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

Comments

[Comment #26]

wow i<3 diary of a wimpy kid

[Comment #27]

I have all the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books and I saw the first movie. I even have a Diary of a Wimpy Kid poster in my room. I cant wait too see the second movie. Diary of a Wimpy Kid rocks!!!! Peace

[Comment #28]

I can't wait! I have the first movie and have read every book! My favorite is the new book, The Ugly Truth! I own every single book! I am a HUGE Fan!

[Comment #29]

I can't wait 2 see it!!!!!!!!!!

[Comment #30]

Great book and hopefully a great movie, but judging by the comments and the review not to mention the trailer the movie is going to be AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Comment #31]

I SAW THE MOVIE CANT WAIT TILL READ THE BOOK

[Comment #32]

I like dairy of a wimpy kid i have all the books i just needd 1.so i am glad ther on earth see yo latter

[Comment #33]

wow! I love diary of a wimpy kid! Jeff Kinney is funny and awesome to be a kids writer! Jeff Kinney is better than J.K. Rowling! BETTER THAN POTTER!

[Comment #34]

I HEART DIARY OF A WIMPY KID! GO GREG! GO ROWLEY! GO RODRICK! GO MANNY! AND EVERYONE ELSE!

[Comment #35]

I <3 Diary of a Wimpy Kid SOOOOOOO much! I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to see the new one!

[Comment #36]

I believe that Diary of a Wimpy Kid books are great. I think I've read almost all of them!!!! I wonder how the movies are????? I haven't seen any!!!!!!!!!

[Comment #37]

i luv diary of a wimpy kid 1 & 2 p.s. Rodrick is sooooooo funny

[Comment #38]

yeah i cant wait for Rodrick rules

[Comment #39]

Rodrick rules should be one
of the best movies of dariy of a wimpy kid movies.

[Comment #40]

i agree with saphire the movies are good but the books are better

[Comment #41]

i love that movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Comment #42]

i luv it too. the movie and book are the best lol i luv it sooo much i almost peed myself when i watched in the movies!!!

[Comment #43]

I love Diary of the Wimpy kid!! I saw the Rodrick rules movie and it's AWESOME!!!!!

[Comment #44]

My parents r devorised and I live with my mom and i see my dad every other weekend!! I have the book at my dad's house so I bearly get to read it but so far its a grest book. :)!!!

[Comment #45]

I've seen the movie already, and I think it's the best so far.

[Comment #46]

I think it's alright. It won't be my favorite favorite, though

[Comment #47]

didn't see it yet but i'd like to

[Comment #48]

i looooooooooooooove the movie

[Comment #49]

I've seen the movie "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" but not Rodrick rules! Although I don't think Rodrick rules (my opinion) beacause he's a bully! Gregory is the one I prefer.

[Comment #50]

They say that the movie better. And it is! I mean that is my opinion. The book is o.k. I guess...L.O.L.!!!