If you were ever tormented by an older sibling you will surely relate to the newest installment of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules. In case you didn’t see the first movie, these movies are based on the books by Jeff Kinney and follow the adventures, or should I say misadventures, of middle school student Greg Heffley. Rodrick, Greg’s older brother, is a big slacker. He sleeps a good deal of time and when he’s not, he’s either toturing his little brother or playing with his band — Loded Diper.
Greg and his friends are back in school after summer break. They are happy not to be little sixth graders anymore. They are also excited to find that a new girl, Holly Hills, will be going to their school. Greg develops an immediate crush and all his friends say he doesn’t stand a chance. Every time Greg tries to approach Holly something goes awry. From Rodrick changing the slow song to hard rock at the skating rink to a passed note winding up in the wrong hands, Greg can’t seem to get his moment with Holly.
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The brothers hear about a local talent show and Rodrick seems to think it will be his big break. Much to their parents’ dismay, he even finds a new guitarist for the band who appears to be at least 30 years old. Despite his age, Bill acts like a 15 year old. The boys’ mother is desperately trying to get the older two boys to get along. She even offers to pay them “mom bucks” when they do something together. These bucks are actually play money from a board game. Rodrick beats the system when he finds out he can purchase old games at thrift stores to accentuate his stash of “mom bucks.”
The brothers go head to head when their parents take their little brother and go away for the weekend. The older boys are instructed to stay home and work out their differences. They are told that they are to have no one in the house. Well, the moment the door shuts, Rodrick texts his friends to tell them he’s having a party. Rodrick locks Greg in the basement and is partying away when the phone rings and Mom’s name apears on the caller ID. Rodrick shouts for silence and has his mom fooled and then Greg picks up the basement phone. Rodrick is afraid Greg will tell, so he let’s him join the party. The next day, the boys wake to a phone call from Mom saying they will be home soon. The boys work together and clean everything up. They even change the door on the bathroom with one from the basement because someone had written “Rodrick Rules” on it. Greg notices something at the last minute — there is no lock on the new door and there was one on the old door. How long will it be before their parents notice? So now the brothers had a shared mission — deny, deny, deny.
The brothers actually start getting along to the point where Rodrick gives Greg advice and even takes him out for a night of fun which consists of pigging out on junk food and having fun with fake vomit. The brotherly love is cut short when Mom notices the lock. Rodrick lies but when pressured Greg caves and says it was only a few of the band members, not a party. He begs Mom not to say anything because he and Rodrick are getting along. Against her better judgement, she agrees. Dad eventually discovers proof of the party when he downloads photos of what he thinks is a war reenactment and it’s pics from the party that Greg had taken. Both boys are grounded and Rodrick is told he cannot perform in the talent show. Rodrick is once again out to get Greg.
The night of the talent show comes and Mom and Dad take the older boys. They learn that Rowley’s assistant for his magic act has backed out due to stage fright. Mom suggests Greg be the assistant. He takes her aside and begs her no to make him do it because it would be embarrassing. She agrees. They watch some of the show and then notice Rodrick’s band backstage. Greg overhears them tell Rodrick they are going to go on without him. Greg asks Mom if he helps Rowley with his magic act, can Rodrick perform with his band. She is so happy that Greg is willing to do something he doesn’t want to do in order to help his brother, she says “yes.” Rowley and Greg are a hit and the show closes with Loded Diper and Mom doing a crazy dance on the wing of the stage. Once again Rodrick and Greg were friends, sort of. AND Loded Diper and Mom get over a million hits on youtube.
Our Rating
Mom: A
Dad: B+
The Kid: A+++++++
Positives: During the party scene, the high school students are obviously drinking soda pop. Many two liter bottles are seen. I think it is definitely a positive that no liquor was used in the movie. Rachel Harris and Steve Zahn are hilarious as the parents, but Devon Bostick steals the show as the maniacal Rodrick.
Minuses: Not as many school scenes or screen time for Rowley, Fregley, Patty and friends. I know some are bothered by potty humor…but I think a little is to be expected with this type of film. Having said that, the potty humor is pretty minimal and there was no swearing. Slang words like “butt” and “fart” are used. Rowley lip-syncs to Ke$ha’s “Tik Tok,” which includes lyrics about drinking and partying.
