5.0

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.

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 rewarded 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

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

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.

What sounds like a post-modern white bread movie actually has a sensibility and humor element all on its own. Generating laughs from sibling rivalry is a challenge, but not impossible, if allowed an innocence and truth. No family is perfect, as Wimpy Kid unerringly points out, and it is those imperfections that create the cumulative eccentric make-up of successful families. Love and a grudging respect is the rule here, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be funny.

With the family the focus in this adventure, rather than the middle school (which dominated the first film), the individual members get their opportunity to shine. Devon Bostick’s portrayal of Rodrick is a whirling force of nature, all bluster and cruelty lost in adolescence, but revealing a insecure side that wasn’t evident in the first film, which he uses to create some good comedy. Steve Zahn as the Heffley Dad is just great here, expanding on his appearance in the first film by continuing his aberrant slow burn, as if he’s hiding a devastating secret.

The main protagonists in the first film, Greg and Rowley, are able to add their bits here and there, including a sleep over viewing a strange horror film involving a foot. Rowley is especially charming, the eternal optimist with a mother fetish (no kidding) who always believes that everything will be okay. Is it any doubt he becomes the life of any party? He might want to stay away (or come nearer to) any spiked punches.

The director of these types of movies are usually in the background, these family films spring up almost of their own volition. But helmsman David Bowers adds some nice touches, including a picture montage of Roderick’s party, and a scenically overdone talent show that includes a precisely shot version of the song “Memory” (which inserts a surprising tear rolling down a cheek). All these touches make the film a little more modern and less cheesy.

Dear Old Dad: Steve Zahn in ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules’ Photo credit: Twentieth Century Fox Films

The bottom line is that the Wimpy Kid family have struggles and triumphs that are closer to reality, which is probably what makes the book series so beloved. To produce familiarity and humor out of a still daunting institution (family) is fairly special in a splintered age. Not that there is anything wrong with that, or the film series so far.

Brothers will be brothers, middle schools are still strange and slow burning Dads are out there trying to make sense of it all. This is all part of the weirdness of life, and the Wimpy Kid and Company celebrate that in this charming “family fare.”

By PATRICK McDONALD Senior Staff Writer HollywoodChicago.com [email protected]