To Greg Heffley middle school is the dumbest idea ever invented. Its a place rigged with hundreds of social landmines not the least of which are morons wedgies swirlies bullies lunchtime banishment to the cafeteria floor - and a festering piece of cheese with nuclear cooties. To survive the never-ending ordeal and attain the recognition and status he feels he so richly deserves Greg devises an endless series of cant-miss schemes all of which of course go awry. And hes getting it all down on paper via a diary - its NOT a diary its a journal! Greg insists preferring the less-sissyfied designation - filled with his opinions thoughts tales of family trials and tribulations and (would-be) schoolyard triumphs. One day when Im famous writes Greg Ill have better things to do than answer peoples stupid questions all day. So was born the Wimpy Kids diary.
Review
Unlike most movies dealing with adolescence (especially in school) this one doesn't preach or condescend. And it doesn't try too hard to be a good movie or take itself seriously (at least not too seriously). What's more the movie is (mostly) unpredictable. Especially fun is the moldy cheese sequence! It would have been nice to get to know the parents a little more. One quibble though What exactly is the purpose of Chloe Moretz's character She seems to only be around to give these two boys advice (or something like that). It's never explained what kind of person she is. Anyway if you found your middle school years to be anything but satisfying you will not only enjoy the picture but relate to it as well.
*** out of ****