Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Or, I’m a kid, so?

See things from the boy’s point of view.
Robert Baden-Powell

Director:  Thor Freudenthal
Writers: Jackie Filgo, Jeff Filgo

Stars:  Zachary Gordon,  Robert Capron,  Rachael Harris,  Steve Zahn,  Devon Bostick, and  Chloë Moretz.

This might be the best tween film out there. If I had a young son (7-10 years old) I’d want him to see it.

Plot: Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a 2010 American live-action/partly animated  comedy film and based on the book in the illustrated novel series  of the same title by  Jeff Kinney. The film was released on March 19, 2010. It was released on  DVD and  Blu-ray on August 3, 2010. 

There is tons of angst for young people. We most often do not validate that. In the film 12-year-old  Greg Heffley ( Zachary Gordon) is anxious to start  middle school, confident he will easily become the school’s most popular kid. However, Greg worries about how his “uncool” best friend,  Rowley Jefferson ( Robert Capron), will fit in. While Rowley is a good friend who helps Greg escape his terrorizing older brother,  Rodrick ( Devon Bostick). Greg worries that Rowley’s “dorky” clothes and personality will embarrass both of them. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diary_of_a_Wimpy_Kid_%28film%29)

Greg’s mother buys him a diary that says ‘diary’ on the very front. He is sure this will get him killed. In it he draws cartoons. When his best-friend Rowley wins a cartoon competition against him, Greg is incensed.

The animation in the film is supposedly his drawings. His internal life is represented here: “There’s a fun blend of animation in with the live action to give the film a bit more congruency with the bestselling book by Jeff Kinney. Watching the animation draw itself onto the screen never feels distracting, forced, or overdone. It’s used just the proper amount to remind young kids exactly what they’re watching, and convey certain emotions and actions that work best when told through stick figures.” (http://www.cinemablend.com/dvds/Diary-of-a-Wimpy-Kid-4535.html)

Greg’s older brother,  Rodrick has a band called ‘loaded diaper’ (ha!) and whoa is he mean to Greg. At one point Greg barricades himself inside of his bedroom and re-emerges in full hockey padding because he wants to go to the bathroom.

Will LeBlanc says, Diary of a Wimpy Kid never reaches past the level of a kids movie. Sometimes there are smart bits of dialog and there’s one or two moments that will have you laughing even if you’re by yourself, but this movie targets little kids, and it hits the nail on the head. It’s fun, witty, and most of all a reminder that no matter how old we are, we were kids once, and most of us went through the same thing … (http://www.cinemablend.com/dvds/Diary-of-a-Wimpy-Kid-4535.html?)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is definitely aimed at kids but parents will enjoy it too.

I haven’t laughed so much in a while. There is something called “the touch of cheese.” Essentially, on the playground there is a moldy slice of cheese. Whoever touches it is treated like a leper. Not only that, but the cheese-touch can be passed on by simply touching another student. I find this hysterical but my sense of humour might not be yours.

Greg’s quest for popularity and year-book acclaim lead him to try various school activities which back-fire and he jeopardizes his friendship with Rowley, his surprisingly more popular “dorky” best-friend. I like that he goes on a self-journey. By the end of the film, he learns stuff.

This film does not ‘train’ boys. There are no sports or violence – it explores identity rather. Many films relegate the internal life of youngsters to the sidelines. Boys and feelings are a no-no it seems. It is nice to see a good film which explores a facet of male youth we just don’t usually see.

I hope that this film enables a dialog between kids and adults. At the very least adults might have insight into the minds of some young people.  See, there is so much baloney out there regarding young men that stepping outside of that is brave in my opinion
Diary of a Wimpy Kid does challenge expectations about male behavior.

I highly recommend this film for kids.