Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules

“Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules” adds just as much to entertainment as a wimpy kid would to a wrestling team. However, there are a few strengths that a wimpy kid gives to the wrestling team.

“Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules” continues the story of Greg Heffley (Zachary Gordon) this time in seventh grade. The story is difficult to describe because it more like little stories that kinda-sorta fit together. The main story-line, however, follows the relationship between Greg and his brother Rodrick (Devon Bostick) including numerous fights, a party while the parents are gone and Rodrick’s band that’s trying to get into the local talent show.

Also, Greg and his best friend Rowley (Robert Capron) try to deal with school. Greg tries to get the attention of a girl, Holly (Peyton R. List) with multiple methods that never seem to work.

Although the plot fails to all that defined and different from most films it still manages to maintain the audience’s attention. It doesn’t exactly reach out and grab the audience nor is there on the edge of your seat anticipation, but the stories are interesting enough and most of the characters are real enough that the audience won’t fall asleep (probably).

The characters are unique, not necessarily to all movies, but within the story they are different from each other which gives the movie a well-rounded cast of characters. Greg, although I wouldn’t call him “wimpy” as much as awkward and always in the wrong place at the wrong time but provides a solid central character. Rodrick is the exact opposite; he’s a cool, slacker older brother with his own band called Loded Diaper. Rowley plays the supportive best friend who is hesitant to disobey the rules.

The two brothers are played well by Gordon and Bostick making the audience feel that they are really two brothers who don’t get along. Gordon is also gives his character life as he thrust into embarrassing situation one after the other even though he just wants to look cool. Bostick gives some emotion to his character in some scenes that shows his disappointment and anger to the audience that helps them connect to his character.

However, all the other characters merely give a mediocre performance. The parents played by Rachel Harris and Steve Zahn act really over the top and give their performances a fakey feel to it. Also the mom is a little obnoxious as she tries to get the two brothers to get along and she is totally clueless as to what is really going on.

Some of the events that transpire in “Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules” are unrealistic and the chances of it all happening are slim which makes the movie harder for audiences to relate to. However, there are events that happen that would really happen in a junior high setting and it reminds audiences of those junior high (or foretell it to younger audiences).

The majority of the comedy isn’t all that laugh out loudy. It might entice a few chuckles here and there or even a “Ha that was funny” thoughts. This is mostly due to the jokes being insanely predictable, there is not a laugh that in the movie that the audience doesn’t see coming. Some are merely funny because they show the brothers acting like brothers and it does it well, so audiences can laugh thinking of their own siblings.

“Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules” isn’t that bad if for junior high boys or people who think like junior high boys. Or even for those who want to reminisce on those awkward junior high years. In some ways, it’s almost a “Ramona and Beezus” for boys with the relationship between Greg and Rodrick, which is the only completely solid part of this movie as far as acting, story, realism and laughs.