Diary of a Wimpy Kid won't be this years blockbuster film for kids. It likely won't even be a huge hit but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable. Imaginative, outrageous, and funny the film definitely takes liberties in poking fun at itself, school, and being a pre-teen but in mostly good ways. If any youngster has even remotely similar problems at school or in life then Diary of a Wimpy Kid will make them see things in a light and fluffy and funny way. The film absolutely has a target demographic of pre-teen and slightly younger, but adults like myself will still have fun chuckling at the angst and antics of the kids and how serious all of it is to them. The lead character is so likable and his sketchings add imagination and laughs to the whole ordeal. Diary of a Wimpy Kid covers school, friends, family, and everything in between and does so with a simple, well written concept. Though I have never seen the books I have this feeling that this is really a terrific adaptation of the original novels. All four co-writers have extensive experience in writing for Television and in particular writing youth driven angst stories so this is easy for them.
At 12 Zachary Gordon already has easily a dozen credits under his belt and I think its easy to see why. He is charismatic and fun to watch and already has a surprising grasp on comedic concept. He has emotion, and realistic responses and best of all gives some terrific laughs. Relative newcomer Robert Capron does a solid job as Gordon's best friend but unfortunately (and perhaps on purpose) his character is rather more made fun of than taken seriously. He sort of gets the short end of every stick but if that's the way the character is than Capron nails it. Rachael Harris and the almost always amazing Steve Zahn play Gordon's parents. They don't have a huge role in the story but enough to make it effective and they are fun and easy to watch and silly in their own right. Devon Bostick is absolutely terrific as the tormenting older brother Rodrick. The chemistry between him and Gordon is palpable and perfectly delivered for laughs. Also a young professional already Chloe Moretz is good as a new girl friend for the boys. Unfortunately similarly to Capron she doesn't get a lot of depth to her character and hopefully any future instalments will explore her character more. Karan Brar and Grayson Russell round out the cast and do terrific jobs in the respective roles as friends. Brar delivers some amazing dead pan humour and Russell is that annoying, gross little geeky kid that nobody ever likes.
Director Thor Freudenthal has done several family films over the course of more than a decade but his projects are few and far between so perhaps he chooses his projects wisely. I think (and again I have never read the books so I could be totally off base) that he stayed true to the original concept, which is easier to do with children's books like this. Is the film perfect? No. I think it sits on a very fine line between poking fun and being cleverly humorous. Although I read a few reviews where adults said they thoroughly enjoyed it, its more of an 'aw that's cute' rather than thoroughly entertaining but if you have to sit through a kids film this is one you won't be disappointed seeing but at the same time you probably won't rush out to see this one solo if you're older than...11? A fun movie. 7/10
At 12 Zachary Gordon already has easily a dozen credits under his belt and I think its easy to see why. He is charismatic and fun to watch and already has a surprising grasp on comedic concept. He has emotion, and realistic responses and best of all gives some terrific laughs. Relative newcomer Robert Capron does a solid job as Gordon's best friend but unfortunately (and perhaps on purpose) his character is rather more made fun of than taken seriously. He sort of gets the short end of every stick but if that's the way the character is than Capron nails it. Rachael Harris and the almost always amazing Steve Zahn play Gordon's parents. They don't have a huge role in the story but enough to make it effective and they are fun and easy to watch and silly in their own right. Devon Bostick is absolutely terrific as the tormenting older brother Rodrick. The chemistry between him and Gordon is palpable and perfectly delivered for laughs. Also a young professional already Chloe Moretz is good as a new girl friend for the boys. Unfortunately similarly to Capron she doesn't get a lot of depth to her character and hopefully any future instalments will explore her character more. Karan Brar and Grayson Russell round out the cast and do terrific jobs in the respective roles as friends. Brar delivers some amazing dead pan humour and Russell is that annoying, gross little geeky kid that nobody ever likes.
Director Thor Freudenthal has done several family films over the course of more than a decade but his projects are few and far between so perhaps he chooses his projects wisely. I think (and again I have never read the books so I could be totally off base) that he stayed true to the original concept, which is easier to do with children's books like this. Is the film perfect? No. I think it sits on a very fine line between poking fun and being cleverly humorous. Although I read a few reviews where adults said they thoroughly enjoyed it, its more of an 'aw that's cute' rather than thoroughly entertaining but if you have to sit through a kids film this is one you won't be disappointed seeing but at the same time you probably won't rush out to see this one solo if you're older than...11? A fun movie. 7/10