Rodrick Rules Movie Review!
One of the fantastic perks of working for Scholastic is that sometimes when a new movie comes out, I get to see an advance screening of that movie. The studios, like 20th Century Fox, have a preview of the movie for "media" in a screening room somewhere in New York or L.A. So I pile into a tiny theater with other members of the media - like other web, magazine, or TV writers - and we get to watch the movie before it hits theaters.
In February, I got to see an advance screening of (drumroll please) Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules (rated PG)! A full month before it would come out in theaters! And after being a fan of the books series, and looooving the first movie, I have to tell you I was psyched.
In Rodrick Rules, much like the book it follows, Greg and his tormenting older brother Rodrick are forced to get along by their mother. She devises a system of awarding them "mom bucks" for each hour of quality time they spend together. Of course Rodrick loves making Greg's life miserable, so we know there's gonna be problems.
When their parents leave them at home alone overnight, Rodrick throws a party, and locks Greg in the basement. But after Greg gets free, they end up actually having a good time together and bonding. Until Greg is forced to tell his mom what happened, and Rodrick finds out.
Along the way, there are tons of hilarious moments. It was especially fun to see the drawings from the book come to life. Like when Greg sat on a candy bar on the way to church, and was forced to go into church with "poop" on his pants. Or when Greg gets stuck in the ladies room at grampa's retirement home, and is mistaken for a Peeping Tom.
And one of my LOL moments came when Greg and Rodrick landed in a dumpster outside a convenience store. I won't tell you what happens. . . but I will tell you it involves a rat.
I can't decide if I liked Rodrick Rules or the first movie better. I'm still on the fence. But overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the sweet story of brotherly love. The movie definitely played on that more than in the book. And I laughed my pants off at the torture it involved! And like in the movies, everything always turns out all right.
What do you guys think? Are you Wimpy Kid fans? Have you read the interviews with the actors here last week? Will you see the movie? Drop a line and let me know in the Comments.
And for more Wimpy Kid coverage, check out this report from the Scholastic Kids Press Corps. One of their lucky reporters even got to attend a publicity event for the movie and chat with author, Jeff Kinney!
— Ratha, Stacks Writer
I cant wait till the new movie comes out I AM A HUGE FAN OF DIARY OF A WIMPY KID. I LOVE THE BOOKS AND THE MOVIE!!! I HAVE READ ALL THE BOOKS AND CANT WAIT TILL THE NEXT MOVIE COMES OUT!!!!!!
Comment #1 | Posted by: mystery101139 on March 25, 2011 at 03:53 AM
I bet rodrick rules is going to be so awsome
Comment #2 | Posted by: christian on March 25, 2011 at 08:59 AM
the diry of the wimpy kid is awsome so so so cool
Comment #3 | Posted by: r2 on March 25, 2011 at 10:40 AM
i like dairy of a wimpimk kid moves and it one and two
Comment #4 | Posted by: studys on March 25, 2011 at 11:27 AM
i think rodrick is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Comment #5 | Posted by: taylor lautenerlover on March 25, 2011 at 12:44 PM
I luv Diary of a Wimpy
Comment #6 | Posted by: rock255 on March 25, 2011 at 03:41 PM
this mvie will be so so awesome!i have evry lst book and i luv them so the mvie will be good 2! L8R.
Comment #7 | Posted by: crazydog88 on March 25, 2011 at 05:00 PM
OMG i can not WAIT!!!! this will be soooooooooo cool!!!
Comment #8 | Posted by: anna on March 25, 2011 at 05:11 PM
I ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ DIARY OF A WIMPY KID IT IS THE GREATEST THING ON EARTH I WOULD MARRY IT IF I COULD IT IS THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment #9 | Posted by: Harlequin on March 25, 2011 at 05:13 PM
I might see it this weekend with my cousin.
Comment #10 | Posted by: Alexis on March 25, 2011 at 05:29 PM
It looks AWESOME!
Comment #11 | Posted by: Kate on March 25, 2011 at 05:34 PM
I get to see the movie tonight with my best friend! I am so excited!
Comment #12 | Posted by: Ilovedots on March 25, 2011 at 06:14 PM
i love diary of a wimpy kid movie i think this will be the best yet
Comment #13 | Posted by: peyton on March 25, 2011 at 08:34 PM
I love Diary Of A Wimpy Kid! It rocks
Comment #14 | Posted by: elephant55 on March 25, 2011 at 10:24 PM
I want to see the Dia of a Whimpy Kid 2 Rodrick Rules Sooooo Bad I am ging to see it on Sunday
Comment #15 | Posted by: Makenzie on March 25, 2011 at 11:23 PM
D'you think they're gonna make a third one?
Comment #16 | Posted by: GryffindorWolf on March 26, 2011 at 08:05 AM
i think they dairy of whimpy kid is really good, and i find the movie is better than the books
Comment #17 | Posted by: pinkygirltwo on March 26, 2011 at 09:17 AM
sweat i am allreaty happy to see it
Comment #18 | Posted by: aldsmiles on March 26, 2011 at 09:42 AM
i am allreaty happy to see your new movie
Comment #19 | Posted by: aldsmiles on March 26, 2011 at 09:45 AM
i really want to see the movie and i will agree what all of you said because diary of a wimpy kid is like the best thing that has ever came out in history
Comment #20 | Posted by: kiki99 on March 26, 2011 at 09:46 AM
I'm really looking foward to watching it. I like all the books.
Comment #21 | Posted by: Athena Cahill on March 26, 2011 at 12:20 PM
this sounds awsome.
Comment #22 | Posted by: wewered on March 26, 2011 at 01:56 PM
the movies are good, but the books are even better. they're sooooo funny!!!
Comment #23 | Posted by: saphire on March 26, 2011 at 04:38 PM
It's soooo ironic, because i like just an hour ago finished watching the movie the 2nd time.But anyways, i'm psyched to see the next one!!
Comment #24 | Posted by: Kenna K on March 26, 2011 at 05:04 PM
Diary of A Wimpy Kid is the best book that was ever written. I have all the books including The Ugly Truth and saw the first movie. I am probably going to see the second one on Sunday.
Comment #25 | Posted by: Johanny on March 26, 2011 at 07:01 PM