There’s plenty of gross-out humor, but maybe they go for that stuff. The moms I’ve talked to weren’t into it because they get enough potty humor at home all day. I’m guessing that tweens aged 8 to 11 who’ve read the books (there’s a bunch of them) might want to see it. My kids are 12 and 15, and neither of them seemed the least bit interested in seeing it. I’ve been trying to figure out who this movie’s core audience is. Greg writes in the journal because “one day when I’m famous, I'll have better things to do than answer peoples' stupid questions all day.” Can’t argue with that. Greg chronicles all of his middle school adventures in his journal (it says “diary” on the outside, but “it’s a journal, Mom, not a diary!”). Of course, all of these schemes go awry and it turns out that Rowley was right all along.
Greg has a different philosophy, which involves a series of schemes to escalate his standing on the social ladder. Rowley’s theory is to just be himself, and everyone will like him.
His best friend is Rowley Jefferson (Robert Capron), a chubby kid who’s a delightfully dorky misfit on the outside, but ends up being the cool hero in the end. Basically, Greg’s goal is to make it out of middle school alive. Greg is at that awkward age (11) where he’s just entering middle school, a landmine of morons, wedgies, swirlies, bullies, lunchtime faux pas, and a festering piece of cheese with plutonium-like cooties. Maybe I’m just not into the gross-out humor of boogers, poop and pee, of which there is plenty in this movie.
I haven’t read the books, but can only imagine that they outshine the movie by several thousand light bulbs. Review: Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a live-action adaptation of Jeff Kinney’s illustrated book about wise-cracking middle schooler Greg Heffley (Zachary Gordon). Overall, though, the message of friendship and being yourself is a good one for kids. Will Parents Like It? Parents probably get enough potty humor at home without getting it at the movies. Which Kids Will Like It? Kids 8 to 11 who’ve read the books by Jeff Kinney. Also references to snot, boogers and farts. Profanity: Insults include “dumb,” “moron,” “stupid,” “jerk,” and the word “freakin’” is used. A girl taunts Greg and beats him up in front of the whole school. Greg’s older brother threatens to kill him. Bullies menace Greg and Rowley, and in one scene, they force Rowley to do something gross. Greg says he’s heard girls say that a boy has “a cute butt.” A few glimpses of boys sitting on toilets or peeing (but no nudity). Sex/Nudity: Greg’s older brother has a biker babe magazine with a scantily clad woman on the cover. MPAA Rating: PG for some rude humor and languageĬast: Zachary Gordon, Robert Capron, Chloe Grace Moretz, Steve Zahn, Rachael Harris