Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: Roderick Rules (2011)

 

Apparently the same formula from the first film has just been used: a kid goes to school, faces many hurdles there and at home, and just ends up in various predicaments. But this time, he has a crush on a new girl named Holly Hills, and he wants to make a connection with her.

 

This movie is almost the same as the last one; the only difference is that Gregg has a new teacher, who happens to know his brother Roderick. Of course when "Heffley" sprang up, the teacher reflected on his last pupil Roderick and likened Gregg to his carbon copy. So as it appears, it is the case in this movie where Gregg gets into trouble in this session unlike the last time, proving this teacher's expectation. For instance, Gregg stupidly rewrites Roderick's flunked assignment, without reading it himself! Secondly, he is caught passing a note around to Holly, only for it to reach his adversary Patty Farrell.

 

Gregg jests on how he wishes he could give them away--typical imagination of a boy whose own flesh and blood are evil and mischievous. He not only has to put up with Roderick's antics, but also with Manny's. In fact, Manny is so innocent in his mother's eyes that she pampers him a lot because of his age.



So if it is not Manny's damaging Gregg's games console with a cookie, it is his clumsy handling of a chocolate bar which Gregg unknowingly sits on. And to make matters worse, Roderick exposes this as a "poop stain" by dragging Gregg's sweater, and Gregg himself does something so gross that he renders this scene as the most disturbing in the movie; so disturbing that mentioning it is woeful enough! It is after causing such a scene that Susan chastises them, but does so in several different locations. Was she doing so more than once, or was her reprimand shared over several scenes?
And if that is not enough, there is this scene at a retirement home where Gregg accidentally runs into a ladies' room in his underwear; when he is caught as a peeping Tom (urgh!), he is pursued and grabbed by the old ladies! That is nasty! I bet the boy actor wasn't acting at all after that ordeal. Besides, no child is keen on such physical contact at all.



And how about this scene at the talent show? I guess the audience can show who deserves the most applause. I myself would prefer the magic show by Rowley and Gregg, because Patty Farrell's was just unbearable. I know her to be arrogant and brash, so for her to dress up and sing like some renowned artiste (genre indeterminable) is completely dubious. But her performance makes her more talented than "Loded Diper's". These guys' songs are as gross as their name (appropriate enough); their song "Exploding Diaper" stinks, literally and metaphorically speaking, yet they just don't know when they jump the shark.



Along with the adventures Gregg and Roderick embark on, there are several disagreements which suffice when the secret house party is unravelled. It can be sad to see how two warring brothers finally get along with each other, only to be back to square one. Of course this is also the part where Frank and Susan (the Heffley dad and mom) blow their fuses. It must be hilarious to watch them flare up when their sons disgrace the family image (even though the two themselves pretty much do more than the boys, in the presence of their guests!).



Did Roderick really think changing the door instead of painting over the subtleties of the movie Roderick Rules was smart? I think Gregg should have spent more time in the basement and searched for the white paint. If it comes to covering up anything to implicate them of breaching their parents' trust, Gregg is more proficient at it than Roderick.



Fun times occur at school, and at home. At least Gregg and Rowley do not have to sit on the floor in the canteen. But I just saw other kids like them in the previous grade suffer the same treatment. I guess that is the regime at school.



How does Gregg make himself popular? He conjures up this "invisible Chirag" joke, by pretending that Chirag is non-existent. I have got to admit, he would make it into the school year book as a class clown; that definitely fits his status.



Adventures occur, ups and downs happen. This movie operates on the same formula as the last one. The only real consolation is that we can listen to a selection of music that fits into certain scenes of the movie. There are hilarious moments and disturbing moments. A child could watch, but an adult could dismiss it.