DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: RODRICK RULES

US, 2011, 99 minutes. Colour.
Zachary Gordon, Devon Bostick, Rachael Harris, Robert Capron, Steve Zahn.
Directed by David Bowers.

For a favourable review of the two Wimpy Kid movies, you would need something written by a very tolerant and understanding parent or else a definitely-not-wimpy kid who identifies with the two brothers, especially older brother, Rodrick.

There is a tradition in American movies and television series that kids have to be outspoken (outspeaking their parents often enough), argumentative even bickering, and not afraid to tell their parents off (or else hide the truth from them or just plain lie). These films are strongly in that tradition.

Maybe Greg, the title’s wimpy kid, is a bit wimpish but, if he has anything to do with it, that won’t last long. His brother, Rodrick, must never have been wimpy. He dominates, does what he likes, manipulates his parents, picks on Greg and ridicules him. He is obnoxious personified. Greg often seems to be on the way to this life path and pattern. It is hard to find any redeeming features in them, even though Greg, rather begrudgingly does a good turn at the end but is really happy only when people respond favourably to him and his friend, Rowley, and their magic performance.

Actually, Rowley is much more of a wimpy kid, pudgy but friendly, earnest and extremely tolerant of how Greg treats him. We could have done with more of Rowley in each of the films.

Perhaps, you are drawing a conclusion that I am not fond of these films. You’re right.

1. The popularity of the books, the sketches and illustrations? The target audience, children, parents?

2. The comedy, spoof – serious underlying values, questions?

3. The American town, the houses, school, the classes, parties, concert?

4. The music, the rock ‘n roll, the musical score, songs from Cats?

5. Greg as the wimpy boy, or not? His capacity for mischief? How different was he from Rodrick? His own vanity, pushing Rowley and Gupta, focus on Holly and the girls, his reaction to the teachers, lying to his parents, clashes with Rodrick? Ordinary teenager and/or the touch of the nasty?

6. Rodrick, his age, selfish, vain, with his band, tricking Greg, the chocolate stain in the church, with his friends, the clash with the new member of the band, lying to his parents, the party, cleaning up? Any redeeming features?

7. The picture of the parents, the mother, her principles, kind to her children, writing the articles in the paper, with each of her children, the reaction to the party, the bathroom door, her being humiliated by the pictures of the party, the editor and his wife leaving? Dad, easygoing, soft, forbidding the party, the reaction to the bathroom door? The spoilt baby?

8. Rowley, Greg and his friendship, sharing with Greg, the magic, his visits, watching the horror film and the fright, his father bringing him home, coming to the party, rescuing Greg, in the basement? Inviting Greg to help him, Greg’s refusal to help with the magic, the concert, Greg relenting, the success?

9. Fregley, gawky, the audience laughing at him, the pizza and the contents, the note, his hair?

10. Gupta, taunts, the boys playing soccer, his going to India, his coming back, Greg pretending not to see him, his revenge by pretending to be Holly?

11. Patti, her taunts, the seat in class, the note, her singing Cats?

12. Holly, nice, the new family, going to church, calling Greg Flegley, Greg liking her, the skating rink, his mother on the loudspeaker, her apology about calling him Flegley, talking, praising his magic?

13. The party, Rodrick and Greg, the disobedience, texting, everybody coming, the mess, putting Greg in the basement, his phone call, his mother ringing, Rowley coming to rescue him? The aftermath, cleaning up, the lies to the parents?

14. Their mother demanding the truth from them, Greg and his going to the concert, Rodrick punished by not being in the band?

15. The band, the new member, visiting, talking, the meal, the father’s reaction? On the night? Rodrick coming back?

16. Greg and his offer, letting Rodrick play in the band? Helping Rowley, their success?

17. Boys will be boys – or mischief and nastiness, the jokes and the serious themes?