MOVIE NEWS: Diary of a Wimpy Kid
We talk about a lot of things here on the OWL blog, but one thing I have never talked about is the Diary of a Wimpy Kid book series. (A huge oversight on my part!) However, at least four of you have brought it up in the comments. So, when I got a chance to check out the new movie based on the series, I jumped
at it.
For those who haven’t read the books, Diary of a Wimpy Kid is about a middle school kid named Greg Heffley. He’s an average guy with an above-average ability to get into trouble, and the story’s all about him navigating the halls of his school, trying (and most often failing) to earn cool points and popularity.
Here are a few observations about the movie:
1) It’s innovative! Going into the movie, I didn’t know how the filmmakers were going to use the illustrations from the book series — if they were going to use them at all. But they did! And to hilarious effect. So the movie is a mix of live-action and animation. Bonus: a lot of the illustrations in the movie are animated versions of ones from the book. Speaking of which…
2) It’s similar to the book! Unlike Percy Jackson and the Olympians, another recent movie based on the first book of a popular series, almost everything that happens in Diary of a Wimpy Kid (the movie) happens in Diary of a Wimpy Kid (the book). Still, fans of the series will definitely notice some differences: things happen out of order and a couple characters have been either blown up in importance or invented altogether. However…
3) It doesn’t present the main character as a very likable guy. Strange, I know, but the movie version of Greg Heffley is not only self-centered and a little egotistical — he’s downright mean at times. After a while, I stopped feeling bad when things went wrong for him, which is never a great thing when he’s on the screen nine out of every 10 seconds. But, hey, at least Greg’s best friend, Rowley, is still awesome!
All that said, I think fans of the book series will be pretty pleased — and newcomers to the Wimpy world won’t be left out of the fun. This movie definitely doesn’t require an encyclopedic knowledge of the series to be enjoyed.
And that’s it from me, guys! If you go see it this weekend (at least two of you have said you’re basing your birthday parties around it; also, happy birthday you two!), come back here and let me know what you thought.
Talk to you next week.
Craig, owlblog@owlkids.com
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I don’t plan to see this movie. I never wanted to read the series and never will. It’s not my thing. Sorry.
My friend is going to a diary of a wimpy kid based birthday party! wierd. I hope the movie is good! I’ve read all the books.
I have heard that Diary of a wimpy kid is gonna be the awesomest movie ever. I really look forward to my turn to go see it and I hope those of you who see it first let the rest of us know what you think.
My mom wrote some of this for me but she says the blackberry is for tiny fingers like mine. LOL
I agree with Katie(the author). No offense to anyone. I whent to whistler yesterday! To see the paralypics, and I got a bunch of athletes autographs, including a canadian!
I hope the movie is good! I’ve read all the books.
I read ONE of the books and i d’ont plan on seeing the movie. What’s so special about it?My friends saw it and they said it was nothing special.
I sadly agree with Katie. I just don’t see it as very interesting for me! But I did see Alice in Wonderland yesterday! It was so totally awesome and really fun! XD (not to mention really scary as well at times!)
oh yaya…..I WANT TO SEE IT SOOOOOOO BAD!!!!!!!!!
It sounds really funny….I want to see it..
You know, to me, the character under the bleachers made it all worthwhile.
Good point, Liam. She was great. Funny that she is the one character in the movie who’s not in the book, though, don’t you think?
@ alex: Wonder how that works out?
Awesome book series, although, I guess he is kinda self-centered when it isn’t from his own point of view… ;: )
I read the books but don’t really want to watch the movie, but I’ll think about it.P.S.I agree with Hailey about the self-senteredness…