Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Reviews > New Release

2010 | |

Director:

Starring: , , , , ,

PM rating: ★★★☆☆

Written by Gabriella Apicella

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On DVD/Blu-Ray

Based on the illustrated novel of the same name, itself based on a series of online cartoons, Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid arrives in the cinema in live action form.  It is always a tricky task taking loveable pencil-drawn characters and turning them into real human beings that emote and articulate in equally entertaining ways, and for fans of the original illustrations, it may prove difficult to reconcile the two.  Having never been a regular reader of the New York Times however, (being based in London, after all) the publishing phenomenon of Wimpy Kid has passed me by, so coming to this film with no preconceptions I was happily impressed and surprised by the cynical, manipulative, occasionally shallow, sometimes cowardly, and consistently selfish Greg “Wimpy Kid” Heffley.

In recent years there seems to have been a patronising consensus amongst all makers of child-targeted entertainment to ensure that syrupy lessons about inner-beauty dribble across every frame.  Although those worthy messages are eventually arrived at in this film, we do first learn that all Greg really wants is to be the most popular kid in school (who on the cusp of their teens doesn’t?).  As he sets out to achieve this in a variety of shallow ways (wearing cool clothes; not “playing” with the uncool kids) that, let’s face it, most adults tend to still adhere to well into their late twenties, it’s easy to feel nostalgically taken with Greg: he’s the embodiment of all the wrong, rude, unfair and unkind things that you’re not really meant to say as the cute central character of a mainstream Hollywood kids film.  And it’s hard not to like a kid like that!

Refreshingly there is no angst, no romance, no dick jokes, no sexism, (and no vampires) in this movie, just cynicism, a touch of sarcasm, and a great deal of bitterness, at being in that awkward stage where you’re not quite a kid, but you’re definitely not a teenager just yet.  With a truly horrible big brother thrown in for a dash of sadistic bullying, and inept parents there to embarrass and misunderstand at every turn, there’s plenty to identify with for kids of a certain age – even if that age is when, like myself, you’re not a teenager anymore, but you’re pretty far from being a grown-up too!


Last edited: 11th September 2010

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  • Susan R.

    Diary of a Wimpy Kid Movie is pure fun entertainment!

    This is an excellent adaptation of the New York Times Best Selling Book Series that has been translated into 32 languages and has sold more than 40,000,000 million copies. The movie does a great job at bringing the cartoon stick figures to life. Especially the main character of the movie, Greg Heffley (played brilliantly by kid actor Zachary Gordon). This is Greg’s story and he is the writer and narrator as well.

    The movie is a very clever take on a very difficult time in one’s life..middle school. That’s the one place no one ever wants to go back to. Greg tries to navigate and survive this experience, but everything goes wrong. There are so many scenes in this movie that will have you laughing out loud and I don’t just mean the teens…the adults will really enjoy this movie as much.

    The cast did an excellent job in their respective parts. The movie flows well, the jokes and real life expereiences are really hilarious. If you can’t find a dozen things to relate to in this movie, then you must have been raised on another planet. The movie is sharp, witty, and a fun trip through the perils of relationships, school life, and family problems that we can all relate to. It isn’t an epic movie, it isn’t a culturally twisted movie or boring ethnic bent either . It is real people, like you and me, in real experiences that just turn out to be so funny and so identifiable for anyone to relate to.

    This is a must see movie for everyone from 10 years old on up. If you want to laugh and be entertained…Diary of a Wimpy Kid is definitely worth the ticket!

  • Susan R.

    Diary of a Wimpy Kid Movie is pure fun entertainment!

    This is an excellent adaptation of the New York Times Best Selling Book Series that has been translated into 32 languages and has sold more than 40,000,000 million copies. The movie does a great job at bringing the cartoon stick figures to life. Especially the main character of the movie, Greg Heffley (played brilliantly by kid actor Zachary Gordon). This is Greg’s story and he is the writer and narrator as well.

    The movie is a very clever take on a very difficult time in one’s life..middle school. That’s the one place no one ever wants to go back to. Greg tries to navigate and survive this experience, but everything goes wrong. There are so many scenes in this movie that will have you laughing out loud and I don’t just mean the teens…the adults will really enjoy this movie as much.

    The cast did an excellent job in their respective parts. The movie flows well, the jokes and real life expereiences are really hilarious. If you can’t find a dozen things to relate to in this movie, then you must have been raised on another planet. The movie is sharp, witty, and a fun trip through the perils of relationships, school life, and family problems that we can all relate to. It isn’t an epic movie, it isn’t a culturally twisted movie or boring ethnic bent either . It is real people, like you and me, in real experiences that just turn out to be so funny and so identifiable for anyone to relate to.

    This is a must see movie for everyone from 10 years old on up. If you want to laugh and be entertained…Diary of a Wimpy Kid is definitely worth the ticket!

  • Tammie Z.

    The “Diary of a Wimpy Kid Movie” is just great!

    Simply a wonderful, enjoyable film for everyone. Couldn’t have been more pleased. Hit the spot for great film entertainment and lots of laughs for kids and adults. One of the better entertainment values this year.

    Recommended Highly! Rating: 5 out of 5.

  • Tammie Z.

    The “Diary of a Wimpy Kid Movie” is just great!

    Simply a wonderful, enjoyable film for everyone. Couldn’t have been more pleased. Hit the spot for great film entertainment and lots of laughs for kids and adults. One of the better entertainment values this year.

    Recommended Highly! Rating: 5 out of 5.